Results, what do they mean?

Posted by jennbc81 @jennbc81, Jul 7 11:22am

2. Focal skin thickening seen within the lateral aspect of the anterior left chest/left shoulder. Clinical and physical exam
correlation recommended. Otherwise, no CT evidence of metastatic disease within the chest, abdomen or pelvis
US of left breast with 3.6cm x 0.5cm x 3.3cm well-circumscribed, hyperechoic mass
US from 2019 had measured 2.6cm x 0.5cm. Left axilla with 1.3cm x 0.7cm x 1.0cm node with "some increase in cortex to hilum ratio
Cortical thickening>3.5
Also have malignant melanoma disorder??
No one is helping me and I haven't had a doctor explain my results to me since November last year and I keep getting sicker and sicker, I know I'm not good someone please help me understand what's wrong with me please

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@jennbc81
I see this is your first post to Mayo Connect, welcome. Members of Mayo Connect are not medical professionals, so cannot give you a diagnosis about test results.

I understand your frustration if no one has explained what results mean.

Whoever ordered the tests, should of got results and explained them to you. It is not up to patient to interpret test results.

Did you have a CT and Ultrasound?
If tests were done in Nov, did you have a follow up appointment with your provider?

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They haven't explained them to me they told me Im just depressed. Seriously and the tests before these I had allergies...
I had tests done in November, my PCP said they were normal and never followed up with me. Then I went on my own and had CT/pet scans done using my melanoma report from my dermatologist. He set me up the scans and then told me I would have to follow up with my PCP so I tried still nothing she acted as if she weren't getting everything sent to her. So I got another PCP and now she's not doing anything either. She said to give her a few days and she would contact me with a diagnosis and I had to contact 2 months later and she said I'm depressed... I don't understand what's going on but I know I'm sick.. I need someone to help me before it's too late. I have lots of results that say I have focal skin thickening abnormal morphology in my lymph nodes, a breast mass that is in my upper left part of left breast. I had a stage pt2a melanoma removed from my lower back in October. My dermatologist told me to get a PCP... Now I'm having these problems.

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@jennbc81

They haven't explained them to me they told me Im just depressed. Seriously and the tests before these I had allergies...
I had tests done in November, my PCP said they were normal and never followed up with me. Then I went on my own and had CT/pet scans done using my melanoma report from my dermatologist. He set me up the scans and then told me I would have to follow up with my PCP so I tried still nothing she acted as if she weren't getting everything sent to her. So I got another PCP and now she's not doing anything either. She said to give her a few days and she would contact me with a diagnosis and I had to contact 2 months later and she said I'm depressed... I don't understand what's going on but I know I'm sick.. I need someone to help me before it's too late. I have lots of results that say I have focal skin thickening abnormal morphology in my lymph nodes, a breast mass that is in my upper left part of left breast. I had a stage pt2a melanoma removed from my lower back in October. My dermatologist told me to get a PCP... Now I'm having these problems.

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Only thing my PCP has done is give me meds for cuz my blood pressure because it was high for almost a month and she said she didn't want me to stroke out that is all she's done.

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Hi and welcome to Mayo Connect
Hyperechoic masses in the breast are cancerous < 0.04% of the time.
CT addresses possible metastisis in breasts cysts. "No metastasis" doesn't indicate the possibility of malignancy.
But you have no metastasis which is good.
Your mass has grown 1 cm in five years.
It is less than the size of a grape, but larger than a single peanut seed.
You have a lymph node that has a thickened cell wall. Normal is 3 yours is 3.5
Did you have a needle biopsy? Often they will drain a cyst after a biopsy determines it to be benign.
You might call your medical provider and request biopsy and drainage.
I'm assuming you had the melanoma removed. You may be due for a skin exam.
I have no medical expertise. But can say that something is making you sick, because you are feeling sick.
It could be completely unrelated to the cyst or the melanoma. But it is important to find out.
Don't be discouraged from contacting us here. Tell us your symptoms. Someone may have the exact same symptoms and know exactly what is causing them.
Meanwhile contact your medical providers.
Bless your health.

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I've never had a biopsy done on any of the the Masses, abnormal lymph nodes they say they need a biopsy done, thyroid nodules, soft tissue neck ultrasound said I need tissue diagnosis done but never have, bilateral adenopathy at 0.7 left and right.. I have atherosclerosis calcification of my aorta, multilevel degeneration of cervical spine, I have been put on high blood pressure meds after a month of mine being almost 200/119 only because my PCP said she didn't what me to stroke out. And I have so much more it's unreal.. All of this information I only know because it's on my patient portal results... I have never been told any of this.

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@gently

Hi and welcome to Mayo Connect
Hyperechoic masses in the breast are cancerous < 0.04% of the time.
CT addresses possible metastisis in breasts cysts. "No metastasis" doesn't indicate the possibility of malignancy.
But you have no metastasis which is good.
Your mass has grown 1 cm in five years.
It is less than the size of a grape, but larger than a single peanut seed.
You have a lymph node that has a thickened cell wall. Normal is 3 yours is 3.5
Did you have a needle biopsy? Often they will drain a cyst after a biopsy determines it to be benign.
You might call your medical provider and request biopsy and drainage.
I'm assuming you had the melanoma removed. You may be due for a skin exam.
I have no medical expertise. But can say that something is making you sick, because you are feeling sick.
It could be completely unrelated to the cyst or the melanoma. But it is important to find out.
Don't be discouraged from contacting us here. Tell us your symptoms. Someone may have the exact same symptoms and know exactly what is causing them.
Meanwhile contact your medical providers.
Bless your health.

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Im confused because it says focal skin thickening, otherwise, no metastatic disease... Otherwise meaning other than that....

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I see. Focal skin thickening can have many different causes. Cause is undetermined by your scan. You need the biopsies.
You're motivated. The mychart reports are ofen abbreviated. Call the radiology center where you had the PET/CT. Tell them you need a CD of the PET scan and the written report. You have mychart. Write a message to your PCP that you need a referral to an oncologist ASAP. And the biopsy order. The written messages gives the PCP liability and may motivate faster action on their part.
Don't wait though, get a new primary care physician to expedite care incase the PCP is slow or on vacation.
Sometimes paperwork goes awry, but you aren't getting sufficient care. There may be an unprocessed order for a biopsy somewhere.
I would also start calling. Calling the PCP that you have, asking why your biopsy has not been ordered. Call oncology offices and see if you can get in without a referral. Don't be put off by discouraging clerks.
Is it possible that orders have been sent to the old PCP ? Call that office too. Tomorrow morning. Tonight you can make a list of all the numbers. The radiology center, the first PCP, the second PCP and the third new PCP
Take every appointment you can get no matter how far off and then see who can get you in on a cancellation.
Some radiology centers have interventional radiologists and might be able to handle a biopsy. I would also call a womens care center where they perform the biopsies and ask about the doctors.
Is your PCP in a private office. You might talk to an office manager. If they are with a university, talk to the department head. I think you'll have some luck. Keep us posted on what happens.

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Make an appointment to talk with our PCP or a nurse practitioner you like.

Like @gently I would think you could ask for a referral to an oncologist. If the biopsy shows cysts, they can be lanced.

Who handled your melanoma?

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@windyshores

Make an appointment to talk with our PCP or a nurse practitioner you like.

Like @gently I would think you could ask for a referral to an oncologist. If the biopsy shows cysts, they can be lanced.

Who handled your melanoma?

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sorry "your" PCP

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