Radiologist predict the outcome?

Lauraak

I have so much anxiety. I had both and mammogram cleared but ultrasound showed “ possible intraductual mass 1cm”. BIRADs 4. At that point she said she had “ low suspicions “ it was anything but said let’s take a look. I had biopsy and asked him his thoughts and he said “ I would be surprised if it came back malignant “ he said “ it doesn’t look like what we normally see in malignant masses”. Then said “ but it doesn’t look like the normal Benign ones either “. But said again he would be surprised if it came back malignant. What does that mean??! Now I’m worried I have some freakish rare cancer. Anyone else have a similar experience? I don’t get results until next week and I can’t eat or sleep. Appreciate any thoughts.

Sjacobs146

The radiologists see thousands of memmograms and ultrasounds throughout their careers, so they do have a pretty good idea of what is cancerous or not. My radiologist told me that he hoped my biopsy would come back benign, but he was fairly sure that it was cancer. If your u/s looked normal, they wouldn't have done the biopsy. Somethimes things are not always black and white, there are shades of gray, that's why there are multiple tests that must be done. No matter what the radiologist said, you have to wait for biopsy results to be sure of anything. What you are feeling is totally normal, I could hardly sleep either while I waited for my biopsy results. Try to keep busy to keep your mind off things. Try Advil PM to help you sleep. Hoping for B9 results for you

gb2115

I think it just means they are really not sure. Mine told me flat out she thought it was cancer, right after the biopsy. There's not much you can do but wait. I know that's not helpful and you want answers. Try to stay busy and distracted. Hope it all comes back good for you.

Polly413

My radiologist also told me immediately after the mammogram that I had cancer and the size of it which was small (7mm).. So sounds like yours could go either way. Here's hoping for a B9 result. Polly

sparrowhawk

My US report said I have a "poorly defined", irregular "nodule". My doctor said she wouldn't be surprised if it was something atypical. The radiologist doing my core said he knows it's benign. Still waiting on results. I have no idea!

Lena0423

I had a very similar experience just last week. My mammogram showed calcifications and radiologist did an ultrasound and said she is not concerned. She also said that worse case scenario is just atypia which is also benign. She said the same thing that she would be surprised if it showed cancer. She did biopsy and it came back benign!

JaBoo

I was told right at the 1st ultrasound - "This doesn't look good, we'll biopsy it right now" They did the biopsy 2 minutes afterwards. She told me "the results will be in on Monday and the tumor board has their meeting on Tuesday - please arrange for a visit here on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the results." She pretty much expressed she's 98% sure and very sorry.

So when your radiologist isn't sure, it really means you have to wait for the results. It may end both ways for you. The radiologist saw something suspicious but when he wasn't sure, you may just hear about a cyst or whatever else may be benign. You will just be discussing follow up check ups. Try and get some sleep, the chances for you are both ways.

Recap

I had a consultation with a surgeon after my ultrasound but before my core needle biopsy. Her only comment about my mass: 'It's really really tiny.' (7mm long-looked like a skinny Crunchy Cheeto.) The impression I came away with was a pat on the head and let's wait for it to grow up. Not reassuring when my thoughts were 'I' caught it early.

Post-core needle biopsy (benign), I don't know whether the mass was removed, or partially removed, or is still there intact, since it was 'adjacent' to the calc clusters they removed.

I wish they would talk to us like a fountain instead of just responding to direct questions.

I am curious today about the orientation of my mass. When I see the flat on-screen image it looks like a long skinny mass that goes from left to right so I 'assume' wide but not tall. I have no sense of whether it lies horizontal or longitudinal in my breast, front to back, back to front, or diagonal within the breast, nor do I know where it lies in relation to the nipple/arreola area. I know on TV they can present images to give us a sense of 3D but flat images were all I saw.

So my suggestion to everyone is educate yourself enough (by reading this forum) to prepare a list of questions.

VLH

The radiologist who reviewed my mammogram and performed my ultrasound was frank that the mass looked very suspicious. Similarly, the radiologist that performed my core needle biopsy said the same thing. Still, until you get the pathology report back, it's speculation, albeit based on years of experience. Yes, the waiting stinks!

Meow13

My radiologist was very certain after ultrasound that she was seeing cancer.

Grammy2be

My radiologist told me after the biopsy it was most likely benign, she was right. My mom's radiologist did a rush on hers and cancer was confirmed the same day. If only we could know without all these biopsies and tests, maybe someday!

MexicoHeather

I have one side that has tons of irregularity that are calcifications only. We did a stereostatic biopsy and we watch them, but they are not cancer. Radiologists are so smart. and Cute.At least mine was. 

I hope that you get a good result. Try to rest.

letsgogolf

My radiologist told me immediately following my mammogram and ultrasound that he was pretty sure it was cancer and he was correct. I seem to recall him mentioning the features of spiculation, posterior enhancements and acoustic shadows.

Lauraak

thank you all for your input and sharing your experiences. This waiting game is awful. Some days I’m so paralyzed with fear I can’t move and others are better.

MelissaDallas

Here's the thing: there are lots of things that aren't abd don't present as "textbook" low suspicion lesions, but that doesn't mean they are not, or that the radiologist isn't corrdect in assuming they are not cacnceeous

SafetyGuy

I get my results in the morning. I had to ask the sonographer what the BI-RADS category was for my mass. She was reluctant to tell me 5. I am holding out slim hopes for a false positive. Unfortunately the mass was 1.5 cm across but was not in the chest wall.

Rrobin0200

my radiologist was 95% sure it was cancer. She was right

Lauraak

Thank you all. I got the call today and it was B9. Micro cysts something. I was in such shock I couldn’t take it all in but I will be getting the report.

I wish everyone here the best. I’m so glad I found this resource. It’s really helped me cope.

Meow13

Lauraak, great news.

JaBoo

What great news! Yay for you!!!

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