Breast surgery questions - Cancer: Breast Message Board

gertie · 04-21-2004, 03:25 PM

I have a 1.9cm cyst that needs to be removed. From the report I have read it has fairly sharply defined margins. What does this mean? Is a 1.9 cm cyst small or large? It was 7mm last August and has grown since then. I am scared. I have not been diagnosed with a malignancy, but of course I can't help but worry.

Kalie · 04-23-2004, 08:19 AM

Sharply defined margins means that it is easy to see where the cyst begins and ends -- that's good! Think of it like a rubber ball -- it's easy to grab it and pick it up. Now, think of something like play-do smashed into a carpet -- it's much harder to ensure you get all of it out of the carpet because the play-do isn't sharply defined.

1.9cm is on the small side according to medical literature I've read. Of course, the only way to tell if you have a malignancy is to have a biopsy, but if the mass has already been diagnosed as a cyst, it seems as if you are in the clear. Cysts are fluid filled, cancer is solid. (I'm a breast cancer survivor and one of my tumors was 2cm.)

Keep and eye on it, ask your Dr all the questions you can think of, but it seems like you're ok!

gertie · 04-23-2004, 12:57 PM

Kalie,

Thank you so much for replying. I do think it is a solid cyst not fluid filled that has grown and it is definately coming out since it has grown. I went for a breast MRI yesterday and am waiting ...graying as we speak to hear the results.

Kalie · 04-23-2004, 01:40 PM

Yeah, the waiting game is horrible. MRI is a great diagnostic tool -- when do you expect to have your results?

If you don't mind, post back to let me know you're ok.

gertie · 04-23-2004, 03:07 PM

I had the MRI yesterday...my experience has been if it is bad news I hear the next day. So far so good, but regardless I know the growth has to come out.

I agree about the MRI...without boring you with my medical history too much. Last year I had a cyst on my ovary and a nodule in my lung. The ovarian cyst burst on it's own, but I was sent for a PET scan because of the two growths. My right breast showed hot along with my lymph system so the doctors thought at the time that I may have had lymphoma at first. They have been watching me with CT scans for about a year now and my lymph system is fine.

My right breast has always been a problem though fortunately all benign so far. I had one surgery in 1985 and that is what ended up showing "hot" on the PET scan. They did a mamogram on me and everything looked fine, but just as a precaution did the MRI too. That is how this growth was found. Scarry really ....makes you wonder about mamo's. I got the letter in the mail...see you next year ...your fine. And then a totally different letter after the MRI. I definately feel I have had a more complete exam with the MRI.

Anyway, last August they did an ultrasound after the MRI and felt it was definately benign by it's appearance, but since it was solid if it grew would take it out.

In the mean time I was sick as a dog with undiagnosed Addison's disease. I was finally diagnosed when half dead in November. I feel great now. It is amazing what a couple of pills will do. I am like my old self again. My lung just checked out great, my lymph nodes fine, but this thing in my breast has grown. And of course I am petrified.

I can't thank you enough for responding to my post, no one responded for a couple of days and I need a friend right now. I will definately keep you posted and I hope it is with good news. Your post has given me a lot to be hopeful about.

Thank you again!