Questionable distortion on mammogram

Kv1

I just received the dreaded call back saying I have an abnormal mammogram and need to come back for diagnostic views and ultrasound.

Mammogram shows distortion in left breast. Of course I googled it and it sounds really bad.

i have it scheduled Monday and Im freaking out now.

Has anyone else had this? What to expect?

Thank you.

Georgia1

Hi there Kvi. An architectural distortion doesn't necessarily mean breast cancer, so try not to worry. It just means that something, possibly a scar or some benign lesion, is moving the breast tissue slightly. The ultrasound isn't any more painful than a mammogram, then in a few days you will have a detailed report that you can request and read. I will keep my fingers crossed that all is well.

bew66

Kv1, I had the exact same situation last year. I understand your concern because I totally freaked after researching architectural distortion.  The diagnostic mammo and US could not rule out cancer, so I ended up having a biopsy.  12 samples, all benign.  Try not to worry, and let us know what happens.  Best of luck to you.

Kv1

Thank you. Hearing about how others have gone through this helps!

Kathy4d

Hi Kev1, I just went through this...I got a call-back and had my diagnostic Mammogram today. The Architectural Distortion that showed up in my regular mammogram was a change from last year. Upon doing the diagnostic “spot compression" today, the AD flattened out and was determined to be normal tissue. The research on AD that I did prior to today's test had me quite scared. I think it's important to share that I learned that Architectural Distortion is a vague term that can end up being a number of things other than cancer. I am 62 years old and have never had a call-back before now, so it was quite nerve racking. I hold good thoughts for anyone going through this same scare; it's good to be prepared for whatever the result may be, but as I was told at my exam, many call-backs for architectural distortion turn out to be benign

Suevmd

Hi,

I just went through this same thing around Christmas. I was a little freaked out by the call back and absolutely devastated when the 3 d and ultrasound indicated a biopsy was needed. I had about 4 weeks of stress from start to finish. Try to remember that only 1 out of 10 people called back will end up having breast cancer and only 3 out of 10 people with a biopsy end up having cancer. Luckily my bx was benign ( fibrocystic changes and PASH which is a benign condition). Hang in there, I still feel like I'm recovering from the ordeal and remain now deeply distrustful of my breasts. The road you are on now is really scary, but at least the professional I met were beyond wonderful. Good luck!!!

Kv1

Thank you everyone for replying. Had a second mammo and ultrasound. It was tissue was compressed and looked differently than last time. The ultrasound confirmed that it was just that, nothing to worry about.

This is such a good forum for women to come to when they have anxiety for pending tests.

bew66

Yay Kv1!  Thanks for letting us know it turned out benign!!

Kathy4d

SO happy to hear your result Kv1! It's good that some of us can bring hope to others facing the same uncertainty about this particular finding on a mammogram.