Help with US findings

FindingACure88

Hey everyone,

My mom is status post mastectomy (12 years prior), chemo treatments, and 5 years of tamoxifen. She recently found a mass on her mastectomy side that was biopsied and we now know is malignant. The readings for the ultrasound were as follows: Visible and palpable heterogeneous mass with hypogenicity centrally and a slightly hyperechoic border. It is lobular. There appears to be some internal vascularity. A small nomal appearing lymph node was seen in this region

We are waiting on our onc appointment, and I was just seeking to find some input on the ultrasound reading (this was obviously before her biopsy, but any information regarding what this MAY mean in terms of cancer severity would be greatly appreciated as it has me a nervous wreck. I may also add that she had a normal mamogram (obviouslt on her left side only) in November, and that this mass was fast growing and not noticable until roughly one month ago.

Does a hyperechogenic border give us some home that the ENTIRE mass isn't cancer? How bad is "internal vascularity"? Would all malignant masses be vascularized? Is the sign of a small normal lymph node in close proximity to the mass a good thing?

Thank you guys so much.

Moderators

We understand how difficult the waiting and uncertainty can be. This is a difficult question, as we are not medical experts. You may want to read up on our section Understanding breast cancer. When will you be meeting with the doctor about the results?

FindingACure88

Thank you for taking the time to reply. We will meet with doctors this week and hopefully get the ball rolling on a treatment plan. And you are right, the waiting and uncertainty has got to be the worst. Thanks again for your assistance, I will read up on the link provided.

Moderators

FindingACure88, yes, we're thinking of you!

KBeee

Waiting is hard. Put all of your questions in writing so that so are sure to get them all answered. I keep my questions on the notes in my phone so that they are always with me when I think of more.