Interpreting Mammograms: Architectural Distortion

Is there such a thing as a mammography guided biopsy? 

For arch distortion, I was told yes there a way to biopsy that using mammo. I have the arch distortion also but first having a biospy on microcalcifications W mammo, but for the arch distortion in another area they said in my case they will likely do my biopsy by mri. It cannot be seen on US so cant use US in my case. Maybe in my case harder to see so mri over mammo. Not sure.

I've had several stereotactic biopsies over the past 15 years, at a couple of different facilities, and they were always done sitting up. Reading on this site about the ones done lying down, I was always glad to be sitting comfortably (well, relatively comfortably, considering that my breast was in a vice), facing the nurses and the Radiologists, who would always talk to me to keep me calm and keep my focus off the procedure. And with one that went very long (the Radiologist had difficulty accessing the calcifications), the nurse held a juice box so that I could have some sustenance.

Beesie-good to know. The juice box made me laugh! Love it-need some levity about now. I get my biopsy “sitting up” next thurs. for some microcalcifications. They did a 3D mammo (my first 3D I think only had 2d done before this at a diff facility). So I assume its 3d for the biopsy and prob using the attachment djmammo is referring to. I also get my mri for another breast issue on the same side, diff location (a distortion) the day before because my period messed up the original schedule (showed up early).

Oh how none of this waiting and worrying is good. If it wasnt for my family history (breast cancer plus ADH and just some benign fibrocystic changes) as well as my “heterogeneously dense breasts”, I might not be AS worried. Hard to say. Ive been getting the dense breast disclaimer for years and have confirmed fibrocystic changes on that side as of 10 years ago. (My only other breast mri ever) Sigh....

DJmammo, I have a question about the little marker jobbies they place after surgery. I had a surgical biopsy and they placed markers. Then I had a lumpectomy and they placed more markers. In the recovery room it was discovered that I was bleeding into the surgical site, my boob was the size of a basketball, I went back into surgery where they opened me up again, cauterized again, placed MORE markers and stitched everything together again.

Now my mamms look like my boob was in a duck hunting accident and is full of buckshot. If you connect all the dots it makes a picture of Sponge Bob Square Pants. How on earth is anyone supposed to tell anything by this mess of dots? I counted 13 of them on my last mammo, and there might have been some I missed!

Footballmama-I have the same finding after a 3d mammo. Did you have your stereotactic biopsy on a 3d machine? Or something else?

I am a 40 year old who just went for my first mammogram this past month. The mammogram identified a spot on my left breast, which then resulted in a follow up ultrasound and mammogram. They are now sending me for a biopsy next week.

They noted an architectural distortion in my left breast in an area that I had aspirated (it was a cyst) twice in my late 20s. Is there still a chance that this is benign and related to that cyst? How long does it normally take to get the results of the biopsy? I am a nervous wreck and a mom of two young kiddos who need me.

Thank you for your help.

The ultrasound report says this: A focal area of architectural distortion persists within the upper outer quadrant of the left breast. This measures approximate 1.3cm in maximal dimension. The remaining breast parenchyma is unremarkable.

Ultrasound of the left breast demonstrates an ill-defined hypoechoic maaa with associated posterior shadowing at the 12 o'clock position posterity. This measures 1.3x0.8x0.8 cm sonographically. The surrounding breast parenchyma is unremarkable.

BI-RADs 4: Suspicious abnormality. Biopsy should be considered.

Breast composition C: Heterogeneously dense.

Thanks for the quick response, djmammo. Is there a high likelihood it is cancer from that reading?

Thanks. I feel like this just came out of nowhere since I'm so young (40). How quickly will they be able to identify my prognosis and stage of cancer? This isn't a death sentence, right?

Went through a third round of ultrasounds/mammograms at a top hospital near me. Had a biopsy where they took 7 samples. It came back benign, but they are recommending that I see a surgeon to have what they are calling a radial scar removed. They did not think there is a chance of cancer. Should I still be worried? Do you know how much of the breast they remove when this happens? I see a surgeon in a week and a half. Thank you so much!

Thanks so much, djmammo. Do you know what the urgency is on this kind of surgery? Do they want patients to do it asap, or can it wait a few months?