QuestionI'm a pre-menopausal, 46-yr-old woman with a family history of breast
cancer. My sister was just diagnosed and on our paternal side, we have 2
aunts with breast cancer -- one died and one is currently terminal. Our
grandmother and her sister also died of breast cancer. The grandmother also
had ovarian cancer. All of these cases were post-menopausal.
I recently had a routine mammogram that had an area of parenchymal asymmetry. I was called back in for spot views of the area. The radiologist
then wanted a thorough ultrasound of both breasts. The tech found a small
nodule (5mm x 2mm) in the area of interest on the mammo, but the
radiologist didn't think that was anything of concern. However, the
radiologist himself redid the entire ultrasound exam and found several small
lesions that look like fibroadenomas on the other breast. On the other side of
the nipple from this group, he found a single lesion that looks like a
fibroadenoma, but had shadowing and a heterogeneous center -- he said it
looked a bit speckled. But.. it was located between two lobes and because of
its position, the shadowing could be artifact, though he checked it from
different views. He recommended core needle biopsy.
I had 2 large fibroadenomas removed from breast tissue in my axilla on the
same side about 9 years ago.
I'm considering having a surgeon excise the one lesion, instead of a needle
biopsy. What would be the best course with these findings for someone with
my family history?
AnswerI think a needle biopsy is enough! Well, regular breast check ups, at least once a year, with mammography, ultrasound breast scans AND MRI breast scans AND at least needle biopsies of any, every and all unclear lesion(s). If any such biopsy result is unclear, then a surgical biopsy of that lesion!
