Age 70, spiculated masses.....

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LinnyG
LinnyG Member Posts: 44
edited August 2018 in Waiting for Test Results

"multiple solid, irregularly shaped masses", spiculated, hypoechoic - results from diagnostic US. "highly suspicious of malignancy" But....minimal internal blood flow. Birads 4b. I know my age is against me, but that minimal blood flow.... Having US-guided needle biopsy on Monday (8/20). I am keepng busy, working out, swimming, grandkids, etc. But at night my thoughts go to the 'what ifs'. My question, I guess, is that it seems like the minimal blood flow contradicts the spiculatd descripion - thoughts? This waiting is tough!


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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited August 2018

    I'm also 70. You and I--we're at a good age. Never thought I'd ever get this old.

    I've been diagnosed with two different breast cancers and I'm doing fine. I way more affected by my darn slipped disk than anything that cancer has done to me. Don't worry--I don't think that age is against us. The cells divide slower and that should be an advantage.

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited August 2018

    Minimal blood flow is a good thing, as cancer needs a blood supply to grow.

    There are a few other conditions that can mimic cancer on imaging (i.e. speculated). One is a radial scar. Other is necrosis. So hang tight. I see you are an RN. You know that a biopsy really is the only way to know.

    Keep breathing. Play with those grandkids and keep busy. Minimal blood flow is a good thing

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  • LinnyG
    LinnyG Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2018

    Thank you for your encouraging words. My head knows the + and the - of my report....but....I can't let the emotions get the best of me! Much as I've told people NOT to go to Dr. Google, I went there but I think I'm done with it and will wait for the biopsy results. Thanks again and have a good weekend!

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  • Auggie1
    Auggie1 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2018

    To encourage you, I had 2 biopsies a week ago and it wasn't bad.  The most I felt was getting it numb and if I felt anything they added more local anesthetic.  They do take several samples. I had two areas to biopsy.  They had to put pressure on afterward for 10 minutes.  It was hardly sore.  I could feel a little stinging at times for a couple days.  The bruising was minimal.  Oh, I'm 74!

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited August 2018

    Linny, if it helps knowing and is encouraging.

    You have a Bird 4b and since you have been googling, you know what that means.

    I have seen BIRAD5 come back B9 with things like "spiculated" etc. in their reports. And like I mentioned before, when that happens they tend to be a radial scar or necrosis.

    Minimal blood flow is what, I am gonna guess, is why they radiologist gave you a 4B rather than a 4C or 5....


    If you go to the "Not Diagnosed but Worried" forum right above this one, there is a retired breast radiologist who can give you his thoughts. DJMammo is his screen name

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  • jenndenino578
    jenndenino578 Member Posts: 75
    edited August 2018

    Well I am certainly not a medical professional but you can read through my posts if you feel like it. I documented everything in my posts. I'm 58 y.o. I had a "spiculated, suspicious finding, architectural distortion" on my mammogram and my ultrasound. MRI showed minimal enhancement. (I don't remember them saying it was solid though). Ended up with a radial scar which they removed. There was ADH though unfortunately. You won't know until they do the biopsy and probably have a excisional biopsy. Hopefully you will luck out with a radial scar....not exactly great but...better than the alternative. It's very stressful to go through this...


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  • LinnyG
    LinnyG Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2018

    Thank you so much. I've been away and unplugged. Had the biopsy Monday morning and it was not as bad as I thought. Husband and I went directly to the beach to be with son and little granddaughters. They sure have a way to distract! Now home and waiting for the call. Hoping for tomorrow. Thank you again.


    Linda

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  • Jujibean
    Jujibean Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2018

    Yup, you and me both. My biopsy was tuesday. Birads 5, but no mention of blood flow, just one mass. I can't sleep. The last time I felt this bad emotionally was 6 yrs ago, dealing with a suicidal teen. But she is a huge success story today, so this could be too. No matter what though, the feelings are there and we have to live each minute of them. My best to you.

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  • Jujibean
    Jujibean Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2018

    Got the call, IDC... Thank god they call right away. MRI next....

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  • LinnyG
    LinnyG Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2018

    Sorry to hear that Jujibean. Please keep us posted. Will be thinking of you.

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  • LinnyG
    LinnyG Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2018

    Got THE call: positive for mucinous carcinoma, plus atypical ductal dysplasia. Digesting the news and, of course, reading. Radiologist said it is a very treatable cancer with a good prognosis. Next stop: breast surgeon.

    This is an amazing, supportive site. Thank you for all of the responses. Whew - this is like cold water in the face!

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited August 2018

    Linny,

    I am sorry to hear that it was positive. With that said, yes, it's a very treatable form of BC, and a rare one. Keep breathing. Research only that information that you know about *your* kind of BC (there are over 22 different kinds of BC)


    Mucinous carcinoma

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  • Jujibean
    Jujibean Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2018

    thanks. My situation is complex, and i can see my next hope will be an mri that doesnt show mulitfocal disease. I am expecting a sentinel node, but dont want to find more foci and/or in the other breast. I am lucky to have a surgeon with whom i have a good relationship... He excised a benign intraductal papilloma in the left breast when i was 43.

    I wonder whether papillomas are predictive of higher cancer risk? And I have dense breasts.

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  • Jujibean
    Jujibean Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2018

    thanks. My situation is complex, and i can see my next hope will be an mri that doesnt show mulitfocal disease. I am expecting a sentinel node, but dont want to find more foci and/or in the other breast. I am lucky to have a surgeon with whom i have a good relationship... He excised a benign intraductal papilloma in the left breast when i was 43.

    I wonder whether papillomas are predictive of higher cancer risk? And I have dense breasts.

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  • Jujibean
    Jujibean Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2018

    sounds like a very favorable result. Keep us informed.

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  • LinnyG
    LinnyG Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2018

    I was able to see a Jefferson breast surgeon the day after my diagnosis, thanks to my daughter-in-law. I have 2 sites, with microcalcifications between. ER+, PR+, HER2- Oncotype will be done during surgery. Seeting a plastic surgeon Thursday. Option 1 - mastectomy L breast. Option 2 - lumpectomy but since the sites are not together, a fairly large amount of breast tissue would be excised, too much to re-build. Plastic surgeon will evaluate. Will keep you posted.

    How are you doing?

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  • Jujibean
    Jujibean Member Posts: 21
    edited August 2018

    Hi LinnyG, I have a hard time determining whether a post online is a text reply to me or not. But in my situation, the results just get not so good then more I find out... so my lab report is showing HER2 equivocal (2+), ER positive, and heterogenous disease... both IDC and DCIS. the IDC is intermediate grade, the DCIS is high grade with focal necrosis. No swollen lymphs. I think my dr will say it is Stage IIA. The HER2 indeterminate response bothers me a lot. two more weeks for the FISH test resutls, geez. I also have surgically treated Graves Disease, an autoimmune disorder otherwise known as overactive thyroid. There is a link between some autoimmune disorders and breast cancer, so it looks like I was a higher risk to get cancer anyway. Seeing my dr on Friday. Today was a bad day, but each day is different. I was surprised to read your surgery options... gee mastectomy. You see I start to think I am a mastectomy candidate. Oh well, so much energy expended. Coping strategy. Wish me luck on Friday. I need it.

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  • LinnyG
    LinnyG Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2018

    I'm so sorry about the news. I had to look up what a FISH test is. The wait for results is torture, then a wait for an appt. So good that you have a surgeon that you have a relationship and who you trust. What are you doing for yourself in the meantime? Do you work? Getting some exercise? I swim almost every morning and it is my meditation...and medication. And doing weights with a trainer. If I didn't, I find myself wanting to hibernate and I don't want to do that! I will be thinking of you Friday. Please let me know how it goes.

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