Very confused about scans, scared about surgery

Posted on behalf of new user LucyP

Hi - yesterday I got the results of my first MRI yesterday. So far I’d been diagnosed with a G1 tubular cancer, one small, hard tumour, diagnosed in mid-November. I’ve got a lumpectomy scheduled for next Wednesday 21st Dec to be followed up by six weeks of radiotherapy in a month’s time.

But the MRI has shown up another small lump in the same breast, quite near the first one, although it’s not as hard consistency. So the procedure is to first have another ultrasound to see if it’s worth worrying about, and if it is they’ll do a biopsy on the new lump and rush through the process so they know whether it’s malignant before Wednesday and change the operation plan - ie, to a masectomy.

Please can anybody answer my two questions:

A: What will an ultrasound show that an MRI doesn’t show?

B: Has everyone else with a second lump been recommended breast removal over a lumpectomy and lots of radiotherapy? It just seems so drastic - am I being really, really naive?

Finally, both my breasts have been really sore for over a week now - it feels like normal ovulation soreness, but that only ever lasts for two days at the most. I’m 47 - could it be purely coincidental menopause stuff?

Really finally, for a couple of weeks I’ve been getting needle-like but mild pain around my first lump.
God, this is all so confusing - when it’s not really terrifying.

Thanks to anyone who can reply to any of this,
LucyP

Lucy I know I replied to your other thread in answer to your questions A and B… But just wanted to add that if the second tumour appears to be different from the first one it well not be cancer… So your mastectomy versus lumpectomy debate may not even need to be something you need to worry about… Take care

Lulu x

Hi Lucy,

I had tubular BC and - athough it sounds weird to say any breast cancer could be good - it is one of the more non aggressive, slow growing types. My surgeons were very positive about my having tubular and the prognosis after lumpectomy/radiotherapy is excellent. Obviously you don’t know what the other lump is yet but here is hoping that it turns out to be nothing to worry about xx