Got results back mammogram and ultrasound

DebraM63

I had a TOMOSYNTHESIS DIAGNOSTIC BILATERAL mammogram and bilateral ultrasound.

I was not able to have any discussion with the radiologist other than to tell me I needed to have the stereotactic biopsy done - which is scheduled

Here is what it says in the report from both studies.

Impression

Asymmetry with suggestion of architectural distortion in the upper
outer quadrant of the left breast mammographically without discrete
sonographic correlate.

ASSESSMENT:

Left breast - BI-RADS 4. Suspicious abnormality. Biopsy should be
considered.

So does the “without discrete sonographic correlate“ mean the ultrasound findings don’t go along with mammogram? Is that good or bad?

I guess I’m a bit worried about the whole thing.

Thanks —

Beesie

Yes, "without discrete sonographic correlate" means the mammo showed something not found on the ultrasound. While it's not uncommon for some presentations of cancer to be seen on one screening modality and not another, I would think it would be more concerning if the ultrasound had found a suspicious mass that correlated to the mammogram imaging.

When is your biopsy?

DebraM63

Hi

My biopsy is sept 30. Is there any truth to them calling it Bi Rad 4 because insurance won’t pay for biopsy if it’s less than that? I guesS I was concerned about the way the dr and US tech were interacting while taking the studies - well during mammogram too - they kept going back and taking more views and then she said the dr wanted to come into room and was looking at it with her in the last shot of the US. They weren’t real forthcoming with info - I guess I should have asked more questions. Wasn’t sure what to ask. This is actually my first mammogram. They sure seemed like they were looking real hard at something.

It’s worrisome.

Thanks

Beesie

Maybe they were looking really hard because they weren't sure it was there:

Architectural distortion found on a mammogram

https://breast-cancer.ca/archite-reast-mammo/

"Breast cancer commonly causes architectural distortion.

Architectural distortion uncommonly indicates cancer. More common is for architectural distortion to be 'imaginary' in the perception of the radiologist."

Yes, often a BIRADs4 is required in order for insurance to pay for a biopsy, but that doesn't mean that this is the reason why your imaging was given the BIRADs4. A '4' is given anytime the Radiologist assesses a 2% or greater risk of cancer, based on the appearance of the imaging. But the '4' category is large - the risk ranges from 2% to 95%. Sometimes the Radiologist will assign a 4A, 4B or 4C, which helps clarify the range. Overall, approx. 25%-30% of BIRADs4 biopsies end up finding a malignancy, so most do end up being benign.

From my experience, when there is a high level of concern, the patient is moved through the diagnosic process pretty quickly. So the fact that you don't have your biopsy scheduled until September 30th may be a sign that the Radiologist isn't overly concerned.

Good luck! And let us know how it goes.

DebraM63

Hi

thanks so much for the info - this makes me feel a little better - will let you know -

D.