Rapsodia
04-17-2009, 03:47 PM
I had a routine mammogram done and for the first time it came back "abnormal screening." I'm in my late 40s with no family history of BC. The radiologist's report recommends additional screening because of "asymmetry" and I have to admit I don't know what that means. I'm having another compression and an ultrasound of the right breast. I actually feel a small, hard lump there. My sister said she had the same thing and her report came back stating dense tissue. I have to wait a couple of weeks. I'm sure it's nothing but am still nervous. I'd appreciate if anyone can explain "asymmetry" and help reassure me.
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Rapsodia
05-01-2009, 07:20 AM
I'm replying to my own post rather than start a new thread. If I get no response, I will go to another site.
I had a 2nd mammo and then ultrasound. The radiologist talked to me immediately after, saying there were two masses- very likely fibroadenomas. Actually, he's 100% sure one is a fibroadenoma and fairly certain the other is as well- but the only way to know for sure is to do an ultrasound-guided biopsy. So, now I'm waiting for the procedure to be scheduled- and hoping I'll be in the 80% group-- meaning among those women whose biopsies turn out to show that there is no cancer.
If anyone has had biopsy of fibroadenoma and can tell me more, I'd appreciate it. I thought fibroadenomas occurred only in women under age 40.
I had a 2nd mammo and then ultrasound. The radiologist talked to me immediately after, saying there were two masses- very likely fibroadenomas. Actually, he's 100% sure one is a fibroadenoma and fairly certain the other is as well- but the only way to know for sure is to do an ultrasound-guided biopsy. So, now I'm waiting for the procedure to be scheduled- and hoping I'll be in the 80% group-- meaning among those women whose biopsies turn out to show that there is no cancer.
If anyone has had biopsy of fibroadenoma and can tell me more, I'd appreciate it. I thought fibroadenomas occurred only in women under age 40.
marymk
05-01-2009, 10:36 AM
Hi,
I don't have personal experience with fibroadenoma's, but I did work with a woman who had one. They were very certain that's what it was, but since she had a family history of many different cancers, she had it removed and it was fine - just a fibroadenoma. She was younger than you - about mid 30's.
Since you have never had a mamogram before, you may have had these at a younger age, and just didn't know it. I know that when you get them - they don't go away on their own. I think your chances that you'll be in the 80% is very good and they are most likely both fibroadenoma's.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Mary
I don't have personal experience with fibroadenoma's, but I did work with a woman who had one. They were very certain that's what it was, but since she had a family history of many different cancers, she had it removed and it was fine - just a fibroadenoma. She was younger than you - about mid 30's.
Since you have never had a mamogram before, you may have had these at a younger age, and just didn't know it. I know that when you get them - they don't go away on their own. I think your chances that you'll be in the 80% is very good and they are most likely both fibroadenoma's.
Good Luck and keep us posted.
Mary
Fatso1
05-01-2009, 10:45 AM
I'm replying to my own post rather than start a new thread. If I get no response, I will go to another site.
I had a 2nd mammo and then ultrasound. The radiologist talked to me immediately after, saying there were two masses- very likely fibroadenomas. Actually, he's 100% sure one is a fibroadenoma and fairly certain the other is as well- but the only way to know for sure is to do an ultrasound-guided biopsy. So, now I'm waiting for the procedure to be scheduled- and hoping I'll be in the 80% group-- meaning among those women whose biopsies turn out to show that there is no cancer.
If anyone has had biopsy of fibroadenoma and can tell me more, I'd appreciate it. I thought fibroadenomas occurred only in women under age 40.
I had a 2nd mammo and then ultrasound. The radiologist talked to me immediately after, saying there were two masses- very likely fibroadenomas. Actually, he's 100% sure one is a fibroadenoma and fairly certain the other is as well- but the only way to know for sure is to do an ultrasound-guided biopsy. So, now I'm waiting for the procedure to be scheduled- and hoping I'll be in the 80% group-- meaning among those women whose biopsies turn out to show that there is no cancer.
If anyone has had biopsy of fibroadenoma and can tell me more, I'd appreciate it. I thought fibroadenomas occurred only in women under age 40.
Fatso1
05-01-2009, 11:27 AM
I have two Fibro adenoma's. They were found Nov 2008. I am 50 years old. The dr. said I don't need to worry, just make sure I get my mamogram ever year. I hope this helps ease your mind. I know I was freaking out when I had to have the biopsy, luckily it all turned out ok.
Rapsodia
05-01-2009, 03:44 PM
I have had mammograms before-- just hadn't had one in 3 years. I started having them when I was 39 or 40 and am 47 now. thanks for the comments. I am sure it'll turn out to be nothing; the radiologist seemed to think one was "atypical" and is just doing a biopsy to be certain. I'm also wondering, as I've read on several sites that if you're over 40, they recommend removing a fibroadenoma. This hasn't been explained to me, just that they will remove some tissue and send it to pathology.
herekittykitty
05-02-2009, 08:28 AM
Any solid tumor needs to be biopsied whether it has asymmetry or not. Asymmetry means it has some sort of irregular border, bigger on one side or the other.
Two years ago I had a solid tumor show up on mammo. and it was recommended I have a core needle biopsy. The pathology came back either a fibroadenoma or phyllodes tumor. So even the biopsies sometimes are not 100% sure, so there is no way a mammo. can be sure what a solid tumor is without a biopsy.
Two years ago I had a solid tumor show up on mammo. and it was recommended I have a core needle biopsy. The pathology came back either a fibroadenoma or phyllodes tumor. So even the biopsies sometimes are not 100% sure, so there is no way a mammo. can be sure what a solid tumor is without a biopsy.
Rapsodia
05-03-2009, 05:52 PM
Thanks for sharing your experience. Wow, I read an article about how some insurance companies are acting like biopsies for suspected fibroadenomas are unnecessary and cause anxiety in women. But, I think it's 20% of biopsies that turn out to reveal cancer-- so I would think these women are glad it was caught and could be treated. On the other hand, not having the biopsy and waiting 6 mos. for an ultrasound, to me, would be more stressful. Insurance is not an issue, as this is being done through a cancer screening program for uninsured women.
Rapsodia
05-14-2009, 07:53 AM
Just an additional reply to marymk's post. Prior to all of this, I had had mammograms before, my first was when I was 40. This year was the first time, however, I had a screening mammogram come back with "abnormal" results. I hadn't had a mammo since 2006, so I guess it is possible I had a fibroadenoma developing as far back as 2 years ago.