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Avatar universal

What does this mean?

I am 31 and had a fibroadenoma in the 1030am pos. rmvd. 3 yrs ago of 4cm.
I don't have a copy of the radiology report in front of me but am wondering what my new report means. I have a 5+cm clustered solid mass surround by cystic-something with "floating debris" ;first thing I want to clarify. I also have several small solid masses by my armpit and breast edge and one on the other edge by my cleavage. The big one can be seen when I lie down. I hear about inverted nipple, but don't know exactly what that means either. All the way in? Retracted more than before? What? I have noticed it doesn't pop out like the other one anymore. I feel like I have pulled a muscle up by my collar bone also? The new one is from the 930am-2pm positions and what does Bi-Rad 4, what does this mean? I was expedited onto the Komen Project.
Had one Dr. say "Oh crap," reapeatedly while giving my exam and the radiologist said "I can't tell you with confidence this is not malignant, it needs to be removed immediately." I said, "I am a f/t student and will lose my financial aid," and she said, "if you wait you may not have to worry about it anyway. you need to find a surgeon and get this out of your body. last time she said I'm sure it's nothing i want a needle biopsy done though to make sure."
What am I to think?
4 Responses
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242527 tn?1292449140
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear torridpink:  A BIRAD 4 means that there is high suspicion that this might be cancer.  Of course the only thing that can tell you whether something is or is not malignant is a biopsy.  This is why this recommendation has been made.  Fibroadenomas are smooth round structures with smooth edges.  As this lump is irregular and partly solid and partly cystic, it is unlikely to be fibroadenoma.  Questions for preop would be more about the procedure than result.  They will not be able to tell you what to expect result-wise.  
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
The following morning I had my pre-op appointment, a mammogram and an ultra sound on my right breast (for comparison) I was told I would be having surgery the following morning. I didn't sleep all night. Went in this morning and had the excisional biopsy and that was just weird! When I was in recovery, I remember the exact moment I was waking up because they were putting the top half of my clothes on me! I was given no care instructions only a prescription for vicodin (that was approximately 3 hours ago). The more I think about it the more that doesn't seem right? How am I supposed to know when to un-bandage it? Lifting, as they cut through the muscle? Or anything else, for that matter. Should I call them? Or assume that if I had special instructions that they would have given them to me?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much, I really don't have many questions about the actual procedure as I have had a lumpectomy in the past, and I will assume that it will be similar; especially since the size is very close to the same. It's really not the thought of cancer that bothers me, at least when I know yes or no, I will be able to formulate a plan. The hard part is that no one will talk to me long enough to ask questions, but they keep being outwardly alarmed. I would think a health care professional would be able to hold their shock to themselves unless they want to explain why. They scare people unnecessarily with their lack of explanation. Why do we as patients not know EXACTLY what these words mean? I haven't had one person out of three stay long enough to ask, WHAT is alarming about what is being seen.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What do these things mean? And do these people realize that they are telling me too much and not enough, all at the same time? I am having an excisional biopsy and my pre-op appt is tomorrow, what should i ask that will get an answer?
Helpful - 0

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