Architectural distortion

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Fan1
Fan1 Member Posts: 2
edited August 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello all!

I recently received a mammogram and an ultrasound. I was told I have architectural distortion. The radiologist said they didn't see a mass but still wanted me to have a biopsy. I am extremely worried that it is cancer. I have never had a biopsy and I am 61 years old, my mammograms have always came back fine. I have never had any surgeries, so is there anything else it could be besides cancer? What are the odds


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  • besa
    besa Member Posts: 1,088
    edited January 2018

    There is something called a "radial scar" that can cause an architectural distortion.

    As far as the estimate of odds that this could turn out to be breast cancer, the radiologist assigns a bi-rads score that gives his general opinion of the estimate. If you look at a copy of the radiologists report (the official report sent to your referring doctor) you can see the birads score.

    https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/breast_center/trea...


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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    Hello Fan1! I too had an architectural distortion noted on my 3D diagnostic mammogram on 12/19. There's a very good chance (I think around 80%) that it's nothing. The radiologist recommended a biopsy, but my surgeon had me get an MRI first. I had that on 1/18, and I'm awaiting those results.

    I know the unknown can be scary. Are you going to a breast surgeon for your follow-up?

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  • Fan1
    Fan1 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2018

    As of right now I have not been recommended to a breast surgeon, however I will certainly talk to my doctor about that. I believe when I talked to the radiologist that I am at a Bi-rads 4. I go in for my biopsy this Wednesday and the waiting and not knowing is very hard.

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  • momto3sons
    momto3sons Member Posts: 311
    edited January 2018

    My mammogram was BI-RAD 4, and the ultrasound was 3.

    Good luck on Wednesday! I hear you on the waiting - it's tough for sure!

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  • Ja9831
    Ja9831 Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2018

    What are the thoughts when architectural distortion is seen on all images. Mammo screening, 3D tomo and ultrasound and mri? Birads 0, then 0 again and then 4? I do have my biopsies scheduled. I just keep looking at my reports

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited January 2018

    BIRADS 0 means "incomplete" and the recommendation is more testing necessary; so that doesn't suggest anything, except more testing. BIRADS 4 (without a letter specifier) has a positive predictive value of 30% (which means that about 30% of BIRADS 4 rated findings are actually malignancies). Read more about that system here: http://breast-cancer.ca/bi-rads/

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  • Nicnojo
    Nicnojo Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2019

    So last year in April when we were working in Arizona, I was taking a shower (and I really didn't do actual self-exams, I just kinda felt around when I was showering), I found a pea size lump that felt like a pebble. I completely lost my shit. Then I also found a small pebble size spot up near my collar bone.

    Oddly enough, at this time I did not recall that a few weeks before, I was jolted awake in the middle of the night with a feeling in my left breast like I never felt before.

    Anyhow, I had my primary care doctor here call and fax over a diagnostic mammogram order. The technician who did the mammogram said she could feel what I was feeling, but it did not show up on the mammogram. They sent me over for an ultrasound, but the ultrasound technician did not even ultrasound the whole breast or get completely around the area - he was more interested in talking to me about my job grading Instagram ads and wasn't even really paying attention to the screen. I was so mad. I told my primary doctor how I felt about it. I was supposed to go back in 6 months but I did not. Because, hey, I'm mad and I'm stupid so I'll cut off my nose to spite my face so I did not make the appointment.

    And I do kind of feel like the radiologist looked at it quickly because there were so many women there - although I know the images are detailed


    I want to call tomorrow and ask them to take a second look. Do you think they will? It is Hill Breast Center in Jacksonville Florida. Right next to MD Anderson Cancer Center.

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  • Nicnojo
    Nicnojo Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2019

    So last year in April when we were working in Arizona, I was taking a shower (and I really didn't do actual self-exams, I just kinda felt around when I was showering), I found a pea size lump that felt like a pebble. I completely lost my shit. Then I also found a small pebble size spot up near my collar bone.

    Oddly enough, at this time I did not recall that a few weeks before, I was jolted awake in the middle of the night with a feeling in my left breast like I never felt before.

    Anyhow, I had my primary care doctor here call and fax over a diagnostic mammogram order. The technician who did the mammogram said she could feel what I was feeling, but it did not show up on the mammogram. They sent me over for an ultrasound, but the ultrasound technician did not even ultrasound the whole breast or get completely around the area - he was more interested in talking to me about my job grading Instagram ads and wasn't even really paying attention to the screen. I was so mad. I told my primary doctor how I felt about it. I was supposed to go back in 6 months but I did not. Because, hey, I'm mad and I'm stupid so I'll cut off my nose to spite my face so I did not make the appointment.

    And I do kind of feel like the radiologist looked at it quickly because there were so many women there - although I know the images are detailed


    I want to call tomorrow and ask them to take a second look. Do you think they will? It is Hill Breast Center in Jacksonville Florida. Right next to MD Anderson Cancer Center.

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited August 2019

    Fan1

    Not everything one can feel shows up on imaging. That being said, call your doc and express your concerns so they can contact that facility and speak directly to the radiologist for an explanation of the results. They may repeat it at no charge if you and your doc can make the case that it may not have been done properly.

    On the other hand MD Anderson has a great reputation. Perhaps you can schedule a follow up there.


    Also, In 30 years of practice I have never encountered a male US tech performing breast US.

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  • Nicnojo
    Nicnojo Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2019

    Thank you so much for your response. I called the Breast Center myself and they transferred my directly to the Diagnostic Imaging center to speak to someone. I discussed my concerns that I wasn't at peace and asked if someone could take at second look at the images. I was told absolutely, that the Dr. who read them yesterday wasn't there and their #1 Dr. was on vacation but they would have the next Dr. below him take a second look and call me back later this afternoon.

    Very interesting to know that you have not encountered a male US tech performing breast US.

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