I need help interpreting my ultrasound results!!!
Hi, a newbie here. I just turned 22 last week and I'm just here to ask a few questions regarding my situation. I hope you can help me as I'm already stressed enough and my anxiety has gone through the roof.
3 weeks before my period, I noticed a spontaneous clear-yellowish and sticky discharge from my right breast. At first, I noticed only a few drops but eventually it increased, so I decided to have a consultation with an OB which then advised me to have an ultrasound on the 3rd day of my period. The ultrasound results are as follows:
-MO, 9A: 1.7x1.8x1.1cm circumscribed homogeneously hypoechoic focus with smooth borders
-UO, 10A/peri- to retroareolar: 1.3x1.3x1.0cm circumscribed hypoechoic nodule with smooth borders, posterior acoustic enhancement superolateral to the nipple
-UO, 10A/B: 1.0x0.9x0.8cm lobulated hypoechoic focus with few internal calcifications
-UO, 11A: 1.4x1.8x1.2cm lobulated hypoechoic focus with internal calcifications and mild posterior acoustic enhancement
IMPRESSION:
Right breast nodules, some with suspicious sonographic features (10 and 11:00)
BIRADS Category 4: Suspicious abnormality - biopsy should be considered
***It's been a week since I had my period and I notice that the discharge significantly decreased. Can you please help me interpret my results and tell me the probable causes of my situation? We have no family history of any type of cancer. I've already discussed this with my surgeon but I haven't scheduled an appointment for excisional biopsy yet.
Comments
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So sorry that you are dealing with this, and at only 22!
It appears from the imaging that you have four small solid (hypoechoic) masses, all quite close together. The first two, with the smooth circumscribed borders, have features usually associated with benign nodules. The second two, because they are lobulated and have internal calcifications, are the ones that are raising a bit of concern, and that's why the biopsy is recommended.
The most common lump in younger women is a fibroadenoma. I had one at 16 and another at 20 - both were huge and I had them surgically removed (although I waited a few years before I had the second one removed). Some women just get one fibroadenoma but other women develop many of them. The fact that you have four masses is much more suggestive of fibroadenomas than anything malignant - it would be unusual to find 4 malignant masses, or 2 benign masses right next to 2 malignant masses - nothing's impossible of course, but it would be a very rare finding.
I'm not a Radiologist (just a patient with lots of experience with a range of breast issues) but I believe that the description of the first two masses would suggest a high probability that they could be fibroadenomas. The lobulation and calcifications of the other two masses are more unusual for fibroadenomas, but certainly some fibroadenomas do have those characteristics. And the location of the 4 masses - in the upper outer quadrant - is the most common location for fibroadenomas.
Usually core needle biopsies are done rather than excisional biopsies, but I'm guessing that because you have 4 masses and they are all close together, it's been suggested that you have the excisional biopsy to just remove the masses entirely. Is that what you were told?
Good luck with the biopsy. Please let us know how it goes. And here's hoping that all four masses turn out to be fibroadenomas, benign and harmless!
An Evaluation of Ultrasound Features of Breast Fibroadenoma
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Has the OB who ordered the test also gone over the results with you yet?
I'd call to book your biopsy asap because delaying will add stress and that is not good for your health. Just get the appt. Having a plan reduces stress. Don't think too far ahead, just book the appt, get this done and wait for pathology reports.
Birads 4 is still good odds it's a benign condition
Hugs
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Dear reddia27.
Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry that you find yourself here with these breast changes but we are glad that you reached out. You have already received some helpful responses from our members. You may want to check out this link to information related to questions about imaging concerns. Here is some additional information about Ultrasound. Keep us posted on how you proceed and what you learn. We are here to support you.
The Mods
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Hi! Thank you so much for responding. It really meant a lot to me!
My surgeon assured me that the probability of it being benign is high, given my age. She told me not to worry too much as it may just cause me a lot of stress (but I just can't help it!!!!!!). My biggest worry, actually is the ongoing spontaneous discharge
I've already read about Fibroadenoma but it says there that this benign condition doesn't really cause nipple discharge. I've also researched about Intraductal Papilloma but it says there that it mostly occur in women over 40. I'm so confused now
Regarding my excisional biopsy, I haven't scheduled it yet because I'm still having second thoughts plus I'm really scared to go under the knife (furthermore, I'm also struggling financially). I'm only 22 and have always been healthy. I really don't understand why I'm going through this now....
((((((((
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Hi! Thank you so much for responding. It really meant a lot to me!
My surgeon assured me that the probability of it being benign is high, given my age. She told me not to worry too much as it may just cause me a lot of stress (but I just can't help it!!!!!!). My biggest worry, actually is the ongoing spontaneous discharge
I've already read about Fibroadenoma but it says there that this benign condition doesn't really cause nipple discharge. I've also researched about Intraductal Papilloma but it says there that it mostly occur in women over 40. I'm so confused now
Regarding my excisional biopsy, I haven't scheduled it yet because I'm still having second thoughts plus I'm really scared to go under the knife (furthermore, I'm also struggling financially). I'm only 22 and have always been healthy. I really don't understand why I'm going through this now....
((((((((
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She didn't discussed anything with me yet. She just advised me to undergo excisional biopsy since the other options won't guarantee accurate results
((
Regarding my excisional biopsy, I haven't scheduled it yet because I'm still having second thoughts plus I'm really scared to go under the knife (furthermore, I'm also struggling financially). I'm only 22 and have always been healthy. I really don't understand why I'm going through this now....
((((((((
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