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Avatar universal

Incomplete exam

Back in December I found a oval shaped lump on my left breast, thought it was a cyst so didn't worry until last month when it was still there, larger and harder so my pcp sent me for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. Haven't had an exam in 6 years, at that time a mass was found and removed and was benign. I have dense breast tissue which hid the first mass and was missed on first mammo and ultrasound the surgeon found it when he did an ultrasound. This time mammo showed nothing and the ultrasound tech only found a small 5mm septated microcyst by what the radiologist report says. I was graded a birad 3 and I'm supposed to go back in 6 months. My issue is, what I'm feeling is about an inch long not 5mm and the ultrasound tech only spent about 2 to 3 minutes looking for what I was talking about and obviously missed it since I feel something larger. She also didn't look at any other part of my breast or at my right breast at all, what there is a clip marking where my last lump was removed, which they seen on the mammogram, i feel like the should have done the ultrasound on both breasts considering I have such dense breast tissue and with the clip to see if all was ok in that breast. Now I have noticed a pea size hard lump in my right breast should I ask for further testing? I also have a family history of breast cancer which was my mother who had it at age 38 and her sister at 55.
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587083 tn?1327120262
As I mentioned in my previous comment,if you are not satisfied with the results and how things were accomplished,then have your films reviewed by a different Radiologist or a Breast specialist who will certainly answer all your questions and maybe proceed with further investigation including a MRI "If" needed.
Take care..
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Avatar universal
My issue is, I have very dense breast tissue and mammograms do not show anything they always do an ultrasound. I also don't believe she spent enough time to find the actual lump I was in there for. What I feel is an inch long and they say its only 5mm. Normally they spend a good 20 to 30 minutes doing ultrasound on both breasts and she spent maybe 3 minutes on one spot. I understand the BIRAD 3 for the microcyst and if they would have done the exam like they always do I would have no issues.
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587083 tn?1327120262
Hi,
Depending on the complex cyst characteristics, the majority are not worrisome and do not need to be aspirated or biopsied. Usually these type of cysts,if they are malignant,they would have other features  which can be clearly seen on Ultrasound.
BIRAD category 3 means that there are no suspicious lesions, masses, or calcification to report.As a rule, a 6 month follow up is standard procedure to check for any changes.
FYI,an Ultrasound is done only on the breast where the abnormality is detected…Obviously there was nothing concerning on your right breast.
If you just found a new lump in your right breast,then you should let your Doctor know and have it evaluated as soon as possible .
I surely understand you worrying about having  a family history of BC.You can choose to trust your Radiologist but if you have any doubts at all, you could ask your Doctor to refer you to a Breast Specialist to review your Mammogram films and Ultrasound images to further evaluate the findings. A second opinion is always advisable to make sure that nothing has been missed.
Best wishes and we hope that everything will turn out just fine for you.
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