Breast Cancer

I’m confused and scared. I went to the doctor and had a routine mammogram, and was told there was an area that needed further evaluation. So I had a spot compression mammogram and ultrasound. It did not show up on ultrasound, but did on mammogram again. It still looked suspicious to them, so I was told I needed an MRI. So, I had one. It is very small and there are bright specks that are around the mass? The doctor wants me to come back in three months to re-evaluate for possibility for invasive lobular? Also, the specks around the mass do have blood supply. I was told that could be cancer cells coming from the mass. In other words, spreading. But because the mass is so small, they can’t biopsy. Thank you in advance for any help or response.

Hi, I had breast cancer too! It was very small. I had a breast specialist do a steriotactacle breast biopsy. I was told that mine was so small that it was probably nothing to worry about and that I could wait another six months and have another mammogram or have the biopsy. I opted for the biopsy and it came back cancer. I was very happy that I didn't wait. I am cancer free now and doing very well. Sheila

First, let me say I have had a similar experience with a lump/mammogram/ultrasound, and that I am a certified oncology nurse. I give chemotherapy, and care for many patients with breast and other cancers. In some cases, their mammograms were negative or inconclusive as yours is. It is my strong belief that many patients, whichever type of cancer they have, will believe a negative or inconclusive test because that is what they want to hear. THE ONLY WAY TO DIAGNOSE OR RULE OUT CANCER IS BY BIOPSY. Therefore, rather than watch and wait, you would be wise to insist on an excisional biopsy, meaning that the surgeon removes the area in question. Even though small, he/she will be able to localize and remove it. If there is any doubt on the part of the pathologist who checks the tissue, you should ask that the sample be sent to a pathologist who specializes in breast cancer. Most insurance will pay for this second pathology opinion. When I found a lump that was not visible either on diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound, my surgeon recommended watching for 3 months, and then doing a biopsy, but my feeling was, why wait (and worry)? I am low risk, but so are many of my patients. I didn't see the point in waiting. My lump was negative, but I was glad to know that instead of agonizing over it. You didn't give your age, but in terms of breast cancer, the younger you are, the more agressive it tends to be, so keep that in mind as you plan your approach. I feel I also have to address the comments made by KF of Michigan. I am not familiar with most of the sources she mentions, but feel she is misleading in her approach. First, cancer is not one disease, but many diseases, behaving differently in different parts of the body, and in fact in different people. There is not just one cause, and not all causes are know or understood, therefore treatment is not just "cookie cutter". Breast cancer is not breast cancer is not breast cancer; in other words, your mother, sister, aunt, and neighbor may all have it and it could well be different in each one. Each persons cancer is evaluated and staged by location, size, cell type, and many other factors having to do with cell biology. What we have discovered in the last 20 years, and especially in the last 3 is mind-boggling. It is so exciting to treat this disease and either cure or slow the progress of the disease. When I started in oncology in 1983, I thought there was much hope for cancer treatment, and I still feel that way. For example, back then, certain cancers such as pancreatic were not even treated; the patients were told there was nothing to offer them and they went home to die. Today I've treated patients who were diagnosed with pancreatic cancers 5+ years ago who are doing well... maybe not cured, but alive and living life fully. To say that there is a conspiracy afoot in the government and among the physicians and drug companies is unfair, untrue, and uninformed. It never hurts to explore alternative therapy, but be educated. By the way, I have NEVER heard any of my patients refer to their treatments as " chop, poison, burn". In response to her comment that chemo causes cancer... well yes and no. Because of the effect that some chemotherapy drugs stop cancer cell growth, and because chemo affects normal cells as well, mutations sometimes occur which can cause cancer 20-30 years down the road in a SMALL percentage of patients. But the risk outweighs the benefit, in fact the risk is highest in childhood leukemia, but would you withold treatment because it might cause cancer? There are many new treatments coming out that are not chemotherapy and so do not have this effect. Bottom line, be informed and do not allow others to alarm you with misinformation and propaganda. Good luck to you. Patti/ PA

I just want to say that I so appreciate what you said about a biopsy. Three years ago, I was sent for an ultrasound plus mammogram. Even though I had a mass in my breast, I was told it was probably just a cyst. Two years later, a dr. finally insisted I have a biopsy and by then had 15 lymph nodes involved and was told I was probably in the 4th stage. That was last year and since then have had a masectomy, two types of chemo, radiation and looks like the cancer has probably spread into my lungs. Please keep telling people about the biopsy. Jean O

Your comments were very informative and encouraging.