Recent Mamo and Ultrasound

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Nene22
Nene22 Member Posts: 8
edited September 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hello everyone. I am 37 and recently (4 weeks ago) found two lumps in my right breast. The first is in the 10 o'clock position and feels like a semihard pebble, but the tissue immediately surrounding it isalso harder than the rest of my breast and I cannot find the bottom to it. I think this may be a cyst, but it doesn't hurt and I have never had any lumps in the past. I waited to se if it changed after my period, but I have not noticed a significant difference other than the slightly hardened area. That was not there first. The second lump is in the bottom center and feels really deep. I do have implants so I initially thought it was inside the implant. This one is like a seed and significantly harder with a pointy part. Almost as if I had a stitch sticking me.

My women's health doctor sent me to get a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound last week of my right breast only. The mammo went fine, but the ultrasound tech seemed annoyed and did not attempt to try to find my lumps (which you can feel). She told me the deep lump couldn't be deep because I had implants. The whole untrasound lasted 6 mins and then I was told to go to the waiting room. The radiologist came in maybe 2 min later and told me there was nothing there and I was fine. Let me say I do not believe I have cancer, but I am definitely not crazy and there are two very distinct, but different lumps in my breast. I asked her how they couldn't see the lumps and she just told me she didn't know, I had lumpy breasts and the only thing she could advise was to get an MRI. Our whole conversation was under a min and she was extremely dismissive. That said, I called my clinic and requested a second opinion. I'm in the military so I have to get approval first.

Today, I received a letter from the ultrasound clinic that said my mammogram showed no signs of cancer. No mention of the ultrasound at all. Tonight I shined a flashlight into my breast (trust me, I know I sound crazy...LOL) and I can clearly see both lumps. The bottom one is dark and the one on top is only dark around a side. Im just trying to figure out what I should do next. I would have much better if she simply said, I had lumps , but she didn't know what they were or that although there, she was sure they weren't cancer. Telling me I don't have anything like I'm crazy is beyond frustrating.

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

    Nene22

    Request copies of both reports, reading these often helps.

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited May 2018

    Indeed, djmammo is correct. Get copies, and if you feel you need it, get a second opinion.

    Hang in there

  • Nene22
    Nene22 Member Posts: 8
    edited September 2018

    Thank you both! I received the report and it basically said there was nothing there at all. Everything looked normal. However, my gyn sent me to another facility and they redid the tests. This is what that report says:

    Mammo: Very dense fibroglandular elements are seen with BI-RADS breast density category D. This limits the sensitivity of mammography. No focal masses or suspicious clustered microcalcifications are appreciated mammographically.

    Ultrasound: "In one area of palpable concern there is a generally hypoechoic smoothly marginated nodule along the implant margin measuring 4 x 1 mm demonstrating shadowing. This questionably could represent localized calcification along the capsule of the implant as the implant reportedly has been present for the last 9 years. Given the presence of this shadowing structure against the margin of the implant, this lesion is not amenable to ultrasound -guided percutaneous core biopsy."

    Under "Findings" the report restates the above note, but adds: "This is nonspecific though given the appearance."

    Continued...

    "In the other area of palpable concern there is an ovoid hypo to anechoic structure having the appearance of a cyst measuring 3 x 3 x 3 mm consistent with highly probably benign finding."

    "Assessment category BI-RADS 3-probable benign findings."

    I requested an MRI instead of getting a biopsy and was told that I have to see a surgeon first and then they have to request an MRI. That appointment is for next Monday. However, its with a general surgeon.

    Either way I first noticed these lumps in April and they have not gone away. I can't really say they have changed because I stopped worrying until I got the results. I'm glad that this wasn't all in my head, but I feel like I still don't really know anything for certain. I also thought that I read they don't use BI-RADS 3 because it causes anxiety...LOL

    Any feedback/thoughts would be great and appreciated!

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

    They use Bi-Rads 3 all the time, and it means less that 3% chance of being cancer.

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited September 2018

    Seeing a surgeon sounds like a good next step for you to gain additional clarity. We understand how frustrating it can feel when you don't believe you received a thorough testing due to a technician. Keep us posted, and hang in there.

  • Nene22
    Nene22 Member Posts: 8
    edited September 2018

    Thank you both for the information and encouraging words. It is frustrating and it makes it harder not to second guess the information that you are provided when someone clearly got it wrong the first time.

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