Hi, I’m posting this on behalf of my Mum in an attempt to try and ease the confusion she is feeling. Around a month ago she was called back for a repeat mammogram. On the first mammogram, 1 of the radiologists thought there was nothing to be worried about but the other 5 did. She then had an ultrasound and a biopsy. 1 weeks later she was told she had high grade DCIS of 6mm, not hormone driven. Fast forward to last week, my Mum and Dad met the surgeon who will be performing the operation if required. This is where it gets confusing, this surgeon said her and her team of radiologists were not convinced of what it was. The mammogram result was M3, indeterminate and the lump is round and smooth not jagged as is normally associated with cancerous lumps. The surgeon also said she thinks the lump is too big for DCIS. I have searched the internet and seen people with much larger lumps than 6mm.
So we are wondering why it is being called indeterminate again despite a biopsy apparently giving different results.
Thanks
Hello Malsmith
Welcome to the forums, this must be very difficult time for you and your mum. I’m sure other users will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime, maybe you or your mum would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer practical information as well as emotional support. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
Witj best wishes
June, moderator
Hi Malsmith,
Don’t know if this helps at all…fatty necrosis (which I understand is harmless can look v similar to invasive ductal carcinoma on scans…shows as a dark solid mass. My understanding is that ductal carcinoma insitu (in the ducts) can develop into invasive ductal carcinoma. I had a lump of idc which was almost perfectly round and smooth on the scans (my lump considerably bigger than your Mums) although I know they can also be jagged. The docs told me they were sat on the fence after the scan and mamo and only confirmed once the results of ghe biopsy were back a week later.
I think the biopsy results must be most reliable out of your Mums various tests. From your post I don’t understand why any of the specialists would question the results of the biopsy. Have I missed something?
Seabreeze
Think your Mum is fully justified in some persistent q’s to get the understanding she needs to make decisions. Plus talking to whoever does the scan and asking whats what if your Mum can see the screen (I could see the monitor when they did mine).
Really hope you and your Mum get the info you need and that its as good as it can be given the situation.
Seabreeze
Dollie my diagnosis was similar, from the biopsy they thought my second smaller lump was benign but took it out anyway with mastectomy to save a second op further down the line when it develops. Turns out the second lump was bigger then they thought and they’d biopsied the bit of it which was pre cancer but the rest was cancer.
You can ask as many questions as you want. I was also told I could see as many consultants as I want before deciding who to go with. UHF right treatment for your mum is the most important thing not necessarily the speed of treatment.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.