Think Pink: Mammogram Abnormalities
Dr. Cynara Coomer
When a woman is told that she has an abnormality on her mammogram and/or breast ultrasound, it’s often a very frightening and emotional experience. Most commonly, a woman may be told that the results are benign, and that she needs to return in 6 months for a repeat study. Generally this means that the finding on the mammogram or the ultrasound is most likely non-cancerous, and the radiologist just wants to confirm that by monitoring the lesion.
But sometimes, the recommendation from the radiologist is that the lesion be biopsied. Obviously this is even more anxiety-provoking, but women should remember that 80 percent of the lesions we biopsy are non-cancerous.
These diagnostic biopsies should almost always be performed as a minimally-invasive needle biopsy as opposed an open surgical procedure. Currently, too many women are undergoing surgery to obtain a diagnosis. Surgery should be generally reserved for therapeutic reasons. Many women undergoing a needle biopsy will not need to have surgery because the results are usually benign.
The most common reasons for undergoing surgery after a needle biopsy is if there is a finding of atypical cells, cancer, a benign lesion that has the potential of having a malignancy associated with it – meaning it may develop or have cancer cells near it. Another reason might be if there is discrepancy between the biopsy and radiology results.
Once there is a need for surgery, you should talk to a breast surgeon/specialist about the different surgical options available to you. Never be afraid to get a second opinion from a surgeon and/or a pathologist.
Next week we’ll talk about surgical options for women once they’ve been diagnosed with cancer.
Dr. Cynara Coomer is an assistant professor of surgery specializing in breast health and breast cancer surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She is a FOX News Health contributor providing medical expertise on a variety of topics in cancer research with a focus on women’s health, breast diseases and tips for healthy breasts at any age.
Tags: awareness month, benign tumor, biopsy, breast cancer, cancer, Dr. Cynara Coomer, lesion, mammogram, needle biopsy, non-cancerous, october, pathologist, radiologist, specialist, surgeon, surgery, surgical procedure, ultrasound
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My daughter found a lump in her breast. The drs mammogramed it and had a base line already. They then set up an appt for another mamo and another non-invasive scan (can’t remember which one.)
They have not done any biopsy, but have her scheduled to have it surgecally removed.
Isn’t it unusual to not biopsy before going to “taking it all out surgically”?
Should she get a second opinion?
Thanks.
My daughter, who is 39, found a lump in her breast. The drs mammogramed it and had a base line already. They then set up an appt for another mamo and another non-invasive scan (can’t remember which one.)
They have not done any biopsy, but have her scheduled to have it surgecally removed.
Isn’t it unusual to not biopsy before going to “taking it all out surgically”?
Should she get a second opinion?
Thanks.
My mother had an abnormality on a mammogram and the doctor told her to wait and come back in 6 months. She told him to do a biopsy instead. Sure enough, it was cancer. Thanks to her own diligence, she only required 6 weeks of radiation and hormone therapy. Had she waited 6 months, who knows how far the cancer would have spread. My wife’s friend on the other hand, waited 6 months on her doctor’s recommendation following an abnormal mammogram. A week after she found out she was pregnant, the cancer had spread to lymph nodes. She had to have a radical mastectomy, an abortion, followed by chemotherapy, followed by radiation. Why do doctors give the cancer 6 months to spread? Ladies, if the doctor tells you to sit on your hands and wait, go to another doctor or have another radiologist do the reading. Doctors whine about needless biopsies and the cost, but what is the cost of a biopsy compared to major surgery, 6 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy and the chance of dying? If the medical establishment biopsied aggressively, there will be lots of negative readings, but then no one’s cancer would reach an advanced stage either. Just take the scar of the biopsy – know one will notice that you don’t have a biopsy scar when you’re in the coffin.
I just viewed your conversation regarding H1N1flu vaccination. You prioritized pregnant woman in recieving the shot. I am a healthcare provider and have been working in drug development for the past 15 years, including vaccine development. I often find myself disgusted with the medical community as they become the mouth piece for the pharmaceutical industry. Do your homework before offering mainstream advice. I can tell you that there has been no large randomized safety and efficay studies done on this vaccine yet you recommend pregnant women to recieve it? What is the effects on the fetus? We don’t know- As a physician who is in the forefront of public consumerism and cancer therapies I think your advise should come from science not the government. You’ll find some amazing information if you take the time to look.
I was diagnosed with an abnormal mammogram. I had one needle biopsy that returned inconclusive. I then had a surgical biopsy that also came back “abnormal”, filled with necrotized tissue. We have determined that it is ok and will return in 6 months for another ultrasound. It is quite intimidating to go through the waiting game of not knowing or understanding what is really going on, especially with my family history. I was not willing to wait to see and feel better having had the second biopsy. Yes I have a scar but what price is that compared to losing my life to cancer? I lost two dear friends in 2 years to the disease and will fight not to have to go through that.
I had an abnormal mammogram in 2002. The needle biopsy came back as normal but my surgeon still insisted on removing the lump. Turns out it was cancerous and caught early. It worries me now that I may have to rely only on a biopsy that is not always so reliable instead of what my doctor chooses for me.