Radiologist Diagnosed Me

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MrsG57
MrsG57 Member Posts: 3
edited February 2015 in Waiting for Test Results

How many women were diagnosed by a radiologist. I found a lump and its not painful but my armpits and sides of my breast ache like I need to breast feed and I am awaiting test results for diabetes insipidus. On the mamogram I was told their were numerous fatty deposits and that it was fat necrosis and I have nothing to worry about. I am still getting a biopsy with my breast surgeon to be sure. I have never had breast surgery or an injury. I had mastitis 2 1/2years ago could that cause fat necrosis?  And is it normal for radiologists to diagnose?  And has anyone been told its fat necrosis but the biopsy said otherwise? 

Comments

  • NurseShark
    NurseShark Member Posts: 176
    edited January 2015

    radiologist diagnosed me as well. I went in for ultrasound of lump found during pregnancy he thought looked suspicious took biopsy on the spot called a few days with dx of TNBC.

    He also referred me to breast surgeon that cared for his wife during her breast cancer. So grateful for the speed and support of his care

  • nixie
    nixie Member Posts: 35
    edited January 2015

    radiologist took less than 30 secs to diagnose my wife. 'its very suspicious' were his words and 'im 99% sure its cancer'. biopsy just confirmed it. shock of a lifetime that was.

  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited January 2015

    Strictly speaking, I don't think that imaging results really define diagnosis. That is just an educated opinion by the radiologist. I believe that biopsy results start the diagnosis process. There are other tests which complete the diagnosis.

  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited January 2015

    ...Mine came running into the room I was in, saying, it's cancer! It's cancer! And then he took me back and showed me. Yes, and educated guess, but he did "guess" correctly.

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited January 2015

    Good God Tomboy! What is wrong with people!?

  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited January 2015

    Mine did dx too...told me he was very sure it was cancer. Biopsy must confirm of course ((hugs))

  • DocBabs
    DocBabs Member Posts: 775
    edited January 2015

    Radiologist do not guess. Breast radiologists are highly skilled at knowing what they're looking at.Biopsy is the confirmation.

    I'm married to a radiologist , though not a breast man but rather an Interventional Radiologist,so I'm a little biased.

  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2015

    There have been a number of women here, who were told by their radiologist that they were sure it was cancer, only to find that it was benign, after the biopsy results were received.

  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2015

    Mine did. She came in checked my breast and told me it looked like cancer and felt like cancer. And biopsy confirmed it

  • Janet456
    Janet456 Member Posts: 507
    edited January 2015

    Yep mine did too, she even went so far as to tell me I would be having chemo prior to surgery due to the size of the lump. She was wrong, it was benign.


  • ballet12
    ballet12 Member Posts: 981
    edited January 2015

    I also had a situation where a radiologist told me she thought it was cancer, and I told her I thought it wasn't.  I was right in that situation.  I was surprised that she stated her conviction so firmly (and so inappropriately). 

  • concernedhubbyalan
    concernedhubbyalan Member Posts: 97
    edited January 2015

    The only way you can be sure is when the oncologist does a biopsy. My wife's radiologist did let her know she had cancer, but that was because the tumor was fairly large and obvious. Even after the first visit, the oncologist was unwilling to say exactly what the diagnosis was until hehad the results of the biopsy.

    I know you feel like a nervous wreck right now, but keep in mind, you only have a 20 percent chance of this being cancerous.

    Good luck!

  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2015

    Only a biopsy can give a DX. Drs may highly 'suspect' some type of BC but that is not fact often.

  • concernedhubbyalan
    concernedhubbyalan Member Posts: 97
    edited January 2015

    I'm grateful that my wife's radiologist told her exactly what she thought it was, and she was right. It made getting the biopsy results easier to hear.

  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited January 2015

    My radiologist told me she was almost 99% positive my results would be cancerous....even gave me her phone number for the weekend if I needed her support until the results came back. Obviously, in my case, she was correct.

  • Rockym
    Rockym Member Posts: 1,261
    edited January 2015

    Went in for my mammo and was told by the radiologist there on the stop it was a birads 5 and to get prepared. A couple of days later I had the report in my hand with my hormone and HER status and I was off and running.

  • Jean318
    Jean318 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2015

    Back in 2007, I was called in for a second mammo and ultrasound. I had microcalcifications, so tiny. The radiologist said to me, if you were my sister, or my mother, I would tell you to get this biopsied. That radiologist saved me, because when the doctor read the report, (I do not see this doctor anymore), she told me that everything was fine. I told her that I had made an appointment with the surgeon already for a biopsy, and she was very flippant. The radiologist was right. It was cancer, a very aggressive cancer. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation.

    Now, since November, I have been called back for another mammo, an ultra sound, and finally an MRI. The MRI was suppose to just be of the left breast where there was a pea size lump, but the mri does both breasts. The additional mammo and ultrasound was for asymmetric breast something of the right breast. The radiologist said the left breast was fine, but now they want me in for another ultrasound of the right breast. They have viewed the original ultrasound (done at a different facility) and want a better look at not only the original spot, but another area as well. The original ultrasound report states to follow up in six months.

    I will trust what the radiologist says, and I do fear another diagnosis, but if the radiologist thinks I need a biopsy, that is what I will do.

  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited January 2015

    The radiologist told me he thought it was cancer. I would rather be told this, even if it turned out not to be from the biopsy. There are many many stories here on BC.org of women having to wait 2 weeks or more for biopsy results. The only reason seems to be so they can be told on a scheduled appointment. These women have to wait 2 weeks to get results that should be back in 2 days. I appreciate the radiologist input.

  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2015

    All I can say is Radiologist are amazing there eyes are very precise.

    Nothing beats a biopsy. Get a second read on pathology.

    Surgeons wow. What can you say.

    I fell in 2009 developed a fatty necrosis developed. I had a Ultrasound and mammography four months prior.

    Negative .

    Fine needle aspiration in a breast surgeons office was neg. Still needed surgery to remove the necrosis . Came out of surgery , woke up by the way you have cancer.

    I have had recurrence x 2 since. Birads 5 and 6.

    Thank goodness for the Radiologist and their diagnostic tools that kept a watchful eye on my breast.

    Always get a second opinion . And use your hands :)

  • Copperlisa
    Copperlisa Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2015

    I'm waiting to do my core biopsy on 1/28/15. This has been a fairly fast trip for me. From my first mammogram on 1/2, to the 3D mammogram and ultrasound on 1/22, and the radiologist following the tech's steps and telling my hubby and I, "Those two masses are very suspicious for cancer. We need to get you in for a biopsy asap." I picked up her written report the next day (I like to be able to see what is written because some days my brain doesn't hear well, and it's BIRADS 5. This radiologist has a fabulous reputation in town, and she only does breast ultrasounds and mammograms.

    Onward we march!

  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited January 2015

    One day I had spontaneous bleeding from my left nipple. I saw my PCP, who said it might be Paget's disease of the breast. (It wasn't, I fired him for that and many other misdiagnoses...) He was an idiot.

    The next day I saw a Breast Surgeon, who assured me it was probably a benign papilloma, but that she would like me to have some other tests just to be sure.

    I lucked out and got the most awesome Radiologist in the world. She was a total pit bull when it came to finding any cancer in my body. She didn't like what she saw, and in the end, I went through seven diagnostic procedures with her. Even during my ultrasound, she grabbed the wand from the technician and started using it, because she knew exactly where she wanted to look.

    The entire time, she was totally committed to providing me with her best efforts. I had several diagnostic mammograms, two ultrasounds, a ductogram, and two US-guided core needle biopsies. Her instincts were stunning.

    She found two tumors: one was a millimeter and a half, and the other was HALF a millimeter. This is like a grain of rice and half a grain of rice.

    She called me on the phone and was so compassionate, sorry that it wasn't better news, but reassuring me that it was so early, I had lots of options. She stayed on the phone with me for about half an hour, making sure I had no other questions.

    She was also very concerned about my right side. With dense, fibrocystic breasts, she couldn't get a good reading on that side, and said that if I even considered a UMX, I would need an MRI. She had also consulted with a colleague to make sure. Even though she was on her vacation, she came into the hospital to dictate my report so I would have it as soon as possible.

    So yes, the Radiologist gave me the news by phone, and I was so glad she was the one who did it.

  • roadrash
    roadrash Member Posts: 145
    edited January 2015


    Hi,

    I have always had my Radiologist explain to me my results after my diagnostic mammos, compressed views and biopsies. The Radiologist will also do the biopsies if there is time.

  • RaiderGirl
    RaiderGirl Member Posts: 419
    edited February 2015

    Ladies,

    I will have an excision biopsy on Feb 27 on the opposite breast than the original cancer. Radiologist found a very tight cluster of microcalcifications. I am freaked because everyone jumped into action so fast. When I left the rads office and arrived at my office the breast cancer navigator nurse, oncologist, and surgeon had all already called. That's like 30 minutes for the news to spread.

    I will be bravely beautiful in front of family and friends but between us on the site, I am shaking.


  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited February 2015

    Raidergirl.....so sorry to hear this. We are here for you so vent, talk...cry. ((hugs))

  • ml143333
    ml143333 Member Posts: 658
    edited February 2015

    My Radiologist identified that I had breast cancer, but was immediately set up with a breast surgeon to undergo surgery and final pathology.

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