Was your breast cancer misdiagnosed by a radiologist?

Yes, I most likely had the cancer 6 months before a biopsy was done. First radiologist said suspicious spot ok but come back in 6 months. Second radiologist at 6 months later said I needed a biopsy but spot had not changed in the last 6 months. 3 mm in size, actually all removed in biopsy, clean nodes and margins. However it was stage 1, invasive, had left the milk duct. Was it in situ 6 months prior? Could have been. Chose no radiation but taking arimidex for 5 years. But took a DNA test in November which shows circulating tumor cells in blood ☹️. To be monitored twice a year now.

Hi I am new to this group. I was diagnosed with ILC in my left breast (< 2cm and Grade 2) in late January. I sought a second opinion at a well know cancer center and decided to seek treatment there. The can center conducted its own ultrasound and mammogram exams and agreed with the prior diagnosis. They also did an MRI and asked me to have a biopsy at an additional site in the left breast and a site in the right breast based on the diagnostic MRI. I went there this morning and got the two biopsies. Everything was checked during the biopsy and the post-biopsy mammogram. Within an hour or so later, I received a call saying the biopsy for the right breast was not done at the spot identified on the diagnostic MRI and I need to go back and get another one. I feel confused and frustrated. Has anyone else had a similar experience? How could they not find the right spot during the MRI-guided biopsy? One thing I noticed that the radiologist decided to do the biopsies for both breasts simultaneously instead one at a time during my procedure this morning. Is that a normal procedure? So far, I have undergone three biopsies and many ultrasound and mammogram exams but there is still no surgery scheduled. I a start to lose faith. I would greatly appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

Thank you for responding. The DNA test I took was from the Guardant company, called Reveal. It’s called ctDNA which stands for circulating tumor DNA. Waiting for results of second blood test. There’s another company called Signatera that does DNA blood testing and maybe more that I don’t know of. There is no protocol for clinical practice with these tests. Not sure of false positive or false negative results. If you don’t have to get it, don’t!

Hi! Jane:

This must have been a very frustrating experience! I am so sorry this sequences of events happening to you:(

Although I had no medical experience to share, but I know how hard it is to patienntly wait for the surgery date to be scheduled! You mentioned that this is a well known cancer center and they confirmed your prior diagnosis, I hope they will at least have the courage to apologize to you and schedule your surgery date as soon as possible. In the meantime, I'll pray for your smooth and successful surgery and speedy recovery, Jane.

Thanks for your support. In addition to the ILC in the left breast as previously diagnosed, they now found DCIS in my right breast (at a spot other than the one that was identified on the diagnostic MRI for which they scheduled the biopsy) and LCIS in my left breast. No one answered the questions I raised as if nothing had happened. As they keep finding new spots, I am not sure if I should get a lumpectomy + radiation as originally recommender by the surgeon. How hard will a double mastectomy be for someone at 50+? I do not want to have reconstruction if I go with a mastectomy. Has anyone had a mastectomy and decided to go flat? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Hi! Jane:

I did a search on related topic regarding "Double Mastectomy" and found the following link on mayo connection that you might be interested, please check it out:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/double-mastectomy/
This group discussion started by mitch3194 @mitch3194, on Dec 21, 2023. I found all the ladies' experiences and discussions are very helpful. Hope you'll find them insightful with wisdom.

Best wishes to you on the journey ahead, for my spirit and prayers will be alongside you!

I was misdiagnosed by radiologist and gyn. Gyn said on two separate visits, nine months apart that my breast was grainy and just changing with age as is normal. No lump felt first time, second time absolutely felt lump. Gyn said no lump just aging. I insisted on mam. which led to immediate ultrasound . Radiologist said I had a rather large fibro abnoma, never cancer. No problem. Nothing to worry sbout. I was told to just get my yearly mam and do monthly checks and come back in a year. I went for second opinion in larger well known hospital where doctor almost did not do check up because of confidence of radiologist but after feeling my breast he sent me to breast cancer surgeon. Had MRI and ultra sound and Biopsy, stage 2 b breast cancer, mastectomy which lab found a second cancer in other breast stage 1, it was never picked up in any of the screenings and I could not feel a lump. Not a spread just bi-lateral breast cancer. Thank God for second opinions. I wish I had gone sooner. Oncologist said it had probably been there for 10 years growing.
I never missed a check up or mammogram with same doctor and radiologist. Each time I voiced my concern they blew me off with a lot of technical jargon which turned out to be inaccurate. Neitherr doctors or technology is perfect so be your own advocate. Surgeon and oncologist said if I had listened to the other doctors and not gotten second opinion I would not have survived but as time delay causes it had 2 lymph nodes and my tumor was 4cm so there is always a risk of recurrence.