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What Does My Diagnostic Mammogram And Ultrasound Report Indicate?
Question: I got the results of my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound the other day and I had some questions about the results. They have sent me to a surgeon for an excisional biopsy. They noted pleomorphic calcifications that are widely distributed over the lower central to inner breast with pronounced clustering anteriorly. These were defined in the first mammogram as being heterogeneous. The also found a small anechoic nodule indicative of a cyst and another small 4X2 mm "focus" in the upper central posterior breast more superiorly and may represent a small lymph node with centrally increased echotexture. I honestly don't understand what any of this means other than the cyst. It's my understanding that these are quite common in women. I am concerned about these calcifications and the lymph node though. What exactly does "small lymph node with centrally increased echotexture" mean? And what does pleomorphic mean? Any information you can provide would be wonderful. I don't see the surgeon until Tuesday, so I have a 4 day weekend to worry....
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thanks for sending the question.
First of all I can appreciate that this is a very stressful type of situation as you attempt to interpret these reports and look forward to your visit with the surgeon.
Pleomorphic generally refers to in a regular pattern of calcifications.this can sometimes be associated with certain types of breast tumors. For this reason the biopsy has been recommended. It is reasonable for you to visit with the surgeon as well to review these reports and discuss proceeding with the biopsy.
The description of the lymph node is somewhat nonspecific meaning the radiologist cannot tell for sure if the size of the lymph node means that there is anything pathologic going on related to the lymph node itself.
Sometimes with a biopsy the surgeon might recommend a biopsy of the lymph node as well to assess whether there is something going on within the area of calcifications in addition to the area where the lymph node was described.
diagnostic mammograms have become more and more sensitive which generally has led to more biopsies and of course earlier diagnosis of breast cancer. Hopefully you do not have breast cancer but if for some reason you do hopefully the fact that they had picked this up at this point will allow you to obtain appropriate and successful treatment.
try to focus on remaining positive as you go forward with your discussions. Please feel free to keep us posted regarding subsequent recommendations or results of any additional studies that are done in the near future.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thanks for sending the question.
First of all I can appreciate that this is a very stressful type of situation as you attempt to interpret these reports and look forward to your visit with the surgeon.
Pleomorphic generally refers to in a regular pattern of calcifications.this can sometimes be associated with certain types of breast tumors. For this reason the biopsy has been recommended. It is reasonable for you to visit with the surgeon as well to review these reports and discuss proceeding with the biopsy.
The description of the lymph node is somewhat nonspecific meaning the radiologist cannot tell for sure if the size of the lymph node means that there is anything pathologic going on related to the lymph node itself.
Sometimes with a biopsy the surgeon might recommend a biopsy of the lymph node as well to assess whether there is something going on within the area of calcifications in addition to the area where the lymph node was described.
diagnostic mammograms have become more and more sensitive which generally has led to more biopsies and of course earlier diagnosis of breast cancer. Hopefully you do not have breast cancer but if for some reason you do hopefully the fact that they had picked this up at this point will allow you to obtain appropriate and successful treatment.
try to focus on remaining positive as you go forward with your discussions. Please feel free to keep us posted regarding subsequent recommendations or results of any additional studies that are done in the near future.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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