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Angelalovew · 03-28-2012, 06:01 PM

I'm 58, and had a mammagram last week. I got that dreaded call yesterday that I have to go back on Friday for a spot compression and an ultrasound. Mama had breast cancer at age 70. Its like THIS is all that consumes my mind; I trust in God, but I can't get rid of this fear

I copied the lab report.... can someone help me understand it?

Scattered fibroglanduar densities. Subcentimeter oval density lower inner quadrant left breast, middle third, which was not identified previously. ML and spot compression views as well as left breast ultrasound recommended. No suspisiously clustered microcalfications, areas of architectural distortion or axillary adenopathy.
BI-RADS 0-assessment incomplete. Additional imaging of left breast needed.

Jaye66 · 03-28-2012, 09:54 PM

I am not sure what it all means, sounds like you have dense breasts? It's very common to have additional views and a sonogram. Every time I have a mammogram I have to have additional views and almost every time I end up getting a sonogram. Luckily though, I never have to wait for that dreaded letter. Everything is done at the same visits and I know my results when I leave. Good luck ! Let me know how you make out.

Angelalovew · 03-30-2012, 06:44 PM

My appointment was today. They found a complex nodule. Not sure what that means. They called it a complex lesion too. I have to see a surgeon for a needle biopsy.

uptownJ · 04-05-2012, 04:30 PM

I home you have had the biopsy by now. I just signed up for this board yesterday. Please let us know how you are doing and what the resulf of your test was. So many of these things are benign. Hang in there, I know how scared you are. Take care, Sharon

uptownJ · 04-05-2012, 04:34 PM

One more thing..... PLEASE.... EVERYBODY.... when you get a test result written in "greek" do not be afraid to call the radiologist back and have them translate. I have found so many people will suffer, needlessly because they don't thing they "should or can" call to ask questions. If the radiologist can't speak to you, a technician can. You will then be able to ask any questions you have at that time. It will take away a lot of the terror of the unknown. Sharon

Angelalovew · 04-05-2012, 05:30 PM

My needle biopsy is April 17th... unless there is a cancellation and I can get in earlier.
I pray its not cancer. The radiologist said it doesn't look suspicious... I'm hanging on to those words... this waiting seems like SOOOOOO long.
I'm wondering tho -- even if its benign, will it have to come out? They will do the needle biopsy while looking at the ultrasound... its small and you can't feel it.
When you are going thru this, its like ALL you see on TV is cancer institues, and you hear of others who have breast cancer

I pray and pray and pray.....

uptownJ · 04-05-2012, 05:42 PM

The 17th is an eternity when you are waiting for something like this. Radiologists see these things all the time, so I would take comfort in those words. When I went in for a biopsy, the radiologist told me to plan on it coming back as cancer. She was right.
As for moving up the appointment, I would call the office each morning to ask if there was a cancellation. You never know, you may get lucky and snag an earlier appointment. Keep in mind, it usually takes about 3 days to get test results back. One more thing, I found the lump in my breast 7 months after my annual mammogram. It felt like cauliflower under my skin. It felt uneven, and the edges were also uneven. There wasn't a smooth place on it. When I felt it, it was weird, clearly unlike any other lump I had felt in my breast. I hope you can set this worry aside. Most of these lumps are benign, this is small, the radiologist did not think it looked suspicious. When you have scary thoughts creeping into your mind, crowd them out with the more positive facts. Hang in there, I hope you let us know how it turns out. Take care, Sharon

Angelalovew · 04-05-2012, 05:48 PM

You are so sweet, so kind... when did you have surgery?

Angelalovew · 04-05-2012, 05:49 PM

Did you have a needle biopsy?
I guess why I'm worried... why send me for a needle biopsy if he thinks its ok?

uptownJ · 04-05-2012, 06:27 PM

I had surgery in 2007.

uptownJ · 04-05-2012, 06:40 PM

Every place has a different criteria for recommending biopsy's. For whatever reason, you fit into that recommendation. I know exactly how you are feeling.... terror, panic, and being driven crazy by the "what-if's" that won't leave you alone. There are all sorts of benign things this could be. The radiologist, who has looked at many "things" has to be 100% sure this isn't BC. The radiologist could be doing this biopsy more out of covering his/her be-hind rather than worrying this is BC. Hang in there.... and I'd bug them for an earlier appointment. Take care, Sharon

Angelalovew · 04-05-2012, 06:49 PM

You make me feel so much better. I'm calling Monday to see if there are any cancellations. The surgeon is on vacation all this week, so I'm thinking I'll have to wait til April 17th... but I'm sure going to try.
I am so glad you are doing good now. My mama had breast cancer at age 70, 7 years ago. She had the lump removed, then she had a mammasite for radiation to be put in (it went into Mama thru a port) and she is doing great.
Thank you Lord!!!

Angelalovew · 04-05-2012, 06:51 PM

You make me feel so much better. I'm calling Monday to see if there are any cancellations. The surgeon is on vacation all this week, so I'm thinking I'll have to wait til April 17th... but I'm sure going to try.
I am so glad you are doing good now. My mama had breast cancer at age 70, 7 years ago. She had the lump removed, then she had a mammasite for radiation to be put in (it went into Mama thru a port) and she is doing great.
Thank you Lord!!!

Jaye66 · 04-05-2012, 07:02 PM

I totally agree. They have to check it out to be sure. It would be horrible if they dismissed it as being nothing and then find out when it's too late that it was indeed something. I do think though, that the chances are it's nothing. Especially if the radiologist didn't seem concerned. Good luck and I really hope that you can get in sooner.

uptownJ · 04-05-2012, 07:48 PM

I can see why you will have to wait... since the doctor isn't going to be in town. Another reason the radiologist is being so careful is because you have had a family member with breast cancer. It sounds like your Mom had great care and she is doing well today because of it. It is difficult to have to wait and I really wish there was a magic answer I could give you to help get you through this time. Hang in there and there is a good chance this is not going to have a bad outcome. Blessings to you, Sharon

Jrzgrl64 · 04-10-2012, 01:28 PM

It's difficult to not have this consume you until you get your results back. I have 5 biopsies done at once and everything came back negative. I've had what you had. The oval shaped things were cysts. The complex lesions were complex cysts (cysts with debris in them). I also have microcalcifications which they haven't done anything with yet, granduloma. Heck, my boobs look like a bubble gum machine on an ultrasound!

They used to make me go every 6 months, now I go every year. Last year they wanted me to go for an MRI, because my breasts are very dense. I didn't do it because I figured the insurance company wouldn't pay for it and I didn't want to get angry, so I let it go. I'm going to a new radiologist this year. If they want an MRI, I'll fight with the insurance company.

My mother died from BC at 82, and my sister (survivor!) was diagnosed at 46, my cousin (survivor!) at 41. I am 48. I decided about the last round of biopsy's that this is not going to hang over me like a lead weight just waiting to pounce. My sister tested negataive for the BRCA.

Best of luck to you and try not to worry

uptownJ · 04-10-2012, 01:52 PM

I would highly recommend getting an MRI. It can show things no mammogram or ultrasound has the ability to show. I get one every year. I have to pay for it but it is at a reduced rate and they let me pay it off a little at a time. It is truly the gold-standard of diagnostics and it showed my breast cancer like no other machine! If I would have demanded an MRI earlier, my breast cancer would have been diagnosed at a much smaller less advanced stage. PLEASE follow through with the MRI. Often times, it can show if cancer has moved into lymph nodes. My husband and I are far from rich and we have lousy insurance but this is my life.... get the MRI. Sharon

Jrzgrl64 · 04-10-2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uptownJ

I would highly recommend getting an MRI. It can show things no mammogram or ultrasound has the ability to show. I get one every year. I have to pay for it but it is at a reduced rate and they let me pay it off a little at a time. It is truly the gold-standard of diagnostics and it showed my breast cancer like no other machine! If I would have demanded an MRI earlier, my breast cancer would have been diagnosed at a much smaller less advanced stage. PLEASE follow through with the MRI. Often times, it can show if cancer has moved into lymph nodes. My husband and I are far from rich and we have lousy insurance but this is my life.... get the MRI. Sharon

Unfortunately, if the insurance doesn't pay for it, I will not be able to have it done. I'm a divorced mom with two kids and no child support. LOL! I guess I could always provide my ex-husbands ss#. If anything comes up cancer, I'll opt for a double masectomy and be done with it. Better than worrying once a year.

Angelalovew · 04-10-2012, 06:15 PM

You are so sweet.... I go Tuesday, April 17th, for the needle biopsy. This waiting is horrible

I am SO GLAD you are doing good... you have sure been thru ALOT!!!!! I pray this is nothing to worry about and won't have to come out. Did you have to have anything taken out?

Angelalovew · 04-10-2012, 08:24 PM

WHY wouldn't your insurance pay for the MRI????
I'm wondering now.... will my insurance cover the needle biopsy? I never thought to check it out to make sure. I don't have a job... I sure can't afford it

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