Palpable lump but not scene on mammogram ultrasound or mri

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DanaD
DanaD Member Posts: 1
edited May 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

I am 37, my mother had breast cancer at 42, her mother also had it in 40’s, and my great grandmother on maternal side also had it. I did genetic testing, my mom won’t, negative for BRCA gene however positive for BARD1. I have a palpable lump on left breast that initially I felt a year and a half ago, it was an oval shape smooth and now I can feel another lump connected to it or next to it that feels like a small grape. No pain and it can be felt by all who have done breast exam. I have had any MRI a year ago and just had a mammogram and ultrasound two days ago, nothing was seen on imaging. I have very dense breast tissue. The surgeon doesn’t want to order another MRI because I had one last year And said it doesn’t feel malignant. She doesn’t think anything else needs to be done. I am unsure where to to go from here, because she has no concern should I also not? I am uncomfortable having a lump and not knowing for sure what it is

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited May 2018

    I’m like you... I’d like to have a better understanding of what’s going on before deciding to watch and wait. You can always ask to be referred to a breast surgeon and ask for an excisional biopsy. Frankly I’m surprised they haven’t done one...it doesn’t always have to be an image guided biopsy. I’d go excisional myself.

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited May 2018

    DanaD

    If a cancer was present when you initially found the lump a year and a half ago, it would have grown and become obvious on imaging by this time. As far as the second lump is concerned as a rule of thumb, cancers that can be felt are usually visible on a good ultrasound exam ( assuming experienced tech, experienced radiologist, good equipment, etc).

    Although I believe all new findings should be evaluated fully and to the patient's satisfaction, I don't believe there is a need to be excessively worried while you continue having it evaluated.

    I would call your insurance company about wanting another MRI. Let them know you are BARD1 positive. They usually allow one screening a year for people who have a calculated risk over a certain percentage. Since you have a new lump it may be considered diagnostic. Let us know how it goes.

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  • Giselle20
    Giselle20 Member Posts: 38
    edited May 2018

    maybe you can ask for a biopsy? Just to actually know what it is instead of guessing.

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