Do I need other opinions on breast masses?

[mmelindas]

Well, I found a breast mass recently and had a mammogram and ultrasound... My doctor says the radiology report says all (3 - found two in the other breast on x-ray) are benign appearing to be fat masses, and recommends a re-exam in 6 months.

Now, while that is a great relief (I'd figured I had breast cancer) why are they wanting a re-exam in 6 months if these masses are benign? Are they supposed to change into something bad? If so, then why are the doctors not wanting a biopsy or to remove them? The ones in the left breast were BLACK in the ultrasound, which is, I think, an indication of them being solid masses.

Originally, my doctor when she felt my rt breast mass, said, "We need to get that out right away!" and then ordered the radiology tests. Now she's evidently telling me I don't need surgery.

I am totally confused and feel I should have an oncologist or gyn look at those x-rays. This same doctor insisted that the foot pain I had in my left foot was plantar fasciitis, but the orthopedic doctor said, NO! It was arthritis and he gave me an injection of cortisone.

Does she (an internist) know what she's talking about? What do you think? My girlfriend here has a different doctor and has had five breast masses and surgery on all five over the years and all were benign! Another friend, who is my age or older, had a mammogram and had two dark spots on that and had a mastectomy and it was cancerous!

What advice from experience can you wonderful gals give me. I am 62, have 20 years of background in the medical field as a lab tech, but don't know what to do next, because of my doctor's comments and decision. /B]

[Waverly]

I really don't know much about this medically, but I would think it really can't hurt to get a second opinion. It is your life possibly at stake? At the very least your body.

Jessica

[Nanci]

My rad at work says "Fat??? That doesn't sound right. She needs to find out exactly what it was read as."

[mmelindas]

Yep, Nanci, Pedal Wench and Waverly - but my girlfriend's doctor is not in my network.

I am thinking that it's the radiologist who is the one saying what it is, because my doctor only has the report not the xrays. Does he know what he's doing? Isn't it HIS report that the doctors depend on?

[Nanci]

Ok, my friend that does needle localizations (stick a wire in breast mass so they can find it during surgery) says cysts are fluid filled, anything else is solid. It could be a fat pocket, or fibrous adenoma, both of which would probably still be there in six months, (cyst would disappear) and if it was her, she'd go back in six months and have _both_ a mammo and the ultrasound, and that the radiologist is the best opinion there is, the most expert, and that sometimes these things are removed just so the patient doesn't worry.

[Grog]

I feel for you mmlindas, I know how difficult medical uncertainty can be on our nerves...

If you can avoid surgery it's always better, because surgery involves more risk (anything that involves anesthetics is more dangerous than walking down the hospital corridor), so if the risk is estimated to be low by your doctor at this time, it can indeed be better to look at how things unravel by themselves instead of jumping on the OR table immediately. I've had dermoid ovarian cysts under observation for years and below a certain diameter they do nothing, which in this case is fine.

In the meantime, stay healthy, stick to your your slow weight-loss program, keep riding, and be positive about your body! And don't worry too much for a few months...

All my thoughts are with you...

[margo49]

You have to be a bit clever to get breast cancer; 8 out of 10 "lumps" are *not*. That said I would get a 2nd opinion. We need a 2nd opinion to allay our fears. (Not necessarily because Dr #1 is an "eedjit")
My oncologist says the human body is "an organism that manufactures lumps - of all sorts, a few of which are cancerous"
Strengthening thoughts your way...

[mmelindas]

That makes me feel much better!

What I saw on the ultrasound was black round things....so either they were solid or liquid, don't know which. But I didn't see the mammogram.. You are right there watching the scope on the Ultra as they put markers on the screen with their mouse thingy, to take a photo, so it's called to your attention and that's when I saw the spots.

What my regular doctor's nurse told me over the phone, was "fat deposits" (reading the radiologist's report), so maybe they are thicker or less thick than regular tissue and that's what I was seeing. Don't know which, but she was reading the report the radiologist sent to my regular doctor, and relating to me what my regular doctor told her to tell me.

I guess, I can wait six months and see if there's any changes. I will also call my girlfriends cancer surgeon's nurse and talk to her and see what she thinks. This surgeon who specializes in breast cancer surgery, is also getting the radiology report at my request. If she wants the x-rays, I will pay to have them sent to her, since I think she's very familiar with seeing cancer or non-cancer on x-rays herself.

I appreciate all the comments and caring from you wonderful TE members! Thanks sooo much! I guess now I can plan to go ahead and ride my new bike all I want to! Whee, no surgeries and the weather is supposed to be sunny and getting warm!

[tprevost]

Personally, I would get a second opinion. Based on what you've said, it seems the decision to 'wait 6 months and check again' didn't give you confidence in the results and the second opinion would alleviate nagging concerns.

On another note, when I got my base mammogram a few years ago the tech let me look at the slides (which later I learned is a no no) and I saw a tiny little circle that I asked about when I got the 'clear' results back. Anyway, they let me pay $25 to send the scans to another company which has a special computer that re-scans and reviews the mammograms; that also came back clear so I felt much better.

Let us know what you decide to do!

Tracy

[Pedal Wench]

...
. My girlfriend here has a different doctor and has had five breast masses and surgery on all five over the years and all were benign! ....

That's my history, except I've had six and one they did a needle biopsy, the rest removed surgically. My family history puts me in a very high risk category, so they always are cautious. I go to a breast cancer specialist, and although I hate the surgeries, I'm not able to sleep until I get the diagnosis. I would recommend a second opinion, preferably with your GF's doctor, who seems to be more proactive.

[snapdragen]

mmelindas, you are as bad as me! The first time I had to go back for a recheck and ultrasound because of a lump, I was convinced I had cancer. Even went so far as to plan my wardrobe for when my hair fell out from chemo! It was a cyst about the size of a grape. OK, I over-react sometimes........

I've had a couple of ultrasounds and a "super mam" after that, because of "things" on the films, but they have amounted to nothing. I did go back at 6 months, but now my mamography dr knows whats there, and can watch for any changes at my yearly exam. (There have been none for 3 years)

Get another opinion, it will make you feel better.

[Nanci]

I get cysts. The first one gave me a heart attack!! But luckily I work in a hospital, so had an US that day, and a mamm the next day, and it was nothing, just a cyst. Those suckers HURT!!! I usually get them in my underarm lymph nodes. They grow up, seemingly overnight, to the size of a grape, then disappear just as fast. I don't worry about them at all- don't even go see the doc. But I get yearly mamms because of family history. I have "some thing" that they took extra views of the first couple years, and now don't take extra views any more.

Nanci

[Blueberry]

I think it's incredibly important to make sure you are comfortable with your medical treatment. I'm glad you're getting a second opinion to put your mind at ease. Even the best docs are only human, and if you don't feel like you've gotten the attention you need, go elsewhere.

Good luck to you and keep you your healthy living and exercise!

Carrie Anne

[bikerchick68]

mmelindas... holy moly... how scary! Sounds like you've gotten some great advice from these knowledgeable people... I just want to reiterate that if you are not comfortable with the docs opinion then DO get a second one! I have learned to be VERY proactive with my health... I had a wonderful doctor who moved to AZ due to insurance rates here in CA... I then went thru 4 doctors until I found one I feel completely comfortable with and trust. I'm sure the other 4 were great docs... but I didn't feel comfortable with them for various reasons (one did my pap without ever calling me by name or making eye contact... and this was my 1st visit! )

a second opinion can do much for your peace of mind and sure won't hurt anything!

hugs and keep us posted...

[Nanci]

I'm so lucky- when I go get my yearly mamm, I pick the tech who does it, and then the rad tells me the reading right then- no agonizing wait for the "It's normal" postcard.

Nanci

(Blame all typos on my too-long fingernails, which would probably be short by anyone else's standards. I like 'em shorter than the tips of my fingers!)