Ultrasound Confusion: Radiologist Report vs Verbal Info Received

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited November 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried
Ultrasound Confusion: Radiologist Report vs Verbal Info Received

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  • sooner77995
    sooner77995 Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2018

    I accidently deleted my other posts :-(. So sorry I'm a newbie trying to get use to this forum.

    Help! I was A-Okay until my doctor called me immediately after my U/S to confirm I scheduled a biopsy (she didn't call after the mammogram). When she called she started mentioning some shadowing was seen on my U/S, etc. (although that's not noted on my U/S report). I am thinking it's merely a fibroadenoma (as the radiologist verbally told me after the U/S but once again didn't note on the report) but thought I'd share for feedback to calm my nerves.

    Backstory: OB/GYN wrote an order for a baseline Mammogram 06/2018 to be performed 09/2018. I ended up scheduling for 11/2018.

    11/14/18 Mammogram: Abnormal

    MAMMOGRAM FINDINGS: The breast parenchyma is heterogeneously dense, which may obscure small masses.

    Right breast findings: No suspicious masses, calcifications, or areas of architectural distortion.

    Left breast findings: There is a well-circumscribed round mass measuring 17 mm in the upper outer quadrant 3 cm from the nipple, anterior depth. This is most likely a benign cyst, but warrants complete sonographic evaluation on a baseline exam.

    IMPRESSION:
    Right breast: Negative. No evidence of malignancy. BI-RADS 1.

    Left breast: Well-circumscribed 17 mm round mass warrants complete evaluation with ultrasound on a baseline exam. Incomplete. BI-RADS 0.

    11/15/18 - Received call to schedule U/S

    11/19/18 Ultrasound: Abnormal

    FINDINGS: There is a hypoechoic mass with a lucent center in the left breast 2 o'clock position, 3 cm from the nipple, which corresponds to the mammographic finding. This measures 1.9 x 1.0 x 2.0 cm in maximum dimension. Walls are smooth. No other solid or cystic masses are seen.

    IMPRESSION: 1. Hypoechoic mass in the left breast 2 o'clock position for which ultrasound-guided biopsy will be scheduled.

    Recommendation 1: Biopsy is recommended of the left breast.

    ACR BI-RADS Category Code 4 - Suspicious

    U/S guided biopsy schedule for 11/21/18 & my OB/GYN has scheduled a Mammo Post Bx Diagnostic exam of the Left Breast.


  • Spoonie77
    Spoonie77 Member Posts: 925
    edited November 2018

    Hi Sooner -- I feel for you.

    Had a smiliar baseline mammogram, then US, then core-needle biopsy to confirm that the Bi-Rad 5 was truely cancer.

    BI-RADs 5 has a predictive value of the abnormality being cancerous 80-97% of the time, BI-RADs 4 23-34%, while a BI-RADs 3 has a 0-3% chance.

    When I had my US, they frankly braced me for the likelyhood of it being cancerous due to the appearance, shape, and so on. When I had the Core-Biopsy I freaked out because there was talk of "chest wall" and it was very difficult to biopsy. So my mind ran wild that the cancer was even worse than just being there and being cancer to begin with. Turned out neither of those things ended up being anything to affect my cancer or treatment. Sure stressed me out though!

    So as easy it is for me to say, try to not stress about the difference in what the dr is saying and what you see on the report...try to do it as best you can. Nothing will be for sure until you hear back about the biopsy results.

    When is that scheduled?

    I heard back my results a day later, so hopefully, if your procedure is soon, you'll not have terribly long to wait. I like your mindset though of trying to keep focused on it being a fibroadenoma until you know more.

    I know this website is not super techie but helped me in the beginning to learn more about BI-RADS levels and the beginning journey in the cancer world. Maybe it will help you... Moose & Doc BI-RADS Categories

    BI-RADS 4 category is usually split into 3 subcategories. I wonder why yours was not? Hmm, hopefully it is the 4a. Fingers crossed for you. Please keep us posted.

    While I have no idea if your Bi-Rad 4 will or will not be cancer, I can say the waiting is the hardest part. Hang in there!


    image

  • Spoonie77
    Spoonie77 Member Posts: 925
    edited November 2018

    Oh also, there is a website -- http://www.radiologyassistant.nl/en/p53b4082c92130... -- that has the Radiology and Mammography vocabulary listed.

    When I was waiting for my final results, it helped me see that some of the words listed in my reports were highly suggestive of cancer (i.e. "spiculated") and to prepare myself.

    I see that on your report it's listed as "smooth walls" and "round". From what I see on that website it seems that maybe that is in your favor. It looks like Fibroadema is listed under a BI-RADS 4. Again my fingers are crossed for you!

  • Dani444
    Dani444 Member Posts: 522
    edited November 2018

    Sooner77995-I agree waiting is the worse, sounds like they are being diligent with your findings so that is good. Spoonie has given you some good resources, just stay away from Dr. Google, most of the information you find will just stress you, and it may be inaccurate. It took a couple days if I remember correctly to give me the results and they did so over the phone so I didn't have to wait. I am not sure where you are but I feel you might have a wait due to the holiday. Also, they will place a titanium clip in the area that is biopsied and you will immediately get a mammogram to confirm placement. The clip identifies the area has been biopsied. I hope the best for you and that you hear back as benign soon.

  • sooner77995
    sooner77995 Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2018

    Thanks Spoonie. I definitely agree with my report has positive words on it. That’s why it was easy to schedule things and I felt relaxed (and would have remained relaxed if it wasn’t from my physician sounding rather anxious). I’m going to work on remaining positive :-). Thanks!

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