Sclerosing Adenosis Discorant Pathology

kbq2011

Hello:e (*edit, I can spell--I'm just a bit all over the place so please forgive the typo in the Topic header )

I'm a 29 female with a long history of fibrocystic breast changes and "extremely dense" breast tissue. I never worried about my lumps after receiving that diagnosis and haven't noticed any changes myself. In January my new FNP decided to send me for routine US of the breast to keep an eye on it and my hospital flagged me for a diagnostic mammo. (I have a recent family hx of Triple Neg. breast cancer in a paternal aunt, and a recent personal history of thyroid cancer). Of course I worried when they made me come in for the Diagnostic but put that aside, assumed I fell victim to the hospital system's algorithm and went with it. Then they took more images, and made me stay for an extra hour, then I got the dreaded "serious face" as they handed me paperwork to schedule a biopsy and told me flat out that they were "very concerned it was cancer" I freaked out for a day and then calmed down. My mammogram came back BiRads IV with a nondescript hypoechoic masslike area and amorphous microcalcifications. I booked my biopsy, which was hugely painful (I'm insensitive to lidocaine, so I metabolized it faster than they could do the procedure and felt the core needle clamping...such a horrible feeling). They had to take three times the number of mammogram images to check the clip placement and even then--I tried to stay calm. I was trying to maintain a chipper attitude and the radiologist who did the procedure came in while they were bandaging me up to make sure I understood the serious nature of my situation, to "prepare me for the high likelyhood of the malignant outcome" and to let me know that she and her colleagues "were very, very concerned about this..."

This was not at all what I was expecting, I had been trying so hard not to be dramatic and not to jump to conclusions and not to scare myself. I spent 24 hours in tears only to be called by the RN and told that my biopsy came back benign, and that I had nodular sclerosing adneosis with microcalfications. I was relieved, and angry that they put on that rollercoaster. They made me come in for an immediate surgical consult the next day. When I spoke with my surgeon, she told me that all three radiologists I've dealt with are concerned that the biopsy "missed something." I know that nodular sclerosing adenosis LOOKS like malignancy on radiographs; but now I have four, highly-trained, well-respected physicians who are telling me to have this whole mass and all calcifications excised. Of course, I'm having the excisional biopsy---but I am having a very, VERY hard time with the emotional ups and downs of this.

I went into this circumstance certain that I was just queen of lumps, and that it would be fine--then I was certain I had cancer--mostly because that's practically what I was told. Then I was told I didn't have cancer, and now I'm told--"wait, you still might, don't get your hopes up!" (I would like to add that I am being seen at a highly-renowned regional medical facility that does state-of-the-art breast surgeries and cutting edge breast cancer therapies and research. These aren't MDs that don't know what they're doing---so I certainly trust them.)

Is there anyone who has been through a similar situation? What has the outcome been, either malignant or benign? I just want to know I'm not alone here...

MelissaDallas

I am very confused as to why they would rate it a Bi-Rads 4 instead of 5 if they were so certain it was not benign. Weird the way they handled it. I'm sorry that happened to you

beach2beach

Kbq,

A little similar story. Previously have had sclerosing adenosis in my left boob Birads 4.. did biopsy. I remember the radiologist telling me when I had the sclerosing adenosis she said they have a tendency to come back. Every year after she would be, good it didnt come back. Perhaps they want to make sure they get it all out. Mine was very tiny and when she vacuumed biopsied it, it all came out.

A complex sclerosing lesion(radial scar) they tend to always remove that, even though it is benign, sometimes they say cancer can be lurking around. I had that also, and all said and done, no cancer was found there.

Hang in there.