Asymmetry/Architectural Distortion on 3D mammo question

Lunar77

Hi, I was recently called back for a diagnostic mammo due to an area of focal nodular asymmetry and “questionable” architectural distortion in the right breast- this was based on a comparison to my only other mammo, from 2 years prior. After the diagnostic mammo, the tech came in and said the radiologist said it “cleared up pretty good”, but wants an ultrasound anyway just to be sure. Nothing was seen on ultrasound (except a 4 mm hyperechoic mass they said was “probably” a fatty lipoma)- this wasn’t in the exact area of the asymmetry/distortion but was on same side of breast. Anyway, she said the assym/distortion looked “better”- and recommended a 6 month follow up. She also said if something would change at that point we’d come up with a “different plan”. She mentioned stereotactic biopsy but wasn’t recommending it- just mentioned it. I wasn’t sure why she even mentioned it for something that had supposedly “cleared up”. Maybe she sensed my misgiving and doubt about the entire situation. When I got the official report it said the asymm/distortion “did not appear to persist”, (yes, they lumped both things together like that, I know they’re not one and the same) looked “similar” to the 2019 mammo and that this was all consistent with summation artifact. This was reassuring at the time but then I started reading and worrying after I got home and wondered why she would have said it looked “better” rather than non-existent and I also wondered why she would expect a possible change in 6 months. Maybe she’s just being cautious. I’m just wondering if anyone has any experience with something similar or what anyone thinks here. I’ve read a lot. I know AD can be highly predictive of something bad IF that’s what it actually is. According to the report it “didn’t persist”, but her wording at the appointment itself seemed less sure. I’m also REALLY curious about the fact that this all showed up on a 3D mammo in the first place and why they wouldn’t have been able to see it “clear up” by just scrolling through the various slices or views of the initial screening mammogram. How would the diagnostic mammogram really be much different from the screening one, considering they were both of similar quality- 3D. To my knowledge they didn’t do any special views, like a rolled view.I think there was spot compression but I can say this- when it was compressed it wasn’t even mildly uncomfortable. I got physically sick with anxiety over this for a few days. Any thoughts?

BCat40

since you are very worried, why don’t you take the images to another radiology center for a 2nd opinion

Moderators

Dear Lunar77,

We are sorry that these worries have brought you here. We are glad that you reached out for some support. We are attaching this link to a topic about Common Imaging Questions and Concerns. We hope that you might find some help here. Let us know if we can offer other assistance.

The Mods