Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia - Where Should I get a Consultation

Sjb2

I am 40 years old and went in for my first mammogram. I was surprised that I was called back in for a second set of mammograms on both breasts and an ultra sound on my right breast. Then a few days later I found out that I needed to have two biopsies. My right breast had a solid mass and I had an ultra sound guided biopsy done. My left breast had highly suspicious micro calcifications and I had a stereotactic biopsy done. My gynecologist called me with the results and they concluded that the right breast is a fibroadenoma. The left breast is not cancerous now but high risk for breast cancer so my gynecologist has suggested I go see a general surgeon to see if they recommend taking more tissue to test with a surgical biopsy. My doctor did recommend a general surgeon in my town but I am wondering if I should go to Colorado for the consultation. I live in Wyoming,which is pretty small, and I can't help but wonder if going into a bigger city would be beneficial or if it really matters. Does anyone have any thoughts on getting the consolation in a small town verses a bigger town?

jmayersf

If you have the option, I would be more inclined to go to a Breast Surgeon. If it were me, I would want the benefit of a specialist who has seen this many times and knows how to take a sample and get the margins. However, I am not sure that going to a another General Surgeon in a different town would make that much difference. Best of luck!

MTwoman

I second jmayersf's opinion. A breast surgeon is more likely to have a better sense of things than a general surgeon. When I presented with a lump, not a single person was concerned about it. Not the referring NP, not the Radiologist, who told me it was most likely "nothing to worry about." I pushed for the surgical consult, and the very first time he laid his hands on my lump he said, " I don't like it". He couldn't tell me why, but he was right. Get yourself to a good breast surgeon. Good luck!

MelissaDallas

Breast surgeons ARE General Surgeons. There is not a formal specialty for breast surgeons, but many general surgeons only do breasts and specialize in them. Check with who you have been referred to to see what the scope of their practice is.

MTwoman

MD, while I understand that breast surgeons are also general surgeons, general surgeons are certainly not all breast surgeons. A surgeon who specializes in breasts is what I meant, and on these boards BS (breast surgeon, i.e. a surgeon who specializes in breasts) is frequently used to describe the type of surgeon to look for. I'm not sure why you're being a bit picky about my terminology, the recommendation I made is the same as you're giving.

MinusTwo

Sjb - I would want to go to a surgeon who does mostly breasts for 365 days a year. That person will have the best chance to figure out where you stand. And yes, I do agree that a doc in a small town will not likely have the same experience as a major hospital. Not to say he or she might not be an excellent doc, just that they are unlikely to have seen as many variations.

You may not need a cancer center, but this link explains how to find an NCI cancer center

https://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-ce...