One test says yes and the other no?

ndrouin

I went into the emergency room on friday because I was having chest pain. They ended up doing a CT Scan because they couldn't figure out what was going on. After the test, the ER doc came in and said she just talked to the radiologist who said that I have a spiculated mass on my left breast which is indicative of malignancy. So I went today and had a mammogram done. I talked to my PCP this afternoon and she said that it was negative. I'm really confused because the ER doc (which I use to work with) came in and told me that she talked to the radiologist who said this but then he did not put those words into my report. However, the doc did write that diagnosis on my referral form. My PCP also showed me the two different test results and the CT shows a mass or a big white spot. The mammogram doesn't show anything but the fine lines of the ducts. I don't know what to do. My sister had breast cancer about 7 years ago. My friend said that she has heard of lots of people who have gotten negative results from their mammograms. Anyone have any expierence with this or any ideas on what to do next/.

Georgia1

Hi there and I'm so sorry this is all happening on top of your chest pain. My best guess is that the radiologist on call while you were in the ER did see something, but when a more experienced radiologist looked at the mammogram images it wasn't cancer but rather something harmless. Based on your family history you may want to ask for an ultrasound, either now or in six months. Hope that helps somewhat.

Moderators

ndrouin, we agree with Georgia1 that you may want to talk with your doctor to get an ultrasound done to help provide more clarification.

Hang in there, and sorry for what you are going through.

djmammo

ndrouin

Compared to a mammogram, a CT does not have sufficient resolution to properly evaluate a breast mass. A mammogram is the proper modality for evaluating such a CT finding. Did the mammo report say it was compared to the CT, and if so can you post that mammo report?

Have you had prior surgery on the breast in question? A surgical scar can look like a spiculated mass on CT.