Mammo & Bx results, b9 fibrocy ?'s

slkcma · August 2011

From what 'research' I've done so far, I see that sclerosing adenosis adds to the cancer risk up to two times. Not sure about the other things that are stated on the reports (which I'll put at the end of this post). I also know that the sclerosing adenosis mimicks invasive breast cancer on mammograms and the only way to differentiate between the two is biopsy.

I do also have dense breasts plus both grandmothers had cancer/mastectomy.

My thoughts and questions revolve around being told to get another mammogram in 6 months.

If this condition mimics breast cancer on mammos-I don't see the use in mammography every 6 months. I have no plan on getting biopsies every 6 months if something shows. The mammography itself can't differentiate. I don't plan on filling my life with looking for cancer. I'd rather have a better equipped test less often than a insufficient one more often. I'd have more faith in that to act on the results.

Basically, is there something I gain from mammograms more often? I wish I knew what percentage of chance there was that a mammogram would catch an actual cancer in my case. Honestly I'm thinking that once a year is plenty with all things considered. I know I have an increased cancer risk but is 6 month mammos the wisest approach? I've never once had MRI mentioned to me. I don't know if there are any other options. (I've had u/s and it didn't show anything other than well defined 'nodules'.

Thanks for listening to my rant. If you have any opinions on what I talked about or what some of the fibrocystic changes listed on my bx report are, or experiences relating, comment away!

Procedure: Digital Diagnostic Left Breast Mammogram

History: History of abnormal mammogram, abnormal calcifications

Five views were obtained. CAD images were obtained. The exam is compared with prior studies. The left breast is heterogeneously dense. Again are numerous pleomorphic calcifications upper outer aspect of the left breast. Some of these calcifications are felt to be indeterminate in nature. These are grouped together at the upper outer aspect of the left breast.

Impression: Indeterminate Calcifications Upper Outer Aspect of The Left Breast.

Recommendation: Further Evaluation Of The Left Breast With Stereotactic Guided Biopsy Is Recommended.

BIRADS Classification: Category 4A, Suspicious.

Surgical Pathology Report

Final Pathologic Diagnosis: Left breast, upper outer calcifications, mammotome biopsy: Benign fibrocystic change showing sclerosing adenosis, cystically dilated ducts, columnar cell change, and benign intraductal microcalcifications.

Gross Description: The specimen is labeled left upper outer breast calcium biopsy. Submitted as #1 and labeled "with microcalcifications" are six biopsies ranging in size from 0.4 up to 3.5 x 0.3 x 0.3 cm. Submitted as #2 are ten biopsies ranging in size from 0.3 up to 3.5 x 0.4 x 0.4 cm.

Cold Ischemia Time: 2 minutes
Neutral Buffered Formalin Fixation Time: 10 hours, 8 minutes

Anonymous · August 2011

sheryl------sclerosing adenosis is a benign conditiion (as are all the other things mentioned in your report) at the lower end of the bc spectrum, which does raise your overall risk, but only slightly. They did not make any mention of any atypia (ADH or ALH) which is very good news. Even some of those with atypia do not get mammos every 6 months (but some do, depends on other risk factors, such as family history); and there risk is at the level of 4 to 5x. So I'm wondering why they are recommending 6 month mammos for you--do you have other significant risk factors? You could ask for MRI due to breast density, but you may have trouble with insurance paying for it--be sure to check ahead of time).

I have LCIS (risk level of 8 to 10x) and family history of ILC, so I do high risk surveillance (alternating mammos and MRIs every 6 months) and preventative meds. I also have sclerosing adenosis along with a hodgepodge of "stuff".

Anne

slkcma · August 2011

I don't know why the 6 month plan. I do have both grandmothers that had breast cancer. No other family history that I know of. And then these reports have pretty much everything I'm aware of in the breast. There is probably a little more in previous 'screening' mammograms because I know they also checked another spot in another area of the left breast when they did my ultrasound 8ish months ago but they never said anything else about that so I assume that was determined to not be suspicious.

I've pretty much decided to just go back in a year. I was just wanting to make sure I wasn't missing something so thouight I'd put it out here for opinions.

Thank you!

Mammo & Bx results, b9 fibrocy ?'s

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