Lesion on Ultrasound... feeling lost & unsupported

cj25

So I've had really achy armpits for years now, usually cyclical and doctors just keep telling me it's fine. I haven't wanted a mammogram because of the radiation and other unintended consequences. I've asked and asked for an ultrasound. Well I felt a little round thing in my breast and went to a doctor a friend referred me to who is open to things like thermography. She referred me for a full ultrasound. Imaging place complied, my armpits and the little round bump are normal but they found a non palpable lesion in my right breast. The radiologist told me it wasn't highly suspicious and I can either wait 6 months and have another ultrasound to see if it's changed or I can have a mammogram right then. That he would need more views to even decide if it should be biopsied. I told him I would have to talk to my doctor and husband - and I would have to wait til I wasn't right before my period to have it because my breasts are so painful (even ultrasound was sore in some places). Well it took a week for me to talk to my NP & discuss the report. Which I felt like was way too much time. I have only seen this NP once. I am new to the area I live and while I've seen a couple doctors, I haven't found one I really like yet. So at any rate, I'm panicking. I'm freaking out about what I may have and I feel like I have no one explaining anything. And no one with the info to answer questions. I like lots of questions. I asked why if we know where the lump is, we can't biopsy from there. No answers. I don't see what a mammogram will do for us at this point. This new NP called an oncologist she knows and he said an MRI would be best and could avoid biopsy. But I am not at all comfortable with taking gadolinium. Last October, I was given a variety of drugs/antibiotics for some issues and I had so many bad reactions, I am still seeing specialists working through the issues. So no, I don't want more toxic poison in me.

Is it normal for the radiologist to run the show at this point? I feel backed into a corner. My mom wants me to see her breast surgeon/clinic because she is amazing, but she does not take insurance and is two states away. I'd love to see her, but I am not sure it's realistic. I have called so many places. Different breast imaging places, cancer alliances, and I just get transfers, voicemails and we can't get you in for a diagnostic until March. I am freaking out what will happen if I wait that long. If I am forced to have a mammogram, I literally only have a 10 days a month when my breasts don't hurt that I would want one. Which is coming up in the next week and a half. I also don't understand why the radiologist report sounds scarier than when he spoke to me in person. He wrote moderate suspicious irregular and it's size.

I am so overwhelmed. I am so scared. I called my old doctors office that I saw for 15 years in my previous state to get some guidance, but his front desk never gives him messages. I have no idea who I should be working with, who should be advising me, who should be making decisions at this stage. I can get in for a mammogram next week at the place I had the ultrasound - but is it pointless? I can see my moms doctor the last week of February if I can get there, but it's going to be expensive. I can see the Oncologist guy my new NP knows in two weeks, but he's not a breast specialist and I don't want a contrast MRI. I have no idea how to move forward at this point.

moth

I think a mammogram is reasonable before pursuing a biopsy. Each imaging modality gives different information.

A biopsy is an invasive procedure with risks. Generally speaking, radiology does run things early on. They're the experts on imaging and making diagnoses, or tentative diagnoses, based on imaging.

I honestly would do the mammogram. It is very low radiation and it will help them say whether it's more likely benign or something that needs further investigations.

Beesie

I agree with moth. The Radiologist recommended the mammogram, and he wouldn't recommend it if he thought it was pointless. A mammogram is an easier procedure with fewer risks than a biopsy, so if a biopsy can possibly be avoided by having the mammogram, for me it would be an easy decision. From my experience (lots of call-backs, 7 biopsies, breast cancer diagnosis), It seems to be a straightforward situation.

And yes, at this point the Radiologist runs the show. He's a doctor and imaging and diagnostics are his area of expertise.

What does the radiology report from the ultrasound say? Is there a BI-RADS number on the report?

Since your mother has a breast surgeon, does this mean she's had breast cancer?