Mammo Came Back with 1 cm asymmetric density

Options
shimmer73
shimmer73 Member Posts: 2
edited April 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hi - i am 45 and have been getting yearly mammos since i was 38. Breast cancer runs on my mom's side, my 3 oldest sisters had breast cancer (they all tested positive for BRCA2) recently.... I tested negative. I just received my radiology report and the radiologist wrote: A 1 cm asymmetric density within the posterior inner left breast not completely included in the field of view. It is recommended that the patient have a cleavage view mammogram for further evaluation.

I have googled this and am now really worried that this is cancer (asymmetric density is typically associated with Invasive Lobular Cancer and is hard to detect through a mammogram). I recently (jul 2018) had weight loss surgery and have lost 65 lbs, and i've read where this may have an effect on asymmetric density.. but my diagnosis says "a 1 cm asymmetric density"... do you think that means I have a 1 cm mass ? I'm also wondering if I need to get with a breast oncologist and have her do the further testing - has anyone heard of a "cleavage view mammogram"?

Thanks for reading and i appreciate your comments.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited April 2019

    shimmer73

    "asymmetric density is typically associated with Invasive Lobular Cancer and is hard to detect through a mammogram"

    This is a prime example of the problem with Google. ILC may "typically" be associated with an asymmetric density but asymmetric densities are not "typically" associated with ILC. (a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not a square)

    It is good to know that you have priors for comparison. In this case one needs to know if this finding is new in an area previously well seen, or in an area that was not included in prior mammograms. Makes a big difference.

    Weight loss will make the breast look denser as the fat interspersed in the fibroglandular tissue goes away. Also if the breast has changed significantly in size more of it may fit in the image than prior to the weight loss. Sometimes that brings things into view that could not be seen before.

    A cleavage view is one taken from the top down but instead of viewing one breast it includes the inner half of each breast with the cleavage in the middle in an attempt to better see those portions of the breasts. If this finding persists they will do an ultrasound which usually tells us whats going on.

    Meanwhile 1) do not assume facts not in evidence 2) read my previous post concerning Dr. Google 3) keep your appointments 4) let us know what the followup shows.

    Here is a cleavage view:

    image




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shimmer73
    shimmer73 Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2019

    Thank you Djmammo for taking the time to provide me with this response. Will give an update as soon as I have my next imaging done.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories