Opinions needed, please

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Nanda
Nanda Member Posts: 13

I've a 20+ year history of benign breast masses in both breasts (fibroadenomas, calcifications, cysts, etc. etc). Over the course of the yrs I had at least five biopsies (always neg. for cancer). Because of my history I was diligent about mammograms and follow-up tests. This yr. not only was cancer found in a 1.3 cm tumor but 5/10 nodes were postive. This put me at stage 3. I think my yearly mammo must've missed something for my cancer to be so advanced a yr. later. Can't seem to get an opinion from surgeon or onc. on this...Value your opinions so much. Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Comments

  • spar2
    spar2 Member Posts: 6,827
    edited August 2008

    If it was very small it could have been missed on the mammagram, there is no telling.  I always got a mammogram every year also but it missed mine too.  Found the lump myself and then did a ultrasound then  biopsy, then mastectomy.  The Dr. probably can't give an opinion because they simply don't know..  Did the mammogram find it this time?

  • Nanda
    Nanda Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2008

    Hi Spar2. Thank you for your reply. Yes, mammogram/ultrasound this year led to an MRI then biopsy. Have to be thankful it was caught before even further spread.

  • jerseymaria
    jerseymaria Member Posts: 770
    edited August 2008

    nanda, i don't know what your pathology said but my bs told me my tumor grew very very fast. i am her2+++ and they are very agressive.  i was beating myself up because i had skipped my mamo so maybe she was trying to make me feel better but she did repeatedly say that it probably wouldn't have mattered.  treatment is hard but doable and you will find strength that perhaps you didn't know you had.  good luck.

  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited August 2008

    I had yearly mammograms for years and they missed a slow growing 2.0 tumor

    They are not perfect that is for sure and also you have to take into account

    who is reading them...I had a mammo tech tell me there were some doctors

    where she worked she didn't want reading her driver's license much less a mammo 

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited August 2008

    My surgeon told me that these things can be growing for 7 to 10 years BEFORE they even show up on a mammogram...  I do not trust Mammograms, since it didn't find mine, until I felt it.  Then I had a DIAGNOSTIC mammo, and an u/s, and it showed up on both.  Mine was .8mm and I was glad that it was still small, but if I hadn't felt it, I wonder if a regular mammogram would have found it. 

  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited August 2008

    Nanda,

    I've been getting mammos religiously since age 35 because of fibrocystic breast. Last year, at age 46 I had my first cyst and ultrasound. They said it wasn't anything but to watch it so at this year's annual, I pointed it out to my obgyn.  She wrote an open script for a mammo, ultrasound and biopsy if needed. Sure enough, had all three and found DCIS. I then decided to go to a cancer center for treatment and a lumpectomy. The radiologist there was a bit suspicious of a dark area on the film and called for an MRI. Thank god they did. I had a small tumor sitting near my chest wall.  Had a mastectomy and almost done with chemo. Not sure just yet about rads. I agree with SoCalLisa. Press on and do what you feel is right. I thank god everyday for the radiologist that requested the MRI. Good luck and post often. There's a great group of women here if you need support.

  • othershoe
    othershoe Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2008

    Hi, Nanda-

    It's the night before an excisional biopsy, and I just logged on. I can't say I know much about finding lumps or not, but I have to tell you: I am the very same, in terms of the years and results (until now). For 20 years (actually, 23) I've had biopsies, calcifications, fibroadenomas, etc etc.  I recently got diagnosed with LCIS and atypical hyperplasia, but the kicker -and tomorrow's biopsy - is related to something they still don't see on the mammogram.  It's a dark mass near the chest wall, and the mammogram was never going to get that... (In fact, it was the "nuclear" test- aka breast gamma scan that did).  Anyway... my thoughts are with you, and I have to say... just knowing there is someone out there who has had this nagging problem for 20-plus years is very comforting to me, for some reason.  Best of luck to you (I'll let you know if this one actually turns out to be something; who knows, it may.)  -- Other Shoe

  • Nanda
    Nanda Member Posts: 13
    edited August 2008

    Othershoe - my thoughts are with you too. All the best. Please let me know how it goes. Hopefully, it's nothing.

  • Jeansbeans
    Jeansbeans Member Posts: 175
    edited August 2008

    HI Nanda, I also had yearly mammo's because of strong family history{ My mother, My Grandmother, My GreatGrandmother} I was very persistant on a Breast MRI!  Good thing too, because my MRI showed 2 spots of cancer which My Dr. told me a Mammogram would never show until I could feel it. I had MRI  done same day as Mammo!.  Biopsy came back as IDC, 1.2cm and .05 cm. no nodes and stage 1.  I had a bilat. mastectomy with tissue expanders. I Feel more women should fight their Insurance Co. for Breast MRI's.  Cancer can be found early and save on long hard treatments. I am so very fortunate to only need to take Tamoxifen for 5 years. I wish you well  and send  you gentle hugs.  Jeanie

  • KC1
    KC1 Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2008

    The mammogram didn't pick up the thickening I had either, until a year later.  It turned out to be ILC.  Stage I.  Thank God it had NOT spread!!!   I too have heard tumors can be slow growing from 7 to 10 years before they show up.... THAT'S SCARY! 

    All the best to you!

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