Is breast architectural distortion reason to panic?

Hi @darleen11, how are you doing? Do you have the results of the follow up mammogram?

I went for a biopsy but they couldn't see the mass,so went for mammo,could only see architectural distortion so now have sent me for an MRI. Should I be worried

@lulubell, I moved your question about architectural distortion to this existing discussion where @hannah1 asked a similar question:
- Is breast architectural distortion reason to panic? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-breast-architectural-distortion-reason-to-panic/

I did this so you could see the helpful responses from fellow members like @leesal123 @randy36 @elliejk @clbolton1

Also, @elsie37 wrote this https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/281166/ in another discussion "Architectural distortion means the normal breast tissue is distorted and the pattern is disrupted but there is no mass. No mass is good. There might be other terms to go along with "architectural distortion" to further describe it. I had a radial scar as my architectural distortion. No cancer found."

I know you're worried. It sounds like your doctors are taking all precautions by sending your for an MRI. That's a good thing. When is your MRI?

Within 4 weeks, a mammo and ultrasound 8 weeks before showed an irregular small mass but couldn't be seen when time for the ultrasound biopsy, so another mammo was done and the distortion is all he could see. My nipple had retracted flat against my areola 4 months ago, which is why I went to see a doctor .

Did you consider lobular carcinoma? It is very difficult to find with mammogram , ultrasound or MRI (early on). because the cells do not form masses or lumps, but form single almost spider-like lines. My radiologist reported "linear enhancement on my MRI" which was biopsied and was positive for lobular carcinoma. Not to worry you, just to let you know in case you hadn't heard of this possibility.

So they gonna do a stereotatic biopsy tomorrow instead of mri,,,see how that goes..

I hope Hannah is well and respect if she is not comfortable sharing at this time. I wish her well in her journey and hope her anxiety has been replaced by negative findings and if not, a sense of empowerment and healing.
I am so grateful for this excellent forum. It is by far the most helpful and informative I've been on. I am 10 months from my BC diagnosis with multiple tumors followed by a double mastectomy, 1 failed bilat reconstruction, and a second total reconstruction 3 months ago. I am on Letrozole, no radiation, and no chemo due to an error in starting the AIs before the mastectomy. There was not enough tissue from the multiple biopsies to perform the Oncotype DX test, thus no chemo.
Each of our cases is so unique yet similar in that having access to accurate ample knowledge is empowerment. We must learn what it means to be advocates for ourselves and others by sharing our experiences, our understanding, and our support. I thank everyone on this site for their time and support and will remain on this site in hopes of continued learning and support for others.

I went for a yearly mammogram screening 3D.
I seem to get called back a lot. I have had a previous lumpectomy on my left breast 8 years ago.
I was called back for contrast on my left breast four years ago. I was called back for a needle biopsy on my right breast three years ago.
I was called back this year for another contrast and ultrasound for my left breast.
The report said architectural distortion from the CC view.
I am pretty alarmed. I have to wait a week to see the doctor.
My mind is racing. Could the previous lumpectomy be causing the architectural distortion? I have been googling and architectural distortion seems very scary to me. Any help would be appreciated.

My case was similar with not being able to get an Oncotype because they had 16 blocks of tissue from tumor and therefore not enough tissue in any one block?
Have others experienced this? I had radiation but no chemo.

I am so pleased you reached out. My answer based on months of questions, seeing other doctors etc. is no. If this is happening to anyone, no one is talking about it. What I have found is that none of the many doctors and nurse practitioners were aware of the tissue size requirement of the tumor. If they were somewhat aware, they didn't know the different average sizes of tumor biopsy specimens produced by the various modes of biopsy. What needs to be well known by the doctors and surgeons is to make sure their patient has enough unfettered, unexposed to AI tissue to insure that an Oncotype DX test is possible if needed. I now find out I will never know even after 5 yrs if I need to continue the letrozole. I am flying without a seatbelt...I feel as if I have no clear prognosis and have had to accept this. If you would like to discuss my findings further...please feel free. I don't think I am allowed to give you my contact info.