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Sattaylor
Sattaylor Member Posts: 11
edited April 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi: I had my yearly mammogram last Monday and then called back in Friday for more testing.  I believe it was ultrasound and 3D imaging.  The lady doing the 3D imaging did put my ultrasound images up on a screen and showed me what she called a spiculated mass.  Looked scary!  large star like image or like a spider.  They sent me home.  I went back to work, and not 10 minutes later they called me and told me to come back because they wanted more images.  When I arrived they took more images.  The radiologist came in and spoke with the lady doing the ultrasound.  I did not understand anything they were saying.  They did not speak directly to me.  When done, the radiologist just said I needed to call my gynocoogist ASAP and get an appointment to see a surgeon.  She would not say anything more.  Later that afternoon, the nurse at my gynecologist office called and gave me the appointment time for the surgeon which is tomorrow.  Why won't anyone tell me anything!!!  Will the surgeon tell me everything tomorrow?  Who actually will be giving me this news?  Should I take someone with me to this appointment tomorrow?  I don't want to me told I have Cancer when I am alone.  I know I won't hear a word after that.  Will the surgeon know what we are dealing with from my mammogram ,ultrasound and 3D imaging?  I know they have to send off the biopsy to know for sure, but will they be able to give me some indication?  I'm worried sick and need to know something.  

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited April 2019

    They're recommending you get a biopsy, which will be performed by a breast surgeon. The radiologist can't give you a diagnosis--they only know that an area warrants further investigation. If it will help, there should be a BIRADS score on the radiologist's report.

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  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 577
    edited April 2019

    ingerp is right. But in the meantime, take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Keep doing that. A biopsy doesn’t mean cancer. And cancer doesn’t mean death. Don’t spend time googling; do take a few minutes to write down some questions for the surgeon. If you have someone who can remain calm and focused, ask that person to join you at the doctor’s office to take notes. Take lots of deep breaths through your nose - these will help you to stay calm.

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  • Sattaylor
    Sattaylor Member Posts: 11
    edited April 2019

    I don't have the paperwork from the radiologist's reports, so I don't know anything.


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  • Sattaylor
    Sattaylor Member Posts: 11
    edited April 2019

    I understand.  I'm the worst about Googling stuff!  Spiculated Mass does not seem to be a good thing.  

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited April 2019

    I would stop Googling. For real---unless you have background knowledge in reading radiology reports, you are only going to drive yourself crazy. You see the surgeon tomorrow, so that's good. Try to distract yourself with other things until then. Go out for coffee or ice cream, or binge watch something on Netflix. I know that's hard, but from a fellow Googler who's gone through cancer treatment, trust me when I say that reading stuff online will definitely not help you at this point.


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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2019

    1 .The radiologist was completely rude. He/she should have told you what the concern was and answered any questions you had. Instead, you were pushed off to your OB/GYN. That is completely unacceptable. This radiologist passed the buck and is letting someone else do the explaining. This is horrible patient care. They cannot diagnose, but they can explain in understandable terms what they are seeing and why it is concerning.

    2. I am glad you were able to get in with the surgeon tomorrow. Hopefully this is a surgeon you are comfortable with. Research him/her and ask around in case you do not get a good vibe from this individual. Come prepared with a list of questions.

    3. Stop at the radiologist's office today. Ask for a copy of the report. You have a legal right to your medical records. I have a copy of every one of my reports. You can type up anything you do not understand on this thread: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/83/topics/858196?page=39#idx_1141 and DJmammo can help put it in understandable terms.


    Keep us posted.

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  • Sattaylor
    Sattaylor Member Posts: 11
    edited April 2019

    Thank you!  I will call today and try to get the reports.  I have plans to go to Cold Stone Creamery tonight for some Better Batter ice cream. Maybe this will lift my spirts.  

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  • kber
    kber Member Posts: 394
    edited April 2019

    Let me add a counterpoint to the "Stay off Dr. Google" advice.  After all, google probably brought you here, right?  Google / internet research is a double edged sword.  It can drive you crazy, but it can also prepare you with well researched questions to ask and options to explore.  Be discerning about hype and crazy stuff.  If it sounds too outlandish to be true, it probably is.  However, there are advantages to being an educated patient.  I know I make myself a bit of a pain the ass to my medical team, but it's my body and my life and if they can't handle being occasionally questioned or pushed, well, tough!  I find research helps me advocate for myself better.  That said, I also brought someone (my husband in my case) with me to my early appointments and still do for my "important" ones.  It can help to have a second pair of ears, as well as a pair of broad shoulders. 

    Good luck and I hope you get answers quickly!

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  • Sattaylor
    Sattaylor Member Posts: 11
    edited April 2019

    I got my report.  It does not say much.  Architectural distortion persists.  Biopsy recommended.  BI-RADS 4. 

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited April 2019

    That's the only information you can get out of a mammogram. BI-RADS 4 is a 20-35% probability of being malignant. The biopsy will confirm one way or the other.

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited April 2019

    My understanding is that BIRADS 4 means they don't think it's cancer, but it could be. So they need a biopsy to rule it out. BIRADS 5 means they think it is cancer, but they could be wrong. So they need a biopsy to confirm it. Don't drive yourself crazy trying to figure it out based on the reports. Even the doctors can't do that. That's why they want a biopsy.

    Plenty of medical practitioners are great at medicine and poor at communication. It causes so much extra stress. I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

    Biopsy results can take a while to come back. For me it was about 9 days. The waiting is very stressful but there's really no way out but through. I don't think you'll get any results tomorrow.

    You can ask them how you will get results. I think usually they send them to the physician who ordered the test. In this case, it would be your gynecologist. Then your gynecologist should share your results with you. You could talk to your gynecologist about how you want to hear the results - set up an appointment? schedule a phone conversation?

    Hoping for benign results and fast!

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  • MexicoHeather
    MexicoHeather Member Posts: 365
    edited April 2019

    My radiologist said BIRADS 4 was strongly suspicious and a biopsy needs to be done. I had spicules on both breasts - one was benign and the other side was trouble. That's why the biopsy is so important. Keep all your reports while you investigate this.

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  • jenney75
    jenney75 Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2019

    I’m right there with you! Same results and biopsy scheduled! Hope you get good hees

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