Architectural Distortion found after mammogram
Hi all,
I just turned 40 this year and my doctor ordered my first mammogram which was supposed to be just routine.
After 2 days I was called back to perform a second mammogram followed up by ultrasound which they did this week.
Radiologist told me they have found an architectural distortion and should be investigated further. I have scheduled a biopsy for next week but I'm terrified. There is no breast cancer history in my family but I have a lot of cyst in both of my breasts + 1 fibroadenoma in my right breast. I have had ultrasounds every year and they have kept stable to my knowledge. My last ultrasound was on May 2013 and was normal apart from stable cysts + fibro.
I have read some articles about architectural distortion and I understand there is a high probability of early breast cancer.
Does any of you have more information?
Thanks,
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sorry you found yourself here...haven't heard of that DX. Keep in mind that most biopsies (about 80%) turn out to be benign. I hope yours is, too. I might suggest staying off of Dr Google while you wait....easier said than done, I know. It sounds like your Dr's are taking all necessary measures. Unfortunately, a biopsy is the only sure way to know what's going on. Good luck!
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Welcome to BCO and we're glad you found us.
Similar to what 'keepthefaith' said, it is better to have a doctor who is cautious and wants to know for sure that it is all benign before saying "all clear", than one who offhand says "it'll be OK". Try not to get yourself in a stressed state by reading too much of what Dr Google has to say in the many dubious sources on the Internet.
Architectural distortion is not a term we are familiar with either.
We all
hope it is nothing to worry about, but you're lucky to have a doctor who wants
to be sure.The
waiting, most will agree, is worse than the tests, so we sympathize. There
doesn't seem to be much other than keeping busy, to help decrease the stress.
People here have been through it too, so sisters will be willing to offer
advice. Our thoughts are with you.The
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that's what they said mine was- 2 years later cancer and one positive node. Ask for a biopsy and be rechecked in 6 months
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Thanks so much for all your support. I will try to be calmed and wait for the results. I'm so glad to have found this forum as I feel I'm not alone on this.
I will update you if anything happens.
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They just don't have anything to compare a first mammogram to. All those cysts & fibrocystic tissue can distort the architecture of your breast also, not necessarily anything to worry about. Callbacks are very common, especially on first mammgrams.
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Hi all,
I had my biopsy today and I'm feeling a little bit of discomfort. I heard the procedure was not supposed to be painful but it was for me.
It was a core needle biopsy guided by ultrasound. They froze the area and then took the first sample which did not hurt at all nor the second one, but when they tried to take the third sample it did hurt so much. After I screamed of pain I asked if the freezing did not work on that area but the Doctor could not explain why. It may have been we crossed a cyst she said but even though it should not hurt that much. For me was a burning sensation that lasted for at least 5 min. Then they cleaned the area with a gauze, covered it up and gave me an ice bag. I laid down for 10 min, took Tylenol and then I was ready to go.
Now at home I see some bleeding through the gauze. It is not that much but I wonder since they told me to maintain the wound dry and clean if I should do something. I took the gauze off for a moment and although I was expecting like 3 wound (since they took 3 samples) I see only one wound. It's not that big but definitely not small. The bleeding has stopped.
Could you please tell me if this is normal? any thoughts?
Thanks,
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I had a biopsy once that was very painful and I believe they accessed a spot with nerve endings. I've had several biopsies since then which were not painful at all.
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Dear ye74
I had a core needle biopsy guided by mammogram on Sept. 4th. The only pain I had was from the lidocaine or whatever they used to deaden the surface of my breast and also deep inside my breast. After that, there was no pain at all--just some pressure. I had a bit of bleeding after I got home, but not too much. I just kept an eye on it and kept my bra on for about 24 hours after the biopsy just for support. My breast was sore and throbbed a bit for the first 24 hours but is fine now. I hope you are feeling better and hope you get the results of your biopsy soon! You will find everyone in this community will be very supportive as you wait for results. Keep us posted! Warmest regards
521grammy
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Hi 521grammy,
Yes I'm feeling better now and I'm just waiting for my results more likely today or tomorrow. It's being a difficult time for me and my family here but I'm trying to be strong for them. I know that I have to be positive but I'm also ready for whatever comes. I just need to believe I can succeed and that I'm not alone. There are so many women in the world that have been suffered from this and many are doing just great. This is just another test in our lives and there is always something better behind it.
I hope we both have good news with our results.
Thanks for your kind words.
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Do you have results yet? All samples taken from my breast were benign. I'm hoping to hear the same from you!
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yay Grammy! That's the name my Mom uses for her grandkids:).
ye74, I had core biopsy as well. They deadened mine with a few needles, as it was pretty deep. Only one incision and it did bleed also. I forgot it was there and started throwing a ball for my dog after I got home...not a good idea. Caused it to bleed more and I had to change out the gauze. I iced it for a few days and wore a tight sports-type bra that fastened in the front for support and to keep bruising minimal. I'm sure you are pretty healed by now. Praying that you get benign results! Waiting is the worst:(.
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No, I have not got my results yet but I will tomorrow. Certainly waiting and uncertainty is the worst. I got a call yesterday from my doctor office and they told me they got the biopsy report. I asked the receptionist if it was good news but she did not tell of course. She just responded I needed to see the doctor. By the time I got to the doctor's office I was really nervous (I do not know how I made it there driving myself) but it turned out they only had a preliminary report from hospital not the final results. So they made a mistake calling me.
I also saw the report which only indicates biopsy was done and they would be sending the pathology results soon. I also noticed the recommendation is to have a surgical consultation at breast diagnostic centre regardless of the results. I do not know what to think at this moment and although I'm scared I want to know.
Today I finally called myself the doctor's office again and confirmed they received the results this morning but because the doctor is not at the office today I have to endure another sleepless tonight.
I will know for sure by noon tomorrow. Trying to be calm but it's really difficult at this time. I wish the doctor was at the office today
I'm so happy for your positive results Grammy!
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Dear ye74:
I'm sorry for the way you have been treated by your doctor's office. I asked the nurse at my biopsy procedure to be sure to CALL ME with results as soon as they knew and they did. It is nothing short of cruel to have the results and not tell you regardless of whether the doctor is in the office or not. It is the waiting that is the most brutal part of all of it. Even if the diagnosis is bad--at least you know and can get ready to fight it with everything you have. Just keep telling yourself that 80% of biopsies are benign. When I received my call about the biopsy, the nurse told me that they had been really worried about my results because of the characteristics of the calcifications and were so happy that they came back benign. So never give up hope that all will be well. I'll pray that you are able to rest tonight and feel peace in the morning. Keep me posted!
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Hi,
After all morning at doctor office trying to get my biopsy results, it turned out to be a benign lesion suggesting a radial scar/complex sclerosing lesion.
I want to share this with all of you because I also found out today that my biopsy was scored BIRADS 5. I knew distortion with micro calcifications has a high rate of being a malignancy but there is always hope. BIRADS 5 does NOT mean 100% until you get the biopsy final results.
It was a very difficult time for me and my family but we are all happy now. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank all people here for all the posts and encouraging words. This is really a great community and if there is something / anything that I can do to help I will be more than happy.
Although I got benign results, this is not the end of it but it is definitely a relief/second chance.
The opinion for the radiologist the day the biopsy was performed can be read in the inform as "If pathology is benign, a repeat biopsy is recommended using "Mammotome technique of the distortion with micro calcifications". I have no idea what it is but if they want to reassure nothing is wrong I would prefer to do whatever it takes. I'm not taking any risks now.
As soon as I left my doctor office I got a call from Breast Diagnostic Center and I have already an appointment next Monday to see an specialist.
I will post any update and keep checking this site for if any help is needed.
Thanks!!!!!
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THAT'S GREAT NEWS!!!! I'm so happy for you and your family. Keep us updated on your follow up.
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Congrats ! I am going tomorrow for a core biopsy and I am terrified of the results. Hope everything work out well for you in your next appointment...
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Hi ye74 we're delighted to hear the benign result for you and so glad that you found this community to help you through.
NS50 we are thinking of you! Keep us updated
The mods
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I met with the surgeon today to discuss my case. Long story short, she will call next week to schedule an appointment to go over the details for a surgery to remove the radial scar for further testing. I learned after doing some research about radial scar/complex sclerosing lesion that there is a possibility that it can be "hiding" a cancer so we have to make sure it is totally benign before giving the "all clear".At first when I was there I felt unease because I was met with a very young man that was there just doing the initial assessment. So he was saying that I should be relieved because the biopsy came back negative for cancer and that was very reassuring. I stopped him right away because that was not my understanding after my research. I told him that I was still concern and had some questions. He was leaning toward 6 month follow up or at least he told me that was what he briefly discussed with the surgeon after seeing my file. I do not know if I was too rude but my first question came back spontaneously: If you follow up every 6 months how would you know there is no cancer behind the lesion? Am I going to have a biopsy every time to make sure it has not turned into cancer? what if it is too late in 6 months?. I do not know but It seems to me that the doctors think here if there is no history of BC in the family then you are low risk and you would not get it. There is no family history in my case but it does not mean I would not get cancer myself. That is what is clear to me at this time.
Then he left and went to another room to talk to the doctor and she came in after (the surgeon) to ask me the same questions about family history, etc. I told her the same. I was concerned because radial scars did not entirely rule out cancer and in any case the report from radiologist clearly said if the results were benign she still recommended to have a second biopsy (vacuum assisted) and mainly because I did not want to be every 6 months enduring what I had to endure this last month.
Then she went to talk to the radiologist to see my images again and ask for a second opinion and came back saying I was pretty well informed and that the most conservative approach was to remove the lesion to confirm it was indeed a radial scar and nothing else or if for the contrary there was cancer behind it. When she said that I just felt really relieved that my opinion was being taken into account but just a little bit concern that if I did not take the approach of researching and understanding what I was dealing with they would have just done the 6 month follow up and that was it.
She said my surgery will be scheduled in 2-3 weeks from now and then 1 more week to have the pathology results.
I just wanted to share my case with you in case there is some other people with the same kind of pathology that as me have the same questions/doubts.
if you could please give me your opinion about wire guided surgery I will appreciate it. I'm about to start researching but it's always better to hear it first hand from experiences.
I'm positive and very sure what I'm doing is for the best.
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Hi, am not sure how concerned I should be. Following recent routine mammogram received recall to local Jarvis Breast Clinic. Initial indication showed Radial scar. On close examination consultant realised I actually have 8. Both breasts. I have had MRI this week await results. Biopsies taken on one scar showed benign tissue. BS has told me ideally they would remove it but as I have so many it would affect 30/50% of breasts. It seems very worrying mixed information on the Internet. Has anyone had multiple scars and if so what were your experiences. Thank you xx
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Ye74, any surgery date yet? Your research and resultant knowledge gave you the power to take control of decisions that affect your life.
Welcome to BCO Dexter2004, sorry you are here but glad you found us and this topic.
You need to beware of a lot of information on the Internet, as there is a lot of poor to dangerous info out there. Please stick with quality websites. Take your time to decide carefully, as your results build you own databank of info.
We all wish you all totally benign results. All the best
The Mods
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Hi, thanks for asking! my surgery has been scheduled for October 17th and yes! I feel much better now that I know what I'm dealing with.
Dexter2004. I'm really sorry you have to go through this and yes, not knowing is the hardest part. The information on the internet is confusing and sometimes is not reliable. I have read there could be high chances of radial scars becoming cancer but that's not true. My surgeon told me the risk is low as per most recent studies (5%-10%) and I also asked for a second opinion and the exact words were "risk is really low but smart to get it removed". The problem with radial scar is that it mimics cancer on screening so radiologists do not know how to diagnosis it and biopsy is always needed to confirm.
I was offered the 6 months follow-up initially since I do not have atypical hyperplasia but I insisted to get it removed anyway. I really do not know in your case since you have multiples lesions. I have not read about it yet to be honest.
One thing that I learned in all this time is to be prepared, the more I knew the safer I felt (scary at the beginning I know). I was prepared to speak with my specialist without getting lost in the medical terms. I knew what questions to ask and she knew I knew what she was talking about.
This site has been incredible for me. If you search radial scar you will find other posts that confirmed benign results after excision. Only one post I read confirmed an upgrade to cancer but even if that's the case it's not a death sentence and many women here with greater experience can tell you that.
I really hope we both (and everybody waiting for results) get benign results.
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dear ye74, thank you very much for your post. I definitely need to ask right questions. I wonder if inflammation is part of the problem causing scars. Have fibromyalgia and many joint issues and subsequent ops due to inflammation. Tho for my BS and local Jarvis centre is perplexing not come across this before in multiple areas. Will keep you posted MRI results soon and think biopsies next on each one. I think I may ask for removal of couple of larger ones so they can check tissue better.
Gentle hugs and thanks again xx
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Hi all,
Today I went to my local hospital for my pre-op appointment and I discovered I was scheduled for my excisional biopsy to remove the concerned lesion (radial scar) as expected but suddenly my doctor office also scheduled the sentinel node biopsy at the same time.
Is this the normal procedure? I do remember my surgeon mentioned the sentinel node biopsy only if there is cancer but never she said it would be 2 biopsies in the same procedure. Now I'm again getting all worried and cannot stop thinking about it. why do they not wait until biopsy results?
The hospital could not answer my questions and doctor did not reply my calls so I will call her tomorrow again but if any of you could help me understand I really appreciate it since I will not be able to sleep tonight
.Thanks again!
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i am not where u are yet. My ultrasound and mammo were negative even though there is clearly a mass. I have an appt with a breast specialist tomorrow. Especially terrified as i have been having pain in one hip for a month. My prayers are with u. Everyone on this board seems so positive even after diagnosis but i cant seem to keep that attitude. Please stay strong and calm. Praying for u
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Quick update: I had my excisional biopsy today and everything has been fantastic so far. I have not had any pain at all no even right after the surgery. My rate of pain was always 0. I'm here at home and I feel great. have not had so much sleep though, the anesthesia did the contrary to me. After I woke up I just felt soo much energetic, hyperactive as if I drank a bottle of wine just myself. No dizziness at all.
Sentinel node biopsy was not performed. BS told me it was an error to get it scheduled and also reassured me surgery was just as a precaution. Biopsy results will be in 2 weeks. Waiting for benign results again.
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Glad you're comfortable. I thought the excisional was easier than the stereotactic. Wine is good too!
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Hi MelissaDallas, I was wondering how long has it been since your Cancer Dx. I was dx in 2006. I am an 8 year survivor. You seem to be very knowledgable about things here. That is good. I can actually learn. Ha. I am a Nursing Student. I want to be an Oncology Nurse. So, the more I learn, the better.
Kaloni
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Quick update: My pathology reports confirmed Radial Scar with no evidence of any cancer. It's all good for me now. Thanks so much for all support. This site is really great. I wish you all the best.
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Great news!!!
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Dear Ye,
Congratulations on your wonderful news! I wanted to thank you for the information and hope you have provided to me. I just joined the forum today. Something was picked up on an ultrasound that I had last week with a score of 5; the radiologist said she highly suspects it as cancer and recommended biopsy and that I get scheduled with a breast surgeon, etc. She also mentioned that is could also be some type of trauma though. So not sure what it is but have followed all her advice. I had the ultrasound guided biopsy yesterday and am awaiting the results. Stomach is in knots and can't sleep! I am hoping it is the same thing you have (the radial scar). Appointment with breast surgeon on Thursday. So, hopefully I will hear something tomorrow. Again thank you for sharing your story.
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