misdiagnosed as b9 cancer sat for years

Well, I was monitored for a dozen years for what appeared to be b9 changes. Eventually, was diagnozed - see my profile below - and the doctors told me the cancer most likely had been there for 6-7 years prior to diagnosis.

I strongly suspect that my tumor was missed for as long as 2 years. It was located high in the breast, nearly under my arm, so I think they just didn't see it or that the tissue may not have made it into the mammogram pic. Anyway, they found it this past July and it was 1.8cm, so about the size of a lima bean. To me, that's a decent size tumor to miss, considering that my sister's BC was a mere 2mm. Am I mad? Not really. Perhaps a leetle put out. But given the location, I can see how it could have been missed.

I can't spend a lot of energy dwelling on this. The tumor was there, the lumpectomy and re-excision got it out. Now, on to the next thing.

I will admit to a certain amount of bitterness and resentment towards the private breast clinic where I have been going annually for 12 years. Each year mammograms and ultrasounds missed my 4cm ILC tumour that was found by me in June last year. Only an MRI could see it. The thing that has really pissed me off is that I had a previous ILC at age 40 in 2003 (again found by me). Why didn't anyone tell me that these are often not seen by mammogram and US and arrange for me to have regular MRIs? I also had some clinical symptoms which I mentioned to the breast physician in 2014 which were ignored. I put my trust in them and was let down. We have to be extremely proactive with this disease.

MLP 1.8 cm is .70+ inches or nearly 3/4 of an inch.

My 2cm tumor was seen in a mammogram the year before my diagnosis of BC but dismissed as not a problem, while what ended up being a cyst received an ultrasound that year instead. I received the standard "come back in a year" letter and didn't know to ask to see the report written by the person who reviewed the mammogram. There it was. Nothing would have changed but I wouldn't have delayed my call back appointment in 2013 if I had known they had seen something the previous year. I was expecting it to be another false alarm.

3 years ago I had a 3d mammogram. Radiologist said there were new calcifications that needed to be biopsied. I transferred to where I was previously treated because of insurance issues. The radiologist there said she didn't see anything to biopsy. I had an MRi and one every year since. Then last February I was called in after the MRI showed "something". That biopsy came back b9, fat necrosis presumed from previous radiation. Then in August, a drop of blood came out of my nipple. Had another MRI, mammogram, ductogram and ultrasound - all said no sign of malignancy. Since it was bleeding they did a ductal excision to relieve the bleeding. Guess what? IDC, DCIS and Pagets. I feel if I had followed up with the 1st place I may have gotten diagnosed before idc developed. Thank goodness there was nipple discharge, otherwise I would have gone another year,

It, happened to ME!!!  Results of biopsy was B9......the Breast Doctor said all was FINE??!!! But my Mamo was Level 6.....my Gyno kept questioning this.....the Breast Doctor was one of the BEST??!!!  Then six months later the Mamo was OK??  but the radiology dept at the hospital said I needed a MRI......the Breast Doctor said NO!! This is not Cancer.....here we go down the road and I Fired the Breast Doctor and moved on.....new Breast Doctor did a Excisional and we did a MRI....THERE it was......So when I hear girls that are jumping up and down with B9!!! I wonder......always keep an opened mind.....Liz

For sure count me in the group that has some bitterness. I had 3 mammograms in 5 years. The last one was after the gynecologist said she felt "something". The radiologist found nothing. Unfortunately I found a lump 8 weeks later- stage 4. I don't care if it is hard to find, that is their job and they should refer more of us for Breast MRI's instead of sending us home until it spreads. And so it goes, many many things wrong in the breast cancer field.

Carolyn from Music City