mammogram after 2 ultrasounds, 2 biopsies and MRI

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CMaireC
CMaireC Member Posts: 5
edited July 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi. New to the sight. I'm posting on behalf of my 21 year old daughter (we'll call her Chrissy) who is too overwhelmed to post for herself.

In September she noticed a lump in her breast. The Dr palpated, dismissed it as a Fibroadenoma because of her age and told her not to worry. Within 6 weeks it had doubled in size so her Dr got her in for and ultrasound. Untrasound showed very dense breast tissue as well as a 2.4cm mass. 2 days later she was scheduled for a biopsy. Biopsy results showed ductal hyperplasia and some other abnormalities but no malignancy. We relaxed until she found another lump in Jan. She was sent for another ultrasound and the results showed acoustic shadowing and undefined margins so she had another biopsy and with the results of that was sent for an MRI. On Friday we received a call from the Breast specialist's office saying she has an appointment for a mammogram on Tuesday and we should expect an appointment for an excisment after the mammogram.

We're gobsmacked. I don't understand why they would send her for a mammogram after having an MRI. Isn't an MRI more accurate in diagnosing breast cancer? Wouldn't a mammogram be less effective as a diagnostic tool because of her dense breast tissue?

I'm not automatically assuming the recommendation for excisment means cancer but I'm confused and concerned because her Dr had been recommending leaving the tumour as long as it's benign. We're also frustrated that they called and gave us no other information.


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

    That does seem strange. Yes Mriis more sensitive and at younger age recommended. Dense breasts show up all white on the mammo as does any lumps so you can’t see them. That’s why mri. I wonder if some wires got crossed at one of the offices and they don’t realize she had the mri. She has had the mri right? Have you received those results yet? maybe they’re going to try to do a mammo biopsy? But again same visual issues...you’d want an mri guided biopsy. I’d call on Monday and push back. That mri should be sufficient. Is there a family history on either side for breast cancer or soft tissue cancers?

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  • CMaireC
    CMaireC Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2018

    She's already has 2 ultrasounds, 2 ultrasound guided biopsies (total of 8 core samples) AND an MRI. It's the same Dr at the breast clinic who's ordered all tests other than the very 1st ultrasound. We haven't actually received the results from the MRI yet. We just got a call end of day, Friday, saying the results are in and they've scheduled a mammogram for Tuesday the 3rd at 7am. And to expect an appointment for an excisment. The Dr was unavailable on Friday and her office is closed Monday (Canada day) so we aren't really able to ask any questions.

    We have no family history of breast or soft tissue cancer but my daughter was diagnosed with premature thalarchy as a toddler. Although no studies have been done to link breast cancer and premature thalarchy, I can't help but wonder since premature thalarchy is hypersensitivity to normal amounts of estrogen in breast tissue. Seems worthy of keeping a close eye on, imho.

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  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited June 2018

    So sorry she is going through this. Traumatic at any age nevermind so young. Was it in the same spot as the previous lump? Did the results come back from the most recent biopsy? similar or same as the previous lump? Wondering if so, if they want to remove it just to be 100% sure there is nothing else there and hopefully not return. As to why a mammogram...that is odd. She is young....Unless they want to for some reason have a baseline of both breasts. Dense tissue will most certainly be there so I don't know much of the value of having it.

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  • CMaireC
    CMaireC Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2018

    The biopsy of the 2nd smaller lump showed that it was indeed a Fibroadenoma. The results from the 2nd biopsy of the larger lump show the same results as when it was 1st biopsied. Ductal hyperplasia.

    Good to see I'm not alone in questioning the usefulness of a mammogram at this point. I'm guessing a series of clear-as-mud test results has the Dr just erring on the side of caution? I can't imagine a mammogram will add more clarity, though. =/

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  • ysi
    ysi Member Posts: 16
    edited June 2018

    Are they doing the enhanced mammo aka 3D or diagnostic? My guess is they want to check for calcifications and their patterns, and possibly locate markers placed during biopsy.

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  • CMaireC
    CMaireC Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2018

    I hadn't thought of that. Actually I was unaware that there was such a thing as a 3D or diagnostic mammo nor did I know they would place markers during a biopsy. Good information. Thank you!

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  • ysi
    ysi Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2018

    Be sure to call on Monday and clarify they are only doing the enhanced mammogram.

    If they don't have that technology, request they reschedule her to a facility that does.

    Where I am it is an automatic escalation to the enhanced version of mammo, when a lump is found. Her age is why her process seems retroactive-had she been older she would have automatically had mammo before ultrasound or biopsy.

    It is a real moneymaker to have people get the routine mammo first, and then bring them back for the enhanced mammo, if they saw anything on the routine mammo.

    Also, considering radiation concerns today, you want to be sure her initial mammogram is the enhanced version to lessen her overall exposure to radiation.

    Don't forget to schedule yourself if you are behind in screenings.

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  • CMaireC
    CMaireC Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2018

    We're in Canada, and with tomorrow being Canada day everything is closed so unfortunately I can't call before her appointment.

    Because we are in Ontario our health care system covers all tests so I can't really see it as a money grab.

    Thank you as well for the reminder to get screening, myself. I've never done so. I always assumed having been pregnant or breastfeeding for 12 years straight would stave off the need for screening before 50. I'm rethinking that logic.

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