Worried, waiting for biopsy

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Roccoriel
Roccoriel Member Posts: 17
edited February 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello,

I am 32 years old. My mom was diagnosed two years ago (at age 61) with Stage IV lobular breast cancer, which was apparently missed for about 5 years on her mammograms. I went for my annual GYN check-up last week and my doctor found a lump. Since then, I have had a mammogram and ultrasound, which found two lumps. One was marked as cyst, and the other, the doctor said it was probably a fibroadenoma. She initially suggested a 6 month follow up, but I was quite upset (as I was given the impression from my mom that her doctors kept thinking it was going to be less bad than it was, and she kept surprising them). She decided that I could have a biopsy to alleviate my fears. My report is as follows for my right breast (nothing was seen in the left):

Right breast: Obscured masses were seen in the lower outer breast and upper-inner breast. Mass upper inner breast proved to represent simple cyst. Mass in the lower outer breast proved to represent a solid lesion on ultrasound examination. No suspicious microcalcifications or areas of architectural distortion are observed.

Right breast ultrasound: Targeted ultrasound examination of the right breast was performed for evaluation of the mammographic masses. At the 1:00 position 5 cm from the nipple simple cyst measured 1.0 cm x 1.2 cm x 0.4 cm. At the 8:00 position 5 cm from the nipple hypoechoic well-defined oval mass measured 1.1 cm x 1.2 cm x 0.6 cm. This mass could represent a benign lesion such as a fibroadenoma. Malignancy seems less likely. Biopsy is recommended. Ultrasound guided core biopsy could be performed.

The doctor put BIRADs 4A on my chart, but the nurse who helped me get scheduled said that the doctor largely did that because I was concerned with the 6 month wait, and would have preferred not to give me that rating.

I have the biopsy on Monday and I am so anxious. I am getting married at the end of April and I'm scared to buy my wedding gown until I have results back, in case it is something and I need surgery. I don't want to talk to my mom about it because she has enough to deal with with her health (and my step-dad's, who has Stage IV stomach cancer). I just want to be able to be excited for my wedding, and feel confident that I will be able to help my parents with their health issues in the future and I'm beside myself with the waiting.

Thanks to all who read this.


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  • Giselle20
    Giselle20 Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2018

    I'm scared right now as well. I just turned 20 years old on the seventh of January and have been having anxiety for a while about random things.

    A few months back in november I thought I felt something a went in to ask about is only to be told they felt nothing there and I had fiberous breast and because I was 19 then they gave me a paper on changing lumps in teens and the whole spiel on how your boobs change during your period.

    So literally on Monday I was doing monthly self exam and noticed the smallest indent/dimple on my left breast near the fold on the outer side that goes to your arm/armpit. I think maybe I have seen it there for a while but I can't remember because it almost looks like a weird fatness fold or stretch mark. So I made my mom go with me yesterday and like all mom's she insisted it was nothing that it's just fiberous breast and I was wasting 25 dollars on a pointles co-pay.

    I showed my doctor the crease and she said it didn't look too concerning but preformed a full breast exam. She said she felt a lump I can't recall is she mention that it was small or not and she also said I had a lot of fiber and that most likely it is a cyst so the she gave me paperwork on fibrocystic breast. She said that she would recommend monitoring it for a couple of months but I said no so she is referring me for an ultrasound.

    I'm really scared because about five years ago my mom's sister had BC at like 46 she was lucky and found it really early so she is fine, and my dad has mentioned for years that his side of the family does get cancer but he has never specified. Also as a teen i got 4 full spinal X-ray's for scoliosis and thst can incres you risk. I am praying this is nothing because I just can't right now I want to cry all day. My mom keeps saying it's nothing because when she was young they found a cyst in her too, and both my parents insist that if I do get cancer it will be when im way older. Ever if that is true life is a crapshoot and you just never know.

    I hope everything turns out okay for you and that everything is benign.

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  • Rachel888
    Rachel888 Member Posts: 53
    edited January 2018

    Roccoriel, I would take comfort in the fact that the doctor recommended 6 month follow up because I think if they were worried they would recommend the biopsy right away. It's great you are getting it though so then you won't have to worry! Also sounds like it doesn't look suspicious which is also great!

    Giselle, it is great you are getting at ultra sound just to be safe. The odds of it being anything bad are really really low but might as well have it looked at to see what it is. Keep me updated!

    Best of luck to you both!

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  • Roccoriel
    Roccoriel Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2018

    Giselle, Thanks, I hope you are fine as well!


    Rachel: thank you. I'm glad they are letting me get the biopsy rather than waiting. With all that is going on with my mom and step-dad, I am extra worried about cancer, and I don't think I'd be able to handle the 6 months.

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  • Giselle20
    Giselle20 Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2018

    So I had my ultrasound today, I'm so happy they did it almost immediately.

    The teach and the radiologist both said they saw nothing in the ultrasound. Which struck me as a little weird because when my doctor did my physical breast exam she mentioned feeling the small lump, but maybe it was just the fiberous breast tissue?

    Hearing that definitely made me happy. But I'm still concerned with the small indentation, it can be hard to see and when I rase my arms it's practicaly impossible. The only way it is more obvious is when I like "flex" my chest which I did show my doctor but she didn't seem too concerned. When she calls me to confirm the report I will ask her about it.

    I doesn't help that I have anxiety either, after reading so many post where they felt a lump but ultrasound showed nothing. And my doctor said she felt something but the radiologist said she saw Nothing? I want to ask for an MRI but I doubt they will say yes.

    I have read that sometimes people get the same dimpling for no reason maybe if they fluctuate in weight or have breast feed and breast size has gone down. But none of those are me. I just don't want this to come back later to bite me in the but. And my family thinks I'm crazy so they don't want me to do anything.

    But anyways thank you guys for being there for a scared little girl, even though I'm not that little.

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  • Rachel888
    Rachel888 Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2018

    Hi Giselle great news! Try not to worry about it too much, if the doctors saw something they would tell you =)

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  • Roccoriel
    Roccoriel Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2018

    Glad things turned out okay for you Giselle!


    I go for my biopsy on Monday. I am so worried. My stepdad isn't doing well with his cancer and if something happens to him, my mom will need help, and if I'm sick, I don't know how I will help take care of them both :(


    I know my odds are good that everything is okay, but I'm just so stressed about what happens if I get bad results.

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  • Giselle20
    Giselle20 Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2018

    I don't know if by chance you have seen the forum here by djmammo he helps to translate peoples ultrasound report and he knows the Birad scale. I think the forum is titled Interpreting your report, his post also shows what are good and bad terms to see on the report. I was looking online for the birad4a and it says there is a 70% chance everything is OK and that sometimes they do a 4 because a 3 means they want to monitor for 6 months and that gives patients anxiety like you said, so they gave you a 4 to speed up a process. Also was reading that fibroadenomas on ultrasound can be described as hypoechoic which I saw on your result. Relax and take a deep breath.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited February 2018

    A Bi-Rads 4A is only about a 10% chance of being cancer-a very low possibility. NOT 30% Birads 4 (as a whole, no sub letters) is betwen 20-30% chance.

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  • Rachel888
    Rachel888 Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2018

    Hi Roccoriel so sorry you are so stressed. Your biopsy is so close so soon you will have peace of mind. My mother was diagnosed with BC while having to take care of my grandmother. Of course we all helped out and managed. Friends and family usually provide a great source of support. But despite her diagnosis and getting surgery there were only a couple of days where she was mainly in bed and not doing anything. She even went back to work after a week. Every BC case is different so I know it is hard but I would try not to worry until you get the results and see where you stand. Best of luck with the biopsy! Will be thinking about you!

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  • Roccoriel
    Roccoriel Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2018

    Thank you. My fiance has been very supportive, and went to the mammogram and will come to the biopsy with me. We had a long talk last night about how if the test turns out badly, we will figure out what we need to do for my health and my mom (including moving in together if needed).

    I only have two more days to wait until the procedure and then less than a week for results.

    I know it's good odds (with 4a being under 10% and I was basically told by the nurse that the doc would have very much preferred to make me a 3 but with my mom having stage iv, I'm totally anxious about this). I'm trying to keep my mind off of it, keep busy at work, etc. But the worries keep creeping in. I really appreciate everyone's kind words here.

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  • Willow_1647
    Willow_1647 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2018

    Please help! So scared...I'm 47 and was given a Birad 4 (no a b or c) and I'm going in for a biopsy in 3 days. I have no history or risk factors and am blind-sided. I can't eat or sleep or really even think. I'm divorced with two little girls, an aging mother, and beloved critters to care for and I have no one to turn to. Trying to be strong, but I just want to crawl in a hole and cry. My ob-gyn just said it was suspicious and had some blood flow to it. That's it. I did have a B9 fibroadenoma removed about 9 years ago. The mass is palpable and it aches and I don't know what to do with myself. Please share any kind stories. Thank you so much you...I know there are some strong ladies here.

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  • Roccoriel
    Roccoriel Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2018

    Hi Willow,

    As was said above, BIRADs 4 are about 70-80% benign. I know I'm scared out of my head too, but the odds are good. I hope we both get good news this week!


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  • Willow_1647
    Willow_1647 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2018

    Thank you Roccoriel...I'll be praying & hoping for you to get a B9:) The waiting is agony! 

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  • Roccoriel
    Roccoriel Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2018

    Hi Willow,

    I got my biopsy yesterday and since I think based on your post your's is today, I wan to let you know it isn't too bad. They numb you a lot and all you feel is pressure. It doesn't hurt. I took Tylenol as recommended last night but this morning it has certainly worn off and still doesn't really bother me.

    Good luck today. And I'm thinking B9 thoughts for us both!


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  • Rachel888
    Rachel888 Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2018

    Good luck Roccoriel and Willow! Praying for B9 results for you both!

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  • Willow_1647
    Willow_1647 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2018

    So glad that is over for you Roccoriel! I'm thankful to hear it isn't too bad of a procedure because I've been really stressing about it. I'm also a finger amputee and when that was treated I was strapped down with no numbing while they stitched me up :( My biopsy is tomorrow so one more day to go...please keep me posted on your dx Roccoriel as I'm sending big B9 thoughts your way.

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  • Willow_1647
    Willow_1647 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2018

    Thank you so much Rachel! I think this is the most difficult waiting game I've ever encountered. So thankful for angels like you :)   

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  • Roccoriel
    Roccoriel Member Posts: 17
    edited February 2018

    I just got my biopsy back and it's B9. Thank you for all the kind words!


    Willow, I hope you procedure went well and that you get good news soon too!


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  • Willow_1647
    Willow_1647 Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2018

    I just got a B9 also...so thankful for both us Roccoriel! Mine was a fibroadenoma with fatty deposits...so fibros can and do have their own blood supply at times. 

    Thoughts & prayers going out to all of the brave ladies on here :) 

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  • Rachel888
    Rachel888 Member Posts: 53
    edited February 2018

    Great news for you both!!!! I'm so glad =)

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