Help me understand my screening mammogram result

Tuberose

Hi all,

I'm 44 and I had my first mammogram last week and it has me anxious. I have to repeat the mammogram and get an ultrasound. Has anyone had a similar reading? I have an anxiety disorder and I can't stop thinking about this and worrying. Thanks.

Screening Mammogram with Tomosynthesis

Views obtained: Bilateral 3D CC and MLO views . Bilateral synthetic 2D CC and MLO views.

Images were analyzed by CAD

Prior studies for comparison: None.History: No family history of breast cancer. No current clinical breast problem

Breast Density: Heterogeneously dense

Findings: Nodular asymmetry is seen in the left CC lateral third only. This could represent an intramammary lymph node. There is inadequate visualization of posterior breast tissue bilaterally. Benign vascular calcifications are seen. No architectural distortion is seen.

Assessment:

Overall BI-RADS: BIRAD 0: Incomplete: Need Additional

Recommendation: Technical Repeat repeat CC and MLO views are recommended to evaluate posterior breast tissue.

Breast Ultrasound exam is recommended . With special attention given to the left upper outer quadrant

djmammo

Tuberose

Nothing in the report says cancer.

They think there is a lymph node in one breast (they normally live there) but you have no prior studies so those are always evaluated.

You need to be pulled more fully into the machine to see more of your breasts on the follow up study

Nothing in this report to be anxious about.

Tuberose

Thank you, djmammo. Here is my update.

This is the follow up report (additional mammogram views and ultrasound report taken last week). The 6x7 mm x 8 mm nodule was interpreted as "benign appearing" BI-RADS Category 2. No biopsy required.

How do radiologists determine benign appearance?

INDICATION: Additional imaging recommended on the outside facility EXAMINATION: BILATERAL 2D digital full-field mammography with Tomosynthesis was performed and interpreted in conjunction with computer-aided detection. In addition to the routine views, 90 degree lateral view of the left breast was performed. Exaggerated CC view of the left breast was also performed.

COMPARISON: Comparison is made to prior study from 4/5/2019 from outside facility.

BREAST DENSITY: The breasts are extremely dense, which lowers the sensitivity of mammography.

FINDINGS: There is no suspicious mass, calcification or distortion. Nodular density is noted in the upper-outer quadrant of the left breast. Bilateral whole breast ultrasound was performed for further evaluation. Evaluation was performed of all four quadrants of both breasts, the retroareolar region and the axilla. Corresponding to the mammographic nodule in the left 1:00 axis, 5 cm from the nipple a 7 mm x 5 mm simple cyst is noted. In the left 3:00 axis, 1 cm from the nipple extremely benign-appearing nodule measuring 6 x 7 mm x 8 mm is noted. No other solid or cystic lesions are seen in either breast.

IMPRESSION: There is no mammographic evidence of malignancy. Routine annual screening is suggested. Patient should return for routine screening bilateral mammogram in a year. At that time sonographic survey was again performed.

BI-RADS CATEGORY 2: BENIGN FINDING

djmammo

Tuberose

How do radiologists determine benign appearance?

There is a set of criteria for the appearance of benign and malignant findings for every imaging study there is from head to toe. We memorize them in the course of a 4 year residency.

This post may be helpful.

Tuberose

Thank you, djmammo for your reply. Sorry for my delayed thanks!