Confused what ultrasound could mean

CripticGirl · August 2015

Hey all, I'm 26. A year ago my right nipple started to flatten out and change I went to see my gp who told me it was in my head (it wasn't my bf could see it had changed aswell, it was him who pointed it out me), eventually they referred me to a bs who done a ultrasound and said it was duct ectasia. They nipple continued to flatten and pull its self in over the next months and again I was told it was duct ectasia. Then 6 months ago the areola and nipple started swelling and getting red every few weeks and I was told it was an infection due to the duct ectasia (still happening now every few weeks so fed up!). 4 months ago the same patch of areola got darker and felt different, like it was slightly thicker with a long lump underneath. I saw the bs 4 weeks ago who said the ultrasound showed the lump was dialted ducts with debris and was nothing to worry about and she made me an appointment to come back today. In the last few weeks the darker patch had got scaly, dry and flakey. The ultrasound I had today showed the dilated duct had changed and had a soild mass in it and they done a punch biospy, is this likely to be duct ectasta? I'm really confused.....sorry for the long post.

Queen_Celeste · August 2015

That is confusing. There is some good information on the Mayo Clinic's web site.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mammary-duct-ectasia/basics/definition/con-20025073

Best of luck to you.

sarahr30 · August 2015

Hi CripticGirl,

I'm in a sort of similar situation except my nipple hasn't flatten--I just have pain that is radiating up to my collarbone and into my armpit. I'm 33 and was told I have duct ectasia and a cyst but i'm still kind of concerned. I'm going to see a BS in October (soonest he could fit me). Do you have any pain?? It is my understanding that duct ectasia in people in their 20s and 30s isn't all that common. I hope you find answers with the punch biopsy. Keep us posted!!!

CripticGirl · August 2015

Thanks for the replies ladies. Time is dragging in waiting on the results.

Sarah I do have a burning pain in the affected nipple but its not all the time. I get inflammation every so often aswell. Have you had a ultrasound?

sarahr30 · August 2015

CripticGirl, I get that burning pain sometimes too. It aches sometimes or burns--it is weird. I had an ultrasound in June that showed a small complex cyst and duct ectasia but i'm just not convinced. The radiologist said those wouldn't likely cause the kind of pain i'm having. I was thinking maybe something breastfeeding related because I stopped last year but I also just haven't been feeling right for about a year now. I've gone from doctor to doctor because of fatigue, cognitive issues, tingling down my left arm. I just feel like something really isn't right even if it isn't breast cancer. Not that I want breast cancer--I just want an answer. I've had so many tests and gone from doc to doc.

I'm surprised you have duct ectasia at such a young age--I wonder if they possibly made a mistake because now they are seeing a mass? I'm glad you are having that biopsy. I think that is the only real way to tell. You haven't had a mammo right? I haven't. When do you find out your results? Sending positive vibes your way.

CripticGirl · August 2015

I've never felt it was duct ectastia tbh. I get the results tomorrow afternoon. The radiologist said she hoped the solid mass was inflammation but she didn't like it cause it cause the duct had obviously changed. She asked if it had ever been biospied and when I said no she said she was def doing one. She took about 6 samples and said she didn't want the results coming back saying they need more tissue. So I'm really confused cause surely a cancerous growth wouldn't grow in a month? I have also noticed arm tingling but had never thought it could have been from this maybe its worth mentioning to the bs? I've also not had a mamo always been told I'm too young.

sarahr30 · August 2015

CripticGirl, i'm so hoping you get some answers today! I don't know much about the rate of cancer growths but I think if it is aggressive it can grow pretty quickly? I don't want to give you wrong information about that. I'd mention the arm tingling to the bs. Chances are he/she will dismiss it but I happen to believe that all of these things are likely to be related. It just seems too coincidental to have all of these issues on one side of the body within the same vicinity and the body works in weird ways. Please keep us posted. Wishing you the best of luck!

CripticGirl · August 2015

Hi Sarah,

Results are delayed and wont be ready now till next week, was annoyed about it yesterday but I just read some breast biopsies can take longer to process due to fatty tissue. Im waiting on the breast care nurse calling back as its swelled up again in the exact same spot and its rock solid and has what I can only describe as pitting so hopefully they can do something cause its agony! Ill mention the arm tingling when they call. Hope ur well Sarah! Ill keep you posted!

sarahr30 · August 2015

CripticGirl,

I saw that you were going to have to wait longer. I know how frustrating that must be. It is good that you are in touch with the nurse in the meantime, especially if you are in that much pain!! I hope you feel better. You will get answers soon. Have you tried warm compresses on the affected area? When I had breast infections during breastfeeding that seemed to offer release. More recently when i've had pain i've actually taken a diaper (I have a son, lol), run it under hot water and then used it as a compress. The heat lasts longer in the diaper! Be well and keep me posted! I just dropped my ultrasound (BIRADS 2) at the BS yesterday in preparation for my October (good lord) appointment. I actually had a breast thermography done last week and am waiting on the results of that...should be interesting!

CripticGirl · August 2015

What is breast thermography? The breast nurse called me and asked me to come in Friday morning. This morning has been hell my partner said that its stressing him out too much and its basically annoying him me talking about it which was rather upsetting as it would be nice to have his full support so thank you lovely ladies for being here for me xx

sarahr30 · August 2015

CripticGirl, thermography is an imaging technique that is supposed to be able to assess risk for cancer in its early stages. It basically measures the heat in the body and areas that show excess heat could potentially indicate the start of tumors forming. There is kind of mixed information about how effective it is but some people prefer it because the body isn't exposed to radiation and it is non-invasive. Insurance does not cover it though so it can be a bit expensive (my scan was 250 but I was kind of desperate). This link shows some sample images: http://www.thermologyonline.org/breast/breast_ther.... It's interesting though because the tech went over my images with me (they are being reviewed by a doctor now) and areas where I feel pain like where my armpit meets my breast had "hot spots." Not sure what it means--could mean nothing, could mean a cyst--who knows. I'll let you know what the report says.

I know what you mean about stressing out your partner. I feel like all I talk about is my health issues and my husband is ready to kill me. It is hard to not feel supported so I completely understand where you are coming from. That is part of the reason I came on this forum! I'm always here to lend an ear .

MelissaDallas · August 2015

Thermography is NOT approved for breast cancer detection:

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2011

Media Inquiries: JeffreyVentura, 301-796-2807, jeffrey.ventura@fda.hhs.gov

Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA: Breast thermography not a substitute for mammography

Telethermographic, 'infrared' devices not approved for primary cancer screening

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned women not to substitute breast thermography for mammography to screen for breast cancer.

Unlike mammography, in which an X-ray of the breast is taken, thermography produces an infrared image that shows the patterns of heat and blood flow on or near the surface of the body. Some health care providers claim thermography is superior to mammography as a screening method for breast cancer because it does not require radiation exposure or breast compression.

However, the FDA is unaware of any valid scientific evidence showing that thermography, when used alone, is effective in screening for breast cancer. To date, the FDA has not approved a thermography device (also referred to as a telethermographic device) for use as a stand-alone to screen or diagnose breast cancer. The FDA has cleared thermography devices for use only as an additional diagnostic tool for breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Therefore, FDA says, thermography devices should not be used as a stand-alone method for breast cancer screening or diagnosis.

"Mammography is still the most effective screening method for detecting breast cancer in its early, most treatable stages," said Helen Barr, M.D., director of the Division of Mammography Quality and Radiation Programs in the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "Women should not rely solely on thermography for the screening or diagnosis of breast cancer."

The FDA has issued warning letters to some health care providers who have been promoting the inappropriate use of breast thermography. The letters instructed the providers to cease making claims that thermography devices, when used alone, are an effective means of detecting breast cancer. Claims have, for instance, appeared on some providers' websites.

The FDA encourages women to:

• Have regular mammograms according to screening guidelines or as recommended by their health care provider;

• Follow their health care provider's recommendations for additional breast diagnostic procedures, such as various mammographic views, clinical breast exam, breast ultrasound, MRI or biopsy; additional procedures could include thermography;

• Remember that thermography is not a substitute for mammography and should not be used by itself for breast cancer screening or diagnosis.

"While there is plenty of evidence that mammography is effective in breast cancer detection, there is simply no evidence that thermography can take its place," said Barr.

For more information:

sarahr30 · August 2015

Just because it isn't approved by the FDA doesn't mean it CAN'T detect signs of cancer in its early stages. Does it always? No. Is it perfect? No. Should it replace mammography? Nope. Doesn't mean it cannot provide meaningful information.

sarahr30 · August 2015

Kayb, I agree. I'm not suggesting thermography should replace mammography. I opted for it because I am under 35, my OB-GYN refused to send me for a mammo because of my age, and because what was found on my ultrasound doesn't seem to correlate with the kind of pain I am having in my breast and armpit. I've also just felt unwell for over a year now so I feel like something major is up with my body even though I know it full well might not be cancer and i'm hoping it isn't.

Still, I'm definitely intrigued that the tech pointed out hot spots in the exactly locations where troubling pain has been (near where the armpit meets the breast and a spot near my sternum) and not where the ultrasound found a cyst. She said nothing looked especially alarming but i'm anxiously awaiting the report. The thermography pictures didn't seem to show a cyst so I guess that is a false negative for a problem right there. I'd be very curious to hear about experiences from women who had their cancer identified by thermography. Maybe there aren't many of them.

sarahr30 · August 2015

Thanks kayb for sharing your insights and experiences. It is scary how many cancers can be missed with mammograms and it is good to know that my doctor did what was probably best in my case. That makes sense about the cyst and the blood flow. I'll definitely search around for more posts about thermography and I will update with my results. Thanks again!

Italychick · August 2015

I had a thermography done after an ultrasound found a spiculated mass with blood flow. They didn't turn the air conditioner off or something, and it said my non cancerous breast had cancer, and the cancerous breast was fine. They refunded my money and apologized for the incorrect results, but only after I called and said what the hell. So be aware that the conditions in the room can cause incorrect results. They have to make the room freezing cold, but in my case, since they forgot to turn off the air conditioner, it totally messed up my results. I then had two ultrasounds,a diagnostic mammogram, and an MRI. The MRI was dead on point for identifying the size and my surgeon was able to remove the lump with great margins. So in my case the MRI was the best test. I also had a bone scan and a PET scan, and the PET scan matched the MRI.

sarahr30 · August 2015

ItalyChick, thanks for sharing your experience. That is really good to know about how sensitive thermography can be. I'm really not dumping all of my eggs in that basket at all--just thought i'd give it a try. I'm so glad you were able to catch the cancer with the MRI!!

CripticGirl, my apologies for hijacking your post and turning it into a thermography one!

Confused what ultrasound could mean

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