"Not totally benign" , MRI needed...

beachside, your surgeon is less a "fool" than you think. From medhelp:

Fibroadenomatous change

Fibroadenomatoid is usually used with the word Hyperplasia or Mastopathy. This is an incidental finding placed somewhere between Fibroadenoma and Fibrocystic Change and is a benign finding which like the other two conditions may increase your risk only slightly. Just another of the many benign breast lesions.

So fibroadenomatous change is, in fact, part of the fibrocystic change continuum.

Pathologyoutlines.com says, "Proliferation of intralobular connective tissue that resembles microscopic foci of fibroadenoma without an actual mass and without the typical circumscription of a fibroadenoma". Read more here: http://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/breastfibroadenomatoidchange.html

congrats on the b9 findings and good luck!

Bellapam, that is great news!! I am so incredibly happy that you finally have an answer! So will they aspirate the cyst and remove the fibroadenoma? That's so great, I'm just so glad you have something concrete.

MTwoman, I feel he's a fool for several reasons, first because I've already been told by the actual breast center that I have three month follow ups AFTER my appointment on the 14th, which I'm going to follow their advice over some rural country doctor who literally was going to do a lumpectomy on NOTHING in my breast, who in a sarcastic tone of voice said, "yayyyyy" when he said there was no cancer, like he was mad he was having to take the time to do the results of someone else's testing. Third, the surgical oncologist has already stated that with the two different radiologists giving me a BIRADS four, on two separate imaging methods, the follow up is important, not only to assess that the area hasn't changed negatively, but for peace of mind. I'm sure you're well aware that peace of mind is almost as important as a clear result in these situations. Not only do I have to assess whether or not I will end my hormone treatment (Estrogen-only) but I have other risk factors involved. The doctor had none of this at hand when he told me that there was "No need" to follow up, and that is why he is a fool. As far as the changes, yes, the fibroadenomatous changes are in between fibrocystic and a fibroadenoma tumor which I understand. However, I have an actual mass, on MRI, that was over half a centimeter with irregular borders, ALONG with the NMLE of 2.5 CM. So I don't understand how an actual mass, that is a tumor on MRI but the tissue didn't show on the pathology report. However, I do have it on my list of questions for the surgical oncologist.They will review my imaging and the pathology and go from there.

I hope you're getting ready for your MRI, VBarstad!! It's getting close, I bet!!

Finally! Good to hear you are moving ahead Vbarstad! Beachside, I am getting an excisional biopsy, so the whole mass is coming out, and I doubt they will bother to aspirate the cyst as it is part of that mass. I am guessing here, though. Ill know more after the preop appointment. My surgeon was not detailed, said I was basically "trading a lump for a scar". I'm fine with that, and they get a new tumor to play with in the lab. I like donating to science!

Now that is definitely beyond me. I'd need to dig into some research to find that info, and am cruched for time today, maybe DJMammo will come along and lend us his expertise?

no problem, MTW! I thought it might be an easy question, lol, but don't trouble yourself! I may look it up when I have a moment myself. I assumed you might know off the top of your head, didn't expect you to go searching. Thanks for all you do, MTWoman!

Well, I'm glad that you're donating to science, haha, Bellapam!! I can maybe kind of answer your question, however... Due to this:

My saga continues, I got a call today from the Breast Center. The radiologist that compares the pathology to the ultrasound to determine if results are concordant or discordant and to discuss results, etc. called me and asked if anyone had gotten a hold of me yet. I said that no, no one from the center had called me, and that the only person that had discussed the results with me had been the doctor that had given me the results as fibrocystic changes. She reiterated that this was, in fact, incorrect in that it was more "specfic" than that, that it was tissue that looked to be forming into a fibroadenoma but did not have the architecture of one as of yet. She said that it was fairly indistinct on ultrasound and MRI as well, it was the 2.5 cm NMLE on the MRI, and was concordant in her opinion. So I asked again, what then about the 6 mm mass or lesion with irregular margins at the 2:00 area? She pulled up the MRI and the biopsy clip placement mammo and said unless she was missing something big, it has not been evaluated. So, I am almost squarely back where I started, minus the NMLE being biopsied. I mean I'm glad it's been taken care of, but the other one with irregular borders was the one I was worried about to begin with. She said that it will take time for this biopsy to heal, and then the surgical oncologist will have to evaluate this other area that hasn't been looked at yet. She said that even if it takes a while for the tissue to heal and if I have to go off of the estrogen to ensure we're getting a good picture it isn't too alarming, so I am reassured by this, but it's still frustrating to know I've got another biopsy ahead. She mentioned that a wire localization with a surgical excision may be the route we take after another MRI but that will be up to the SO.

But to answer your question, she stated that it's not entirely a linear process, from fibrocystic changes to fibroadenomatous changes to fibroadenomas, she said its more of where in the breast it is. Fibrocystic changes are the umbrella term for all of the changes, from what I understood from her. From cysts, to adenomas, to radial scars and papillomas, they're all fibrocystic disease changes. They can sometimes follow a linear path from one to another in a certain category, but not in the entire group. She said that fibroadenomas typically are more involved in glandular tissues while cysts are different, so they aren't linear to the fibroadenomas, I guess. Idk. I found a page that has all of the different disease processes, it's really informative: http://breast-cancer.ca/fibrcyseast/

Hope everyone is having a great week!!! Lots of hugs for everyone!

VBarstad- so glad your testing is moving along now! I was whining and I did not have to wait as long as you have!

Beachside- thanks for that link- I love the Canadian Moose site! The doctor who runs it has been updating it as recently as late last month, so it is very accurate and informative. I know I probably read that page before, but I am going to read it again. I have been fascinated with the science behind BC since I have started my own diagnostic journey. I am a research nut! I'm on my last course for my graduate program (nothing medical related), and I have been a freelance writer for the past five years, so research is a big part of my daily activities. I am telling you this because I don't want anyone to think I am a hypochondriac obsessed with cancer. I have a lot of posts on this site for a person who does not have BC!

Pam

I love that site too! And appreciate the fact that they update it to keep current information available.

Hoping the excisional biopsy doesn't show anything other than the (already determined) ADH and radial scar!!

Yes, VBardstad, I hope you had a happy 37th! Welcome to the club I will be 38 in April! I can't believe we're sneaking ever closer to 40! Seems like I'm still in my 20's though!! It's just crazy! Hope all of you are doing well! It's finally fall, which is my FAVORITE! Football, falling leaves, trips to the pumpkin patch.. and occasional trips to the Breast Center, lol! I am sure that life is crazy for everyone but I just wanted to let you guys know I'm thinking of you all!

Great news!

Tobie, sorry to hear that things aren't as clear as you'd like. It's never fun to have things up in the air!!