Mammo call back

Posted by mlsocci74 @mlsocci74, Sep 25, 2023

Hello yall. I'm Melissa. I am 48 (49 on saturday) and get my mammogram yearly. My first one in 2017 required a callback where they did a diagnostic mammo and US. Wasn't worried as I knew it often happens for first mammogram. All was fine "Tomosynthesis Findings: Benign-appearing Well-circumscribed equal density lesion just lateral to the nipple at anterior to
middle depth only seen on the cc view. Ultrasound findings: Mildly prominent ducts noted at 3:00 anterior depth may contribute to the appearance on mammogram.

In 2021 had another callback and had a diagnostic mammogram with that one, again wasn't super worried as I understand it happens. Finding was "1. Right breast focal asymmetry effaces with spot compression and is considered benign 2. Recommend annual screening mammography in one year, sooner if indicated clinically. BI-RADS CATEGORY 2: BENIGN"

Now to this years mammogram which was last Monday. Got a call back. "FINDINGS: Interval 5 mm smoothly marginated nodular focus in the retroareolar region on the left. Interval prominence of retroareolar soft tissue superior to the nipple on the right."

I go Thursday for a diagnostic US. I understand the likelyhood of it being anything bad is slim. But I just have a bad feeling this time. Still staying fairly calm though. I have tried reaching my sis for her thoughts (she is an ob/gyn) and advice, but having a hard time connecting with her. I am completely confused about the wording of the finding this time about the prominence of soft tissue.

As for family history, my mom had cervical cancer when she was young(ish) and my brother is delaing with melanoma for a few years now.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this or give thoughts/opinions/advice. I apprecaite it.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

mlsocci74 @mlsocci74

I have been in your situation, and it is very hard not to think about the possibility of it being cancer.

I am glad your already scheduled for US. If needed, the next step would be a biopsy and ask about a breast MRI . In my case, insurance would not pay for MRI till there was a confirmed case of breast cancer.

There is not much you can do till have results. If it is cancer, then it becomes many appointments and discussions. Take it one step at a time.

If your biopsy is positive, there has been discussion topics on questions for provider,

It might be a good time to start a journal and log of activates. I normally do not journal, but did after diagnosis. It was good way to write down all the feelings your having.

Laurie

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@mlsocci74 I saw the word "smooth" and felt hope for you. I googled it, and found a possible "benign" perspective on your situation:

Margins of masses are smooth (Fig. 4), lobulated (Fig. 5), irregular (Fig. 6) or spiculated (Fig. 7). Spiculated or irregular masses are suspicious for carcinoma whereas a smooth margin is more suggestive of a benign lesion and lobulated borders are of intermediate concern.

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@roch

mlsocci74 @mlsocci74

I have been in your situation, and it is very hard not to think about the possibility of it being cancer.

I am glad your already scheduled for US. If needed, the next step would be a biopsy and ask about a breast MRI . In my case, insurance would not pay for MRI till there was a confirmed case of breast cancer.

There is not much you can do till have results. If it is cancer, then it becomes many appointments and discussions. Take it one step at a time.

If your biopsy is positive, there has been discussion topics on questions for provider,

It might be a good time to start a journal and log of activates. I normally do not journal, but did after diagnosis. It was good way to write down all the feelings your having.

Laurie

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate it. 💗

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Hi @mlsocci74

I also noticed "smooth margin" when I read your message and know that is the preferred margin so, I agree, that is hopeful. Hope you can talk with your sister soon to interpret all of it for you.

You may have a bad feeling just because this is the third time you've been called back. I hope saying this will be reassuring, but even though I eventually was diagnosed with breast cancer at 54, I had biopsies and ultrasound callbacks going on for 27 years first. At 27, I had a biopsy and it was a benign cyst. Almost every other year I had a mammogram then ultrasound when they thought they saw something, but the ultrasound changed their mind. The first time I was called back for an ultrasound I was anxious. In the years that followed, I just expected that routine. You may have to deal with callbacks every time that end up being harmless stuff. Good to know your providers are erring on the side of caution. I had fibrocystic breasts which always muddied the waters for exams and imaging. Good to keep up with all your routine checks. The waiting game is the worst. Praying for good results for you.

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@californiazebra

Hi @mlsocci74

I also noticed "smooth margin" when I read your message and know that is the preferred margin so, I agree, that is hopeful. Hope you can talk with your sister soon to interpret all of it for you.

You may have a bad feeling just because this is the third time you've been called back. I hope saying this will be reassuring, but even though I eventually was diagnosed with breast cancer at 54, I had biopsies and ultrasound callbacks going on for 27 years first. At 27, I had a biopsy and it was a benign cyst. Almost every other year I had a mammogram then ultrasound when they thought they saw something, but the ultrasound changed their mind. The first time I was called back for an ultrasound I was anxious. In the years that followed, I just expected that routine. You may have to deal with callbacks every time that end up being harmless stuff. Good to know your providers are erring on the side of caution. I had fibrocystic breasts which always muddied the waters for exams and imaging. Good to keep up with all your routine checks. The waiting game is the worst. Praying for good results for you.

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That does make me feel better @californiazebra maybe just learning this will be my norm(callbacks) and accepting that as such. I appreciate you for sharing with me and taking the time to ease my mind.

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@roch

mlsocci74 @mlsocci74

I have been in your situation, and it is very hard not to think about the possibility of it being cancer.

I am glad your already scheduled for US. If needed, the next step would be a biopsy and ask about a breast MRI . In my case, insurance would not pay for MRI till there was a confirmed case of breast cancer.

There is not much you can do till have results. If it is cancer, then it becomes many appointments and discussions. Take it one step at a time.

If your biopsy is positive, there has been discussion topics on questions for provider,

It might be a good time to start a journal and log of activates. I normally do not journal, but did after diagnosis. It was good way to write down all the feelings your having.

Laurie

Jump to this post

Excellent advice!

REPLY

hello y’all Had my ultrasound today and here is what they said:

Bilateral Breast Ultrasound:

Real-time gray scale and Doppler ultrasound exam of both breasts was performed including all 4 quadrants, behind the nipple and bilateral axilla.

Right breast:

There are multiple dilated retroareolar ducts as well as slightly complicated cyst with thick wall, most notable in the 11:00 position. A small amount of debris versus reverberation artifact.

There is no associated mass lesion, architectural distortion, or fluid collection. Left breast:

Normal breast tissue with no evidence of mass lesion collection. There is a solitary dilated retroareolar duct without evidence of debris over color Doppler signal. There is no axillary lymphadenopathy.

IMPRESSION:

1. Probably benign complicated cysts in the right breast, for which follow-up limited right breast ultrasound in 6 months is recommended

BI-RADS CATEGORY 3: Probably benign

Recommendation:

Short-term interval Limited right breast for probably benign ultrasound findings within the 11:00 position in the retroareolar region

***** Final *****

I don’t know about cysts really just that they are usually nothing so I did check what a complicate cyst is….but now I’m confused cause what I read was a complex cyst has thickened wall not complicated. So I’m just confused. Lol. But go back in 6 months.

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@mlsocci74

hello y’all Had my ultrasound today and here is what they said:

Bilateral Breast Ultrasound:

Real-time gray scale and Doppler ultrasound exam of both breasts was performed including all 4 quadrants, behind the nipple and bilateral axilla.

Right breast:

There are multiple dilated retroareolar ducts as well as slightly complicated cyst with thick wall, most notable in the 11:00 position. A small amount of debris versus reverberation artifact.

There is no associated mass lesion, architectural distortion, or fluid collection. Left breast:

Normal breast tissue with no evidence of mass lesion collection. There is a solitary dilated retroareolar duct without evidence of debris over color Doppler signal. There is no axillary lymphadenopathy.

IMPRESSION:

1. Probably benign complicated cysts in the right breast, for which follow-up limited right breast ultrasound in 6 months is recommended

BI-RADS CATEGORY 3: Probably benign

Recommendation:

Short-term interval Limited right breast for probably benign ultrasound findings within the 11:00 position in the retroareolar region

***** Final *****

I don’t know about cysts really just that they are usually nothing so I did check what a complicate cyst is….but now I’m confused cause what I read was a complex cyst has thickened wall not complicated. So I’m just confused. Lol. But go back in 6 months.

Jump to this post

@mlsocci74, have you had a chance to review the ultrasound findings with your doctor? I'm hoping they will have answered your questions and give you confidence in the next steps of 6-month follow up. How are you feeling about all this?

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@colleenyoung

@mlsocci74, have you had a chance to review the ultrasound findings with your doctor? I'm hoping they will have answered your questions and give you confidence in the next steps of 6-month follow up. How are you feeling about all this?

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@colleenyoung I did talk to my family doc and she thinks I should get a biopsy and said radiology will get in touch with me. Now I feel like I’m being silly. I just asked her to explain more to me. But we shall see if they will be doing that or waiting 6 months. Lord knows I’m not the expert. My sis just said the radiologist probably just didn’t think it was necessary for the biopsy. I’m just confused. Lol. But I will say the radiologist didn’t talk to me personally like they have done in the past. I felt like he/she didn’t think I’d want to talk or ask questions. It was the tech who told me to come back in 6 months. My family doc says biopsy and my sis (she is an ob/gyn) didn’t give me her personal opinion. So I’m just all confused lol

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Biopsy scheduled for 11/2. My doctor didn’t like what she saw and read in the report so biopsy it is.

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