What is FEA and is it a precancer?

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kwhit
kwhit Member Posts: 59
edited July 2016 in Benign Breast Conditions

I have said this before in other topics, but in 2012 I had a surgical biopsy that showed FEA and they removed a large area with clear margins, plus two other areas that were completely benign. I have googled and even had second opinion from a specialist who said not to worry, but what I read makes me worry. My recent mammo/ultrasound in same breast, same area I now have a cyst. Everything I have read about FEA makes me worry, especially when the surgeon in 2012 said "pretty sure we got the right spot", WTH??? Now 2016 and I have a benign cyst in same area. I cant help but worry there is more going on, is there something lurking in my dense breast tissue that is being missed. Why when I google FEA does it say precursor to cancer or something lurking nearby and drs say everything is fine dont worry? What is FEA????? I guess I just feel after reading so much on here and google, that I cant trust anyone, because one thing is for sure, there is something going on in my right breast, hence 2012 biopsy with FEA and now a cyst, same area.

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  • Tmh0921
    Tmh0921 Member Posts: 714
    edited July 2016

    Flat Epethileal Atypia (FEA)

    It is on a continuium scale from benign to cancer, Flat Epithelial Atyipa can be a precursor to Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH), which can be a precursor to Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS), which is a precursor to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC).

    I had both FEA and ADH found in my last biopsy, my oncologist called them pre-cancerous findings. I'm starting Tamoxifen as preventative therapy.

    Tracy

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  • kwhit
    kwhit Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2016

    Mine was just FEA and like I said removed with clear margins and I was told even if it was cancer the only treatment would have been removal. I also had a complete hysterectomy in 2012 with no HRT and that was supposed to help with what is going on in my breast. I've been told it was nothing to worry about and I guess that should make me happy but this recent cyst even though I was told it is benign, has just brought it all back. Im going to get a second opinion again, I guess Im just waiting for my cancer to happen......

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  • Tmh0921
    Tmh0921 Member Posts: 714
    edited July 2016

    My FEA and ADH were in the same area where I had IDC 16 years ago. I stressed over the abnormal mammogram, stressed over the needle biopsies, and stressed pretty badly over the follow up excisional biopsy (to the point of vomiting on the way to the hospital for surgery). Once they told me there wasn't anything more advanced than ADH, I was actually relieved. I'm not looking forward to taking Tamoxifen for the next 10+ years, but I'll take it over another round of cancer any day.

    Neither my surgeon nor my oncologist seemed overly worried about either the FEA or ADH. My oncologist is putting me on Tamoxifen mainly because I've already had IDC and my breasts have a looooot of history of producing abnormalities (12 biopsies for fibroadenomas, IDC, FEA, ADH, benign cysts, radial scars, and a few other findings). Based on all of this and the fact that I was originally diagnosed at 27, I'm at very high risk for a new primary - hopefully the Tamoxifen does its job and prevents this.

    Over the years time and anxiety management (therapy with a psychiatrist and prescribed meds) have helped me to not think about this every day. I try to save my anxiety for doctors visits, imaging,and testing days and focus on other things the rest of the time.

    Hugs

    Tracy

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  • kwhit
    kwhit Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2016

    I hear ya, I now dread the mammos every year, but like my dr said they are done for early detection and we can't always expect to find nothing. I do fine for a while then just wake up one day freaking out about it all. Lost my step mom and dad within two years of each other, horrible deaths and it has completely changed the way i look at life and not in a good way for the most part. I pray for that to change.

    Prayers and hugs to you too!

    Kim

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