Mass Found... New Advice

BritValarie · November 2010

Hello ladies,

I decided to post here since most of you describe finding a "mass" rather than a lump.

My mother was diagnosed with BC at 36yrs old and died from the disease at 38. I have no idea what kind she had, and there is no one left in my family with that information. Her mother (my grandmother) also died from BC at a later age.

I had my first lump removed when I was 14 years old!! I think they freaked out because she was so young. I am now 48 years old and have had a couple of lumps removed the last ten yrs or so. They have all been benign.

Last year I found another lump and went to my GYN. I had mammo and ultrasound and it was determined to be a cyst. To be honest, I haven't thought about it since, but last week my husband had a concerned look on his face and said, "that cyst is huge". I said, "it comes and goes, no biggie", But later I was checking around and about an inch higher I found a large mass. I have had so many lumps that turn out to be nothing... so I don't usually stress out, but this feels different somehow.

My question to you wonderfully, strong and inspirational ladies who have been through a BC diagnosis is... what should I insist on when I go to my dr? I don't want to go through another mammo and U/S...especially reading some of your experiences here.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Blessings!

OG56 · November 2010

Well I am not sure what you should ask for, as Mammo and U/S are what they start with, and depending on their findings they may want you to do an MRI, but not usually. Are they aware of your family history? If you are not comfortable with who ever is your Dr. now then see a breast surgeon.

There is a thread on the forum that is named "not diagnoised but worried" you should get more responses from that thread. This thread is for those of us who have a breast disease known as LCIS.

Good Luck

BritValarie · November 2010

Thanks for replying, OG56

Well, I fill out the paperwork everytime I see my GYN about my family history, but I'll make sure he knows when I see him tomorrow.

Again, thanks for taking the time to reply. I posted here since I read that so many with LCIS had normal mammos and Ultrasounds. So, I thought I would get more words of advice

Take care,

Valarie

leaf · November 2010

The best imaging method for detecting a cyst is an ultrasound. If you are younger, your breasts are more likely to be dense, and, if your breasts are dense, mammograms are harder to read.

FYI: I have classic LCIS. I had a suspicious mammogram (suspicious calcifications). LCIS is an unusual condition, and is usually an incidental finding when they do a breast biopsy. LCIS usually doesn't show up on any imaging. In fact, LCIS is often found not *at*, but adjacent to, the suspicious lesion. LCIS is a weird condition.

BritValarie · December 2010

Leaf,

Thanks for the information!

I saw my GYN yesterday and he confirmed that I have a mass (it's about an inch from the cyst I have had since last year). I am expecting a call from his office today to schedule a diagnostic mammo and ultrasound.

I hope everyone is doing well.

Take Care,

Valarie

leaf · December 2010

Best wishes on your imaging! We're thinking of you!

BritValarie · December 2010

Thanks Leaf! I really appreciate the thoughts!

My appointment at Breast clinic is next Thursday. So, I'll keep you updated.

Have a wonderful day! And thanks again!

Valarie

mountainmomof3 · December 2010

Have you ever been told that you have dense or very dense breast tissue? They have recently identified this as an additional risk factor. Given your family history, and your past "benign" lesions (having lumps and bumps at an early age is another risk factor), I would insist on an MRI. It is the most accurate at detecting lesions that tend to hide on mammo and ultrasound. I had suspicious calicifcations on mammo and it turned out to PLCIS, which is more serious than classic LCIS. Unlike the classic variety, the PLCIS does show up on mammo due to the calcifications. It is treated more like dcis. The P in the plcis stands for pleomorphic and is more serious than classic lcis. If caught early, the prognosis is excellent. Good luck and keep me posted.

BritValarie · December 2010

Hi mountainmomof3... thanks for replying.

Yes, I've been told I have dense breasts and usually have an ultrasound along with my mammogram for that reason. And its weird that given my family history, my Dr. has never suggested MRI. I have been told a lot of times that insurance companies won't pay for them, so maybe thats why.

But, I am so grateful for all you wonderful, strong women and the advice you give on these boards!! I've learned so much and now realize that I have to be more proactive when it comes to detecting any possible problems.

I have an appointment on Thursday for an ultrasound, mammo and possibly a needle aspiration on the cyst from last year. If this new "thing" turns out to be a cyst also, then I am going to ask to have that aspirated, too. Although, feeling the two together, I can tell the one from last year is round and soft. This newer mass feels more like a Tootsie roll.. Its harder and not round.

I'll let you know what happens at my appointment. And, once again, thank you for the great advice!

Valarie

BritValarie · December 2010

UPDATE: I went for my mammo and ultrasound today. They saw the mass in my left breast on both mammo and U/S. The radiologist came in to see me and said that she wanted me to get an MRI and also wanted to biopsy both breasts as I have calcifications in both. What does this mean? Can calcifications turn malignant?

I guess I have a little researching to do.

Thanks for all your support and advice... it means a lot to me right now.

I will update you when I know more.

Thank you!!

Valarie

mountainmomof3 · December 2010

BritValarie,

I'm really glad you got an MRI. From what I understand, calcifications can be either benign or malignant. They won't know for sure till they do the pathology. The pathology will let them know what they're dealing with. This waiting for the next step and then waiting for the results is the hardest part. I know how you feel!!! Just focus on the fact that you are going to get to the bottom of what's going on in there and then you'll take care of it. So many of these things turn out okay. We're very lucky they are catching stuff earlier now.

OG56, how are you managing your pleomorphic LCIS, did you have a mastectomy or increased monitoring. Just curious... I was diagnosed with pleo lcis in June and had a double mastectomy in Sept. Since there's not much info available about this type, I was hoping you could share with me what your doctors have told you. Thanks!

BritValarie · December 2010

Mountainmomof3, How are you doing after your mastectomy? Did you have reconstruction? Thank you so much for the information and support... it means so much to me right now.

Is it weird that I'm not freaking out? I was nervous going to my appointment yesterday, but as soon as I found out about the MRI and biopsies, I felt fine. Even driving back to work, I was singing to a song a love and stopped half way and thought "what is wrong with you?" I guess everyone deals with things in different ways.

Hugs,

Valarie

Letlet · December 2010

BritValerie, my calcifications came back malignant. But remember that every person is different, like mountainmom said it could be benign also and the pathology report will determine it. Have you scheduled the MRI and biopsy yet? I would schedule them ASAP. Not to alarm you it's because the holidays are coming up and some doctor's offices are closed and it takes 2 days the most for the path report to come back.

BritValarie · December 2010

Hi Letlet,

Thanks for replying!! I called My GYN's office this afternoon and they confirmed that they had received the report from the radiologist and said they would be in touch soon to schedule the MRI... so more waiting especially since its Friday.

Did they detect your calcifications on mammo or MRI? The radiologist said I was a difficult case because I have lots of cysts in my left breast that had "stuff" in between. And that I had calcifications on both breasts, but that there is an area on my right breast that she wants to biopsy, too. I have had mammo's and ultrasounds since I was 35 since my mother died at age 38 of BC and no one has ever mentioned calcifications. But, I went to a different place this time which seemed more high tech, so maybe thats why.

Any information you can give me would really help me right now.

Thank you so much!

Valarie

mountainmomof3 · December 2010

Valarie

My mastectomy was surprisingly easy. I've had 3 c-sections and I thought the mast was easier to recover from. The first 3 days after surgery are the roughest, but after that I was only on tylenol. I think it's really important to find a good surgeon and plastic surgeon. I did have reconstruction (I'm only 43) and am still under construction. It's a process, but not nearly as bad as I feared. I think it helps that I didn't need chemo or rads. There has been lots of stuff going on in my breasts since I turned 30, so it's a relief to have them gone and not worry so much. I also still look like my old self because the skin is the same with all the freckles, etc.

BritValarie · December 2010

Mountainmomof3,

Thank you for the information and I am so glad to hear your mastectomy was easy for you. I also have had lots of things going on in my breasts for years. The radiologist yesterday said my breasts were very difficult because I have so much going on. They are very dense, my left breast is full of cysts with "stuff" inbetween and calcifications in both breasts. So, she said the biospies will be difficult.

If I am diagnosed with anything malignant, I would want to have both breasts removed and reconstructed. I'm already tired of all the mammo's and biopsies.

Thanks again!

Valarie

Mass Found... New Advice

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