Awkward radiologist said “looks to be on the benign side”

tigerlily6200

I went in for my first mammogram on a Friday. Friday afternoon they called me and wanted me to follow up this morning. The radiologist had seen a mass in my left breast at the side. I had my diagnostic mammogram this morning and an u/s.

The radiologist told me I have a mass and it’s not a cyst. He said it looks to be more on the benign side but have to be sure with a biopsy. He said fibroadenoma?

I am scheduled for next Thursday and then I have to wait 3 days to get results.

I don’t know what to do. do radiologists have a pretty good idea what the mass is beforehand biopsy but just can’t be definite?

MelissaDallas

Yes, they have a pretty good idea, but can't be definite.

Denise-G

yes - my radiologist told me it was malignant before I had the biopsy. My mom's radiologist told her it was malignant before her biopsy as well.

They were right. They have a pretty good idea, but have to do the biopsy to make sure.

oxygen18

Tigerlily,

Wouldn't it be nice if mammograms were like pregnancy tests, yes or no.

But even mammograms can miss many cancers, and when they find something suspicious, there is a whole spectrum from certain to very doubtful.

Mammograms remain the best screening test available for general use, but they have some limitations.

The radiologist was being truthful.
I hope it turns out ok

Sassa

On the other hand, I was told probably benign on the breast with cancer and given a BIRADS 5 on the benign other breast.

oxygen18

A good example of the limitations of any technology. Radiologists have to depend on imperfect tools.Sassa, I hope things are going well for you now.

MexicoHeather

Yes. Radiologist know alot, but sometimes cannot say it because it is not as sure as a biopsy would be. However, you can use the mammogram over time to help see changes in the future, if there were any. Peace Out.

LeesaD

I had two areas biopsied and my radiologist told me both would come back malignant. One did and one didn’t which he said he was shocked about. He also told me it was teeny tiny and only 6 mm’s and it was 3 cm’s Nothing is definite until final pathology.

Scrafgal

Yes, my radiologist knew...it was cancer....and was honest with me before he biopsy results came back.