Worried about the word "Spiculated"

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GlossGirl
GlossGirl Member Posts: 12
edited May 2017 in Waiting for Test Results

I had a mammo and sono last week and just had a biopsy done yesterday. Results won't be back until early next week so I'm stressed. Trying to remind myself that the odds are in my favor but I'm hung up on the wording in my original mammo/sono report. I'll copy it below, but does anyone have anything similar. A little background, I've had a cyst in my breast and they found something in that same area that's not been there before. Any help or insight appreciated. Thanks!

"Tomosynthesis images demonstrate a spiculated mass/distortion at
11-12 o'clock in the left breast
posteriorly. Ultrasound was performed for additional evaluation.

Real-time ultrasound demonstrates an area of focal fibrocystic change
with numerous subcentimeter
cysts at 11:30, 5 cm from the nipple posteriorly. However within this
area of fibrocystic tissue
there is a complex hypoechoic nodule measuring 5 mm as well as
overall decreased echogenicity and
vague irregularity. This likely correlates with the distortion
visualized on mammography. However as
it is best visualized on mammography, stereotactic biopsy utilizing
3-D is recommended for
definitive diagnosis."

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Comments

  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited May 2017

    I'm sorry you are dealing with this and I hope the biopsy comes back normal.

    If it is any comfort, mine was not spiculated. They were convinced I did not have cancer. They can't know till it's in the dish. Best to you!

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited May 2017

    I am sorry to say that "spiculated" is not the word you really want to hear. While there are cases that it turns out benign, it most often indicates cancer. Given the ultrasound findings, I am guess you should hope for the best but plan for the worst. I went through this myself. The doctor lied to me (because I always look things up on medical journals) when I asked if my mass was spiculated. He said no. I also was concerned 5 years previously about having an architectural distortion as reading the medical journals said often found with occult tumours. But no. They said not to worry. Five years later? Guess what. I accidently found out from my GP that my mass actually WAS somewhat spiculated AND it was in the place where the architectural distortion was. Be prepared. I wasn't and nearly had a nervous breakdown. I am hoping you get the benign diagnosis because you still can. (((HUGS))))

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  • GlossGirl
    GlossGirl Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2017

    Thank you WallyCat and BluePearl. That spiculated word terrifies me. Trying to prepare myself but remaining hopeful. Sooo hard.

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited May 2017

    I know it's hard, GlossGirl, but keep trying. If it helps any, mine wasn't speculated either and everyone was convinced it was nothing (until I met with my BS). Did they by any chance give you a BIRADS rating on your imaging study? that would help understand more about what they are expecting. Sending you good wishes for B9 results!

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  • GlossGirl
    GlossGirl Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2017

    It was just BIRADS 4 - not categorized further than that - and said "Final Assessment: Suspicious". When the radiologist spoke to me she said that it could be cancer but might not be so they needed the biopsy to see what was going on in there. Ugh. Trying to take the weekend to relax but honestly next week can't come soon enough!

    (Thank you for the good wishes!)

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  • Tappermom383
    Tappermom383 Member Posts: 643
    edited May 2017

    Waiting is the worst, Glossgirl. My mass was characterized as spiculated from my MRI. They also gave me a BIRADS of 5 (after mammo it was 0). And so I wasn't surprised by my diagnosis. So far this ride has been not too difficult. Had a lumpectomy and SNB. I'll be starting radiation next week.

    A diagnosis of BC is not what anyone wants to hear but it is manageable. Meanwhile, don't jump to any conclusions. And we're all here to help you. This site has been my lifeline.

    Best of luck to you. Keep us posted.

    MJ



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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited May 2017

    so GlossGirl, with a BIRADS 4 (with no alphabet sub-designation) there is a 70-80% chance of the finding being B9. And "suspicious" is what goes with category BIRADS 4, so the word itself doesn't imply additional meaning. I know that most likely doesn't help very much, but try your best to take care of yourself while you wait. Reduce your anxiety the best you can, make sure that you get some sleep and eat well. Hoping for good results for you come soon!

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