Mass on 3d mammogram?

MNTiff

I had a 3d mammogram last Thursday and the report read:
"Breasts are heterogeneously dense. There is a mass in the left lower inner breast." Recommended follow-up: Diagnostic Mammogram and ultrasound. Recommend targeted ultrasound with additional mammographic views as necessary."

I know that call-backs after 2d mammograms are pretty common and often turn out to be nothing serious but the fact that I had a 3d one and they see an area of concern has me very anxious. I can't feel any lump or abnormality - if it were just a cyst, wouldn't I be able to feel it?

My additional tests are scheduled for tomorrow but they didn't tell me if the radiologist would be able to give me results right away or if I would still have to wait. I have a family history of breast cancer (mother) and struggling to convince myself that this might be a false alarm.

djmammo

B055W0man

Dear MNTiff,

I am kind of surprised they want to do a normal diagnostic ultrasound and mammogram seeing you had a 3D one, and that should be more accurate seeing you have dense breast like myself. And some cysts you cannot feel from the outside. Just recently had a ultrasound of mine again and the doctor even pointed out two cysts that were on my right that clearly could not be felt. I knew they were there from 3 years ago but clearly no one made a note of it. IMO I would request a punch biopsy, MRI, or pet scan to be 100% sure seeing you do have some family history. Good luck to you and I hope it is nothing! But just know that if it is something you have a awesome support group whether it being friends and family, doctors, or even this community here we are all fighting! Plz give us a update when you find out more, and again good luck!!💖

Sincerely,

B055W0man

keepthefaith

Some imaging techniques are better than others for certain findings. Just because you are called back, doesn't mean there is cause to worry. After the DX mammo and US they may see the need to do an MRI also. The DX mammo is probably 3D also. Try not to worry, They will get to the bottom of it and it sounds like you are in good hands. You can get copies of your imaging reports quickly; usually right away. Best wishes.

beepbeepmew

I’ve got no real advice, just empathy! I’m in the exact same boat—had a 3D mammogram (which I always have), and got called back for a non-palpable mass and calcifications. If it’s reassuring to you, the follow up mammogram was similar to the screening one. Lots of compression on just the one side. After the mammogram, I had an ultrasound; that took a lot longer. (I’ve been referred for a biopsy now, but I’ve had a couple in the past—all benign.)

I think the benefit of 3D imaging is that it provides better views without the “noise” of overlapping tissue. It’s definitely not a slam-dunk cancer diagnosing machine.

The radiologist should speak with you after the diagnostic, but of course they won’t be able to tell you anything definitively if they decide you need a biopsy. Like the graphic posted above explains, they may be able to give you the all clear or go for short term follow up (6 mos.) based on the imaging.

Good luck—I’m trying to take comfort in statistics, which are on our side!

MNTiff

Thank you all! It is helpful to hear from you and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to respond.

I called this morning to ask if I would be speaking to the radiologist today and they said no. They said I would be seeing the technicians, then the radiologist would review the scans and that I would hear from my provider. I am disappointed about this since I had hoped to get results quickly and directly from the person who reviewed them. I also wanted to ask about the possibility of an MRI. Having my GP play middleman seems unnecessary and unhelpful.

My original results came in rather quickly so I am hoping to know more within the next 24-48 hours and will report back.

Thank you again for the support! @beepbeepmeo - sending my support to you as well! x

beepbeepmew

It's too bad you have to do the rodeo with your GP—I hope everything went well. Do check back in when you've learned something—I'll be thinking of you! Thank you for the good wishes; I'll be sure to take them with me tomorrow

MNTiff

Well it turns out the person I spoke to this morning didn't know what they were talking about (he was from the scheduling line so I somewhat suspected this).

The radiologist was there and looked at the ultrasound images right away. He let said he suspects it is a cyst but that he wanted to biopsy it to be sure. They had time to do the biopsy right there so we did. They also placed a titaium marker in they would be able to find the spot easily in the future if it needed to be removed, or to identify it as an already addressed area on future mammograms.

They did a mammogram after to verify the marker placement but I didn't end up having any diagnostic mammograms since they had enough between the 3d images and the ultrasound.

The nurse will be calling tomorrow or Thursday with biopsy results. They seems quite optimistic that they would be clear but you don't know until you know. At least the wait will be short.

Thanks again

MNTiff

I got the official all clear this morning. It is a fibroadenoma. So yes, a tumor but a benign one that can stay where it is. I'm so relived!

beepbeepmew

That's fantastic news! So glad to hear that you can breathe a sigh of relief. Yay! :

FLFishing49

Awesome news!! So happy for you!!

keepthefaith

Good for you! Now, go out and have some fun:)