My primary doesn't trust radiologist

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ScredMomma
ScredMomma Member Posts: 9
edited December 2015 in Waiting for Test Results

I've had my regular Mammogram, diagnostic Mammogram, Ultrasound, and MRI. The first few sets focused on the left breast. After the MRI, the suggested biopsies switched to only 1 on the Left and now 2 on the right. (I have to be very careful with any injury to my body even needles/surgery can cause my other condition to spread.)

So, my pcp received report. Wasn't happy with almost conflicting reports from the different tests. Wants me to see a breast specialist. Called to scheduled. Found out they're a breast surgeon. Is this really who I want to get to look over all my images for a second opinion? Seems odd as they make their money by operating. Thanks

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited December 2015

    Yep. The breast surgeon is the breast specialist. If there is any question as to whether to biopsy any of the sites that the different imagings show, s/he is who can give the best evaluation. It's not that your doctor does not trust the radiologist, but simply that, because of your other condition, he would like an expert point of view. Still, without a biopsy, not even the breast surgeon can be certain of exactly what each of those sites is up to. Perhaps you are already aware, but 80% of biopsies turn out to be benign, so a determination of whether to biopsy or play the watch and wait game can be a pretty tough call. Even more fun, it is you, the non-expert, who has to make the decision.

    I had two lumps, one found only through MRI. The first was pretty clearly cancer, the next was indeterminate. I am not the kind of person who could relax for one minute with a six-month rescan and set up that second (MRI) biopsy right away. Although the #2 biopsy result was benign, I was very happy to have both the malignant and the benign lesion removed at surgery.

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  • Obxflygirl1
    Obxflygirl1 Member Posts: 377
    edited December 2015

    ALL doctors make money........ Who else would you go to but a breast specialist. Your PCP is being pro-active and cautious. He's got you on the right track.

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  • ScredMomma
    ScredMomma Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2015


    Thank you both! Guess it has been hard to picture a surgeon looking at these several thousands of images and not finding something to 'take out.' I do completely like the idea of being proactive though. Maybe I was hoping I'd seen enough medical drama already the past few years that I'd get a break from this body. Lol Oh, how I hate not being a step ahead. Waiting, patiently. Never been me. The calendar with a piece of chocolate a day until Christmas as a kid...never lasted until Christmas! Lol

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited December 2015

    ScredMom Yes the breast surgeon is the next step. It would be good if he specializes in breasts not just a general surgeon. Also MRIs tend to have a lot of false positives which lead to biopsies. However I do believe they are a must preoperatively before any treatment decisions are made. Good luck and keep us posted.....

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