Overanalyzing and waiting for biopsy - BI RAD 4
Hi all; I'm currently waiting for biopsy results, and have found myself reading through this forum constantly over the last two weeks. I've been bouncing back and forth between not being concerned in the slightest, to spontaneously crying for 10 minutes and being riddled with anxiety. I noticed several women in the BI-RAD 4 category who did ultimately have BC - if you are reading this, and don't mind sharing more about your experience, I'd appreciate it so much!
My ob-gyn recently found a lump June 19 during my annual exam, and I got my ultrasound June 22. I just had my biopsy today (7/5) and was told I would have the results back possibly tomorrow but most likely Monday (7/8).
During my ultrasound, the doctor seemed mildly concerned and pointed out one side of the mass that did not have the typical smooth edges that you'd find in a benign mass. He said I could wait 6 months, but he'd feel better doing a biopsy and ruling out BC. Today, he seemed much less concerned because the mass hadn't changed in size at all and told me there that these kinds of masses generally turn out to be 90% benign. I asked again why I needed the ultrasound if it was so normal, and he had a vague answer that wasn't helpful to me.
I know we are supposed to avoid the google black hole but it's so tough! I'm 29, and my grandmother is the only person in my family who has had BC. I know none of us are true experts, I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed and wanted to share this post. Thank you for reading this!
Comments
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Hi there and sorry about the waiting - this initial stage is so awful. But overall the explanation of your ultrasound results doesn't sound too scary. Our resident expert, DJMammo, has a list of "good" and "bad" words on the site somewhere and I'm sharing since it may be helpful:
GOOD: Oval; parallel; circumscribed; anechoic; hyperechoic; isoechoic; posterior enhancement or good through-transmission; avascular; macrocalcifications include pop corn, large rod like, rim, milk-of-calcium
BAD: Irregular; non-parallel (can also be written as "taller-than-wide"); not-circumscribed margins includes indistinct, angular, microlobulated, and spiculated; hypoechoic; posterior shadowing; architectural distortion; internal vascularity; microcalcifications including amorphous, coarse heterogeneous, branching, fine pleomorphic.Do try to stay busy and offline til your get your biopsy results tho - Dr. Google is not your friend.
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Thank you!! Those word groupings are incredibly helpful!! I feel embarrassed for being this worried when it will likely turn out to be benign. Thank you again.
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Thank you!! Those word groupings are incredibly helpful!! I feel embarrassed for being this worried when it will likely turn out to be benign. Thank you again.
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My tumor was Birad 4. But it showed a obvious blood source for my tumor and all. If this doctor isn't really concerned and telling you you could wait 6 mo then there must not be much to be worried about. They pretty much wanted me to have biopsy right away. So with how you are describing what the doctor said, I would lean on the not too worried side.
Keep us posted! Hugs! It isn't fun waiting for results at all! Totally understand!
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Just the words "breast cancer" are scary so please don't be embarassed to be worried -- we are all going through the same ordeal and completely understand! Fingers crossed for you.
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