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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
FBD and cysts
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
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FBD and cysts
by JayDee_936, Aug 09, 2004 12:00AM
I am a 25 year old that has been diagnosed with fibrocystic breasts. I went to a family clinic in my town a month ago with a very tender lump in my right breast a week before my period. (also had it the month before) He did an exam and told me that he believes I have FBD, but sent me in for a mammogram and
ultrasound to ease my mind and make sure thats what it is. He called me a few days ago and said that both tests came back negative. Negative for what, i dont know, thats all he said and I havent read the reports. Im guessing it was negitive for solid masses. I have done several self exams and do feel a few lumpy places, but the lump that was painful is still there.My question is, are cysts ascociated with FBD?I am certain that this particular lump is a cyst because it becomes larger and very painful before my period. But a cyst would show on the ultrasound would it not? The person I went to with this is a PA and im not sure if he has had experience with this condition being that this is a very small town. I do plan to find someone that has experience, but my husband lost his job recently and our insurance. I just wanted your opinion in the matter until I am able to find someone who knows more about it. Also, is it the
radiologist who studies the films and determines if the results or negitive or not, or is it the doctor? Thank you for your time.
ultrasound to ease my mind and make sure thats what it is. He called me a few days ago and said that both tests came back negative. Negative for what, i dont know, thats all he said and I havent read the reports. Im guessing it was negitive for solid masses. I have done several self exams and do feel a few lumpy places, but the lump that was painful is still there.My question is, are cysts ascociated with FBD?I am certain that this particular lump is a cyst because it becomes larger and very painful before my period. But a cyst would show on the ultrasound would it not? The person I went to with this is a PA and im not sure if he has had experience with this condition being that this is a very small town. I do plan to find someone that has experience, but my husband lost his job recently and our insurance. I just wanted your opinion in the matter until I am able to find someone who knows more about it. Also, is it the
radiologist who studies the films and determines if the results or negitive or not, or is it the doctor? Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Aug 09, 2004 12:00AM
Dear jaydee_936, A negative report in medicine, means that nothing abnormal was found in the test to report. An ultrasound test is used to distinguish between a solid and fluid filled structure (a cyst). The tests are interpreted by the radiologist, the doctor takes the radiologists interpretation and puts the results into context of the findings from physical exam and your report of symptoms - and then determines the next step from here - whether further evaluation is recommended or not.
As this lump is able to be felt yet not seen on the x-ray or ultrasound, if there was a question about it a breast specialist may be consulted to evaluate.
As this lump is able to be felt yet not seen on the x-ray or ultrasound, if there was a question about it a breast specialist may be consulted to evaluate.
Member Comments (2)
by surgeon, Aug 09, 2004 12:00AM
cysts are actually not very common at age 25; if it didn't show on ultrasound, it's pretty unlikely to be a cyst, which means it remains undiagnosed. Whereas a tender lump in a 25 year old which waxes and wanes in highly unlikely to be serious, it wouldn't hurt to see a breast surgeon. Neither mammogram nor ultrasound can be expected to be particularly useful at your age, especially for the evaluation of a feelable lump; when there's a lump, it either needs careful following for awhile -- or a fine-needle aspiration, which is a simple office procedure that takes a few seconds. If it were a cyst (which it isn't) fluid would be drained and it would be gone. If it weren't a cyst, a sample is removed with the needle and looked at under the microscope.
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