Not diagnosed and scared

A nodule is simply a small mass. It could be anything.  

I've had lots of nodules show up over the years.  When I was younger, they were fibroadenomas.  Then I had one that turned out to be deposit of fatty tissue that had managed to form itself into a small mass. In my 40s as I became pre-menopausal, I started to get cysts - lots and lots of cysts.  All those conditions are totally benign and harmless.  

Different screening methods 'see' different things.  For example, a cyst is fluid filled.  On an ultrasound and an MRI, the fluid in the center of the cyst shows up quite clearly, making it easy to identify a mass as being a cyst.  But on a mammogram, a cyst simply looks like any other nodule.  Mammograms, on the other hand, are better than ultrasounds at "seeing" some other things such as calcifications (which are very common and usually are harmless but can be a sign of breast cancer).  

You are being sent for the diagnostic mammo (which provides a magnified, and therefore clearer/more precise view of the area of concern) and an ultrasound because it's hoped that with these additional views, it will be possible to identify whatever the nodule is as being something that is harmless and benign, like a cyst.  If it can't be identified, then the next step would be a biopsy. Even if you are sent for a biopsy, it doesn't mean that you have cancer or even have a likelihood of having cancer - it just means that the films don't tell the doctors enough so that cancer can be ruled out (with about 98% certainty) and therefore a biopsy must be done to find out what the nodule is. 80% of biopsies turn out to be benign.  And in fact 95% of women who are called back for additional views, as you have been, turn out to not have breast cancer.

The following chart showing the diagnostic process might help you.  You are at the Diagnostic Workup stage.  

http://www.imaginis.com/breast-health/overview-of-breast-cancer-diagnosis-decision-process

Nodule is scary sounding! But it is anything with some junk in it. . I was diagnosed with two nodules and it was fat necrosis.

Hi I"m new here, they found 2 suspicious solid masses. 1 is 1.8 cm. The other is .66. Had screening manmogram, then diagnostic manmogram. Then an ultrasound. They cannot be felt by hand.

I go thru many mood changes. Biopsies Monday. Results Tuesday. Surgeon said she thinks it's cancer.

My friend went thru the same experience 17 years ago with the same surgeon. The surgeon told her the same thing and hers was benign.

I'm just scared it might have spread. I have no clue about anything.