Ultrasound and 6 month follow up...scared

Tomlinfam6

I'm 37 and a mom of 4 and felt a lump last week so had an appt today for an ultrasound of the breast. I was hoping for an all clear, but instead my results are mixed. She said there is a solid mass with blood flow that was "probably benign", because it had defined borders and was flat and not raised. She said a 6 month follow up was recommended.

My thing is...if it's cancerous and just not showing those signs, 6 months is a long time to wait!

We have a medical bill sharing plan, so we have to pay up front for costs, and don't have to fight with insurance approval. So I almost just want to ask my dr to let me have it removed so I don't have to wait and wonder.

I'm sick with worry instead of relief. What would the cost be for an excisional biopsy or would they not do an excision because of it not having the serious signs of concern? I guess I just wonder if it's not 100% certain to be benign...I'd rather have it out? Wouldn't that be safer than wait and watch?

MTwoman

Tomlinfam, I am sorry you are here with breast health concerns, but you're jumping really far ahead of yourself. Take a breath. Going from seeing something on an US to "removal" without even stopping through the biopsy stage is not typically done. Because doctors don't want to remove healthy (b9) tissue, or cause many problems for future mammograms (scar tissue and post surgical changes will typically cause problems that then may also need to be followed closely), there is an actual process for determining what needs to happen next. Anything with even a 1-2% chance of being breast cancer is biopsied. Here is the process for bc diagnosis:

Did your report have a BIRADS number? (like BIRADS 3 or 4?) That number actually corresponds to a system of evaluating the level of concern based on the characteristics of the finding. Read more on that here:

http://breast-cancer.ca/bi-rads/

If you read through that site, you'll see that there is a lot of science and careful study in creating this BIRADS system. Get a copy of your written report and look and see what your score is. If you have questions about the wording of your report, copy them in here, and we will help you sort this out.

MelissaDallas

They are telling you they believe this to have a less than 3% chance of being cancer and the risks outweigh the benefit of biopsy. Additiinally, even if it WERE cancer, most is slow growing and very rarely would six months make much, if any difference

NotVeryBrave

Did they do a mammogram as well? The information from mammogram and ultrasound can be different, but it can help to create a better picture of what's going on. The six month waiting period is much harder when you feel something, I'm sure.

mommakat

I'm with you Tomlinfan. When I got called back for a 2nd mammo, I was nervous they were going to say it looked funny but let's wait and see. I think I'd go completely insane. Of course, now they did biopsy and that wasn't entirely resolved either, and I have to wait until August 10 to see a surgeon, and I'm still going insane waiting. But I'm happy they're being aggressive.

Could they do a fine needle biopsy? I think when it's a palpable lump they can. I think that's a pretty simple procedure. I only had the core needle, so I'm not totally sure. I would ask for one if I were you. For peace of mind.

MTwoman

mommakat, I know that you are anxious right now and awaiting your appointment to provide you more answers, but recommending that someone "ask for a fine needle biopsy" is a bit irresponsible. There are reasons that medical professionals get education and training, so that they understand when it is and when it isn't appropriate to biopsy (and what imaging studies to do, and when to provide a consult) as well as when it is appropriate to wait 6 months to determine a very low risk finding's stability. Encouraging someone to work with their medical professional is one thing, encouraging someone who is already anxious to demand (potentially unnecessary) medical procedures from their trained professionals is another.

mommakat

I didn't say demand MTwoman, I said ask. And I said that's what I would do, which it is. I don't see how that's irresponsible in the least.

Tomlinfam6

thank you for your input! I did get a second opinion because there was only a spot ultrasound and no mammogram.

I had that done yesterday and basically the same info...looked benign and could wait and watch or do a biopsy if I wanted. I chose the biopsy (ultrasound guided vacuum assisted biopsy) and they expected results by tomorrow but they actually just called me with my results. Pathology showed "cluster aprocine microcysts" and was told it's all benign and to just continue with yearly mammograms.

Forgive me...I'm a highly anxious person right now and it has set my fear and paranoia into overdrive with this. Can I feel confident in these results and rest assured that all bases have been covered? The spot was so tiny that she felt like she got almost all of it with the biopsy anyway and the ultrasoundtechnician looked again once The dr finished the biopsy and the technician couldn't even see it anymore which seemed good.

I am just needing reassurance...this has scared me more than anything and I think it just has my mind in overdrive and I'm still paranoid.

Racy

I think this is a good outcome and you do not need to worry. Continue to be proactive with your health care. That's all you can do.

You can put this episode out of your mind.

MTwoman

what Racy said. You pushed for a biopsy for peace of mind. Now you need to focus on what the rational side of your brain is telling you (you have pathology naming the b9 phenomenon found, not just "nothing seen") not what the fearful side is telling you. Try to use whatever skills you typically use when you need to calm yourself. Breathe, walk, listen to music, meditate, yoga etc. Be happy about your 9b results, put the episode out of your mind and move on. Good luck!

NotVeryBrave

It sounds like you and your doctors did everything right. So glad it was a benign result! Now - to move on ...

Perhaps it would ease your mind to have a 6 month follow up? It seems like that is frequently recommended after anything unusual shows up (by palpation or imaging).