architectural distortion

[bloatingmom]

I am 47 and get annual mammograms.  I just got a report with heterogenously dense breasts.  On the left breast it says there's an area of possible architectural distortion present laterally at the posterior depth. It was compared with last year's as well as one from 2004.

My sister had breast cancer so I'm high risk, and this report has terrified me.  How terrified should I be? Also, I have large breasts and was wondering if that could be a factor. Also, what does the location of this mean?

I'm scheduled for a follow up mammogram for next Wednesday but that seems centuries away at the moment.  Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

No percentages or statistical data is available to answer your query.

Architectural distortion is scar tissue like change observed in many conditions including trauma, injury, infection and cancer.

Just for this reason the clinical history, examination and investigations become relevant to reach the final diagnosis.

Let us know about what your doctor tells you and about how you are doing.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

[bloatedmom]

An additional question I'd have is how often 'possible architectural distortion' on the screening mammogram turns out to be 'something' versus 'nothing' on additional views?  Does this sometimes go away or is it always indicative of something there?

If they don't see it on the additional scans, is any additional diagnostic in order?

[bloatedmom]

Many thanks for your comments.  What I wrote is what was in the report.  No changes in my breast that I've noticed, and my internist, who is extremely thorough, also recently examined me.  Since they didn't report seeing a mass, I'm not surprised I don't feel anything.  Also, if it's deep, I doubt I could feel it b/c I have large (D) breasts.  I just thought most cancers were more superficial, but from what little I've found, it sounds like if it's 'real', that architectural distortion is more often invasive lobular Ca.

My sister was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer 2 1/2 yrs ago, and I had what turned out to be a benign ovarian cyst (oopherectomy) last year, so my antenna is high and the waiting game is really brutal.  I don't know how much it'd help to speak with someone without them looking at the films to see how worrisome the finding is and I couldn't get a follow up appt till Wed.  I'm just not very good at waiting.  The anxiety is the worst!  Every year I get called back, and get the letter on Friday afternoons.  Pretty brutal!  If I'm lucky enough to have this be benign, in the future I'm going to demand 'diagnostic' evaluations in the future so I don't have to go through this!

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You should relax and wait for the repeat mammogram to be done and the reports to come in. You could also schedule an appointment with your breast specialist to discus your doubts and the report.

Have you noticed any abnormal features on breast self examination like a breast lump, nipple discharge , skin changes etc?

Ask your doctor for a copy of the report and post it to us too.

Let us know about how you are doing and about any other doubts that you have.

Regards.