Breast Cancer Showing as Scar Tissue?

[JMA528]

My mom (60 years old) went in for her scheduled mammogram, and they called her back that day saying she needed more extensive testing. She went back a few days later and they did multiple other mammograms, some with attachments to her breast, and an ultrasound for quite a while. She waited a bit and the doctor came back saying that she needed a biopsy, and asking if she had suffered any trauma to her right breast since her last mammogram 3 years ago which looked normal. She hasn't. She mentioned that she didn't feel any lumps and he told her that he could definitely say what they were looking at wasn't a cya, and that there would be nothing there to feel.

So I'm confused? They seem like they are leaning towards breast cancer...but I thought there needed to be a tumor? Can can cancer simply show up looking like scar tissue in the breast?  I've looked things up online and I'm honestly feeling a little overwhelmed.  Her biopsy is today and we will find out in about 5 days.  The wait is so hard!!  Just looking for some info in the mean time.

Thank you in advance for reading and providing honest feedback.  

[japdip]

The determination for treatment is something that will occur usually after surgery although at times Chemo is given before in order to shrink the tumor size. This not being the case in your Mom's situation it will depend upon the type of cancer, what it depends upon for growth (hormones or not) and what stage and if lymph nodes are involved. Some testing of course will have been done on the specimen taken at biopsy which may answer some of the treatment questions but most will be determined when the Pathology studies are completed on the tissue removed during the next surgery. It would seem that this would be a relatively early stage but hardly anything can be 100% definite when it comes to this disease as it has many facets and rarely are any two issues are the same. That's the main problem with internet research .... it so general that it rarely applies to anyone's particular situation. Write down all the questions / concerns that you can think of and take the list with you to the Oncology appointment If you don't understand what's being said stop the Dr. and get it clarified. They are always eager to answer but they can't read your mind :) Never leave the office with questions. Don't forget to attend to your screening Mammogram .... now you have a family history and it's even more important than before.  Thanks for the update even though it wasn't what we were hoping to hear.  Kindest regards to you both ....

[JMA528]

So she was called today and told she has cancer. Her doctor will call on Monday and set her up next week with a surgeon and oncologist to know more. There was no tumor, the cancer is on her breast tissue. Does anyone know what determines radiation or chemotherapy? Things I'm reasing online are saying it depends on the size of the tumor...but in her case there is no tumor.

Thanks so much! What a scary journey...

[japdip]

To my knowledge it is recommended that Mammograms should be done yearly after the age of 40 and not 60. I feel that every other year is rather risky since a lot can happen in 2 years. Having said that I will have to admit that I have skipped a year for some reason or other and I'm sure I had a poor excuse ... LOL  A screening Mammogram at 40, sometimes earlier if family history is a factor, is advisable so you might think about that as well. Screening Mammograms are usually done without a Dr.s order. It's good to have a film for comparison if there is a problem later or even if there is some innocent change.   Take care ...

[JMA528]

JAPDIP,  Thank you so much for your reply!  I guess the reason I was thinking they were leaning towards cancer was how quickly things were being done, and how he had mentioned that he could definitively tell her it wasn't a cyst.  That and my worried daughter brain!  She had been told (I'm almost positive) that until she hit 60 her mammograms could be every other year.  So she's a year beyond that.  But once she hit 60 (which she is now) that they should be yearly.  Thank you for that info though!  Something to think about as I approach 40...

[japdip]

Cancer can appear as anything, even a few dots on the film that represent calcifications .... this is the reason that it takes a biopsy and only a biopsy  for a definite diagnosis. It sounds as though your Mother is receiving excellent care with all the testing that is being recommended and done. Obviously they are leaving nothing to chance and this is a GOOD thing. I'm not sure what makes you think they are leaning toward Breast Cancer, as you stated, Whenever there is any doubt a biopsy should be ordered. The waiting is always the worst ... everyone will tell you that but there are necessary tests to be done on the specimen taken at biopsy and this all takes time. Please let us know when she receives her results and add a comment to this thread if you have any more questions or concerns. In the meantime we here wish you both well so keep some positive thoughts about the situation. By the way, it is recommended that mammograms be done yearly whether they have been normal in the past.   Regards ....