Breast scan results - what can this be?

[eija]

This is not about this forum's subject, but I dare asking this anyway, because this has touched many of you and there's a lot of knowledge in this forum.


So, I had a mammograph, a routine age-related check-up. A couple of weeks later they called on a Friday that I need an ultrasound, too, to check something they saw in the mammo pics. The appointment was very quickly, next Monday (yesterday).


When I went there, there was a doctor, not a technician, to do the ultra. He said in my right breast there is a group of liquid cysts or something. A formation that, he said, isn't that common, but when someone has it, it "usually has not been malignant".


What could this "formation" be? I don't remember his exact words so it's impossible to google anything. If anyone has had something like this, did it turn out to be malignant or not? What was the treatment?


The dr performed a biopsy there and then, but it takes up to two weeks to get the results

[Joe S.]

My wife just went through this. They had to  use an MRI to get the biopsy. Not Cancer was her verdict. 6 months and we do it again unless the DR decides 3 month. The bruise from the biopsy is starting to disappear.

We have learned from past experience not to worry until we know more. It still resides in the back of our minds.

[irish]

I do not know the answer, but I do know that the breasts can have multiple cysts that are filled with liquid. Often they need to be removed surgically. It might be that they are in a different position or presentation than they normally see. But, the doc said they are not usually malignant and is doing the appropriate testing.

The best you can do is take his information and use it to keep a positive outlook. If he had told you they are generally cancerous you would be asking more and different questions.

I am an old grandma and know that many times we get thrown these situations that drive us crazy. It doesn't help to worry about things ahead of time because much of the time nothing bad comes of these issues. I don't know the figures but I would bet that the amount of biopsies done every year is significantly larger than the number of positive biopsies that we see.

Try to keep busy and don't read anything on the internet because much of the info out there is not trustworthy. A lot of info out there is produced by uneducated, angry and misinformed people. This is unfortunate because the info can upset other people more than they realize.

I just had my third mammogram that precipitated a phone call from the hospital to come in for more testing. They said nothing is showing up that needs attention now but I am to get more testing in 6 months. Soooo,I don't know what they will end up finding. I left the hospital thinking well, so far nothing that I am to worry about but who knows my luck could run out. It is what it is and I can't change it. I am not a hero. I am 74 years old but I am not ready to die yet either. With that being said, I still choose not to worry cause it just messes with my mind and can affect my health. Autoimmune disease can be made worse by stress.

Hang in there and keep positive give yourself 10 minutes a day to worry and get upset and then find something to take your mind off of it. When the news of biopsy comes you will know and deal with it accordingly. Good luck. Irish

[KatieB]

Hi Eija,

  I have several liquid filled cysts in my breast tissue, for whatever reason. I asked why this might be and was told that some people are just prone to them. I have to get mammograms more often, but other then that they have not been a problem, and never malignant. I was told that fluid filled cysts are usually alright, the solid ones are more worrisome. Hope that helps a little bit.

[eija]

My wife just went through this. They had to  use an MRI to get the biopsy. Not Cancer was her verdict. 6 months and we do it again unless the DR decides 3 month. The bruise from the biopsy is starting to disappear.

We have learned from past experience not to worry until we know more. It still resides in the back of our minds.

Oh Joe, I'm sorry for your wife and you. That's like hanging in a loose rope! Good if you're able to not worry - but yeah. It always keeps knocking in the back of one's mind I went through something similar a couple of years back, only it was my kidney and liver. When scanning for gallstones, they found a large cyst in my kidney - with a septa. Then, when checking that better, they found some formations in my liver. Those took three different scans before they could say for sure they were hemangiomas and not something malignant. As for the kidney, it was class 2F which meant a scan every six months to see if it would change. Now the last break will be a year and the next scan is in the autumn. They said if it's still the same, that will be the last scan.

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Try to keep busy and don't read anything on the internet because much of the info out there is not trustworthy. A lot of info out there is produced by uneducated, angry and misinformed people. This is unfortunate because the info can upset other people more than they realize.

Oh Irish, always with such wise words. And you, too, with the loose rope... You've had your share of it already! Yep, I haven't read anything from the internet anymore. But in general, when I do, I don't read blogs or discussion threads (or IF I read them, I don't put much weight on them at all. I search for info from sites like Hopkins and Finnish doctor society etc, which I know are trustworthy. And always keep in mind that self-diagnosis seldom is accurate.


The doctor said something about an abnormality in the structure. I think that was odd :/


I'm trying not to worry, but it's so difficult. Especially with my depression and anxiety going downhills already before this and the stress from my parents, mom in a bad shape with parkinsons plus and dad getting exhausted taking care of her. I've been having crazy pulse rates, feelings of air hunger, weird malaise, dizzyness (maybe from not sleeping) and what else.


I've been trying to find me a puppy, but that's not fun either, because every two seconds I end up thinking how I'm already too exhausted, I'll never be able to take care of her. And then - if I end up with cancer treatments things go even worse! I'm just a 50 year old kid, I don't have your stamina to endure worries

  I have several liquid filled cysts in my breast tissue, for whatever reason. I asked why this might be and was told that some people are just prone to them. I have to get mammograms more often, but other then that they have not been a problem, and never malignant. I was told that fluid filled cysts are usually alright, the solid ones are more worrisome. Hope that helps a little bit.

Thanks KatieB, for the encouragement. Yeah, liquid filled ones are better. IF they're simple and smooth. Apparently what I had was like a cluster of them or something... I don't know, but that was the reason for the biopsy. I'm hoping for the best but with my recent history with lady luck I wouldn't bet my last pennies on it.


Also, my mom had breast cancer at 65-70. My father's sister and mom both had breast cancer. The rest of my mom's and dad's siblings are male, so that's quite a huge percentage


Maybe I'll pop a couple of sedatives and try to hit the sack.