Anyone diagnosed by mammo alone?

Namaste!

I had microcalcifications in 3 places and they (radiologist and Breast Surgeon) said the way they were clustered in each of the places made them suspicious for early BC and that they may possibly indicate DCIS, however it was always "we must get the pathology report from BX before we know for sure what they are".

Karla

So sorry you have to go through this! Please don't be shy about being outspoken with your doctors in advocating for yourself as necessary. A couple of times during this process, I've complained that the proposed wait time for an appointment was unacceptable and it's been moved up! You have every right not to have to wait weeks and weeks for answers -- the psychological stress is intense and your medical team has got to be sensitive to that!

From what I could tell, doctors were about 98% sure that my calcifications were DCIS (they were). They can't make a 100% diagnosis from mammograms alone because there's always the chance that what looks like one thing is actually something else.

Do you know your Birads classification? That's a ranking system from 1-5 based on how likely they believe it is you have cancer (or DCIS) based on your mammo results. It sounds like yours is likely Birads-5 (they're almost positive it is), but even in those cases, they're only right 85 or 90% of the time and you could still easily be one of the ones for whom they've guessed wrong.

If it were me, I'd call them and ask for your Birads score. If it's 5, use that as leverage to try to push up your appointment (just say it's horrible to ask you to wait that long, given your high likelihood of a serious issue). Threaten to go elsewhere, or DO actually go elsewhere (are there other reputable practices in your area you could call for a second opinion and perhaps a sooner appointment?)

Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself during this stressful time. I totally get the need for answers, and I truly hope yours are good. Good luck! Keep us posted!!

-Jade

When I had my first mastectomy I think it was pretty obvious to everyone that I had breast cancer ..... however, I had been having diagnostic mammograms for years, had had two previous biopsies of the area, had seen a breast surgeon, had ultrasounds, and so on.  What turned out to be extensive high grade dcis lit up the entire upper outer quadrant on the mammogram film.  I also had some invasive cancer, but not as bad as they thought.  I was allowed to speak with the radiologist at the time I had the mammo (he had also ordered an ultrasound of my underarm and breast) who essentially diagnosed me.  When I went in to speak with him, he had already called my gynecolgist and breast surgeon.  I had a mastectomy in under a week after seeing my breast surgeon ... just enough time to get my pre-surgical testing done (chest x-ray, blood work, ekg). 

I saw the BS on Thursday and he wrote the letters DCIS on a sheet of paper and then the word invasive and then crossed out the word invasive.

What kind of thing is this to do/imply/say to someone?  What a mind game!  I would push for an earlier surgery date, or, at the very least some more direct explanation of what he is thinking.  Ultimately, they have to biopsy the tissue in order to make the diagnosis.  If they really think you have dcis and possibly some type of invasive cancer, I don't think making you wait another month is very thoughtful, regardless of whether or not it will impact prognosis or treatment.

You need the biopsy for the diagnosis -- there's too much at risk to make a decision any other way. The waiting period is so stressful, I would strongly push to get your biopsy date moved up or change doctors to a more responsive one. 

They found calcs on your first ever mammo, which is similar to me as mine were seen on my second ever. I was given a Birad 4 rating and sent for a stereo. biopsy a week or so later, and the biopsy confirmed DCIS. Met with a breast surgeon who sent me for genetic testing and an mri to better understand if I should have a mastectomy or lumpectomy (ovary and other breast removal were also under consideration in the event that I was BRCA1 or 2 positive, which thankfully I am not). Only after all of that could the best educated decision for me be made.

You are really in such a stressful period in the process right now, but now is when you must be an advocate for yourself. Sending you good wishes.

I'm sorry you are going through this   You are at the hardest part right now, waiting.  That really is the hardest time, not knowing what you are dealing with and the information is so overwhelming.

I had a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy and breast MRI.  They told me after the biopsy that it was DCIS but they have not ruled out microinvasion in my case.  I'm trying not to freak about that point.  Did they tell you where your mammogram fell in scoring?  I don't know what they call it...I know mine was a 4, they were highly suspicious of one area being cancer (it was) and then a 2 or 3 in another area, which they biopsyed as well (A-typical cells).  Everyone always made sure to stress that while they are suspicious, 80% of the time it can be nothing.

So while your doctor may be suspicious that it is DCIS, he can't make that call until a biopsy is done.

They cannot make a diagnosis from an MRI.  Whatever the MRI showed you would still need a biopsy. If the biopsy does not show cancer you will not need the MRI. 

The purpose of the mri is not to avoid the biopsy. It is to provide an additional piece of the puzzle if you are considering a lumpectomy or mastectomy. But first you need to know if you actually have bc, which is the purpose of the biopsy.

I had an MRI to confirm the fact that I had microcalcifications on a mammogram.  The Dr. who read the MRI suspected malignancy a year before my next mammogram and put it in his report.  the next mammogram had multifoci microcalcifications.  I think they knew I had breast cancer then.  Then comes the biopsy.  MRI's are screening tools so I have been told, along with the mammogram. Its hard to wait for results, but I was lucky and the Dr. called me in to her office within two days of finding out I had cancer.  If you are not gettin anywhere getting your results COMPLAIN!!  And COMPLAIN about long waits for testing.  This is your body! 

Agada