Newbie with a question

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Mom68
Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

Hello All! I have mucoepidermoid carcinoma, so I'm already on the head and neck cancer specific forum. I had a PET Scan done this week, and it found a "small focus of uptake in the upper outer right breast, mid depth, with SUV 1.9 is indeterminate." The recommendation of the radiologist a mammogram and if needed an ultrasound for further evaluation.

Phew. 

I have an appointment for next Tuesday with my primary to get the mammogram referral. 

Any thoughts on the PET scan? Should I be worried I now have breast cancer as well? Or is this just doctor speak for "it probably isn't cancer, but get it checked out"? Any input would be greatly appreciated. I'm kind of freaking out here. 

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  • HapB
    HapB Member Posts: 527
    #2
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    Mom68

    Well, you know that you shouldn't worry because that helps nothing, but of course you will. They found my BC during a PET/CT as part of surveillance for another cancer.  Wish I could tell you that it was nothing, and it might be! You just need to find out asap. Good luck with it!

  • Mom68
    Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
    #3
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    HapB said:

    Mom68

    Well, you know that you shouldn't worry because that helps nothing, but of course you will. They found my BC during a PET/CT as part of surveillance for another cancer.  Wish I could tell you that it was nothing, and it might be! You just need to find out asap. Good luck with it!

    Thanks

    Thank you, HapB! Gosh, I sure hope I don't have to join 2 cancer specific forums on here. No offense, I'm sure everybody on here is super great, but one cancer is enough. Phew! I'll keep you all posted on here, just for future reference. God Bless you all. 

  • HapB
    HapB Member Posts: 527
    #4
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    Mom68

    I am in 3! 

  • Mom68
    Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
    edited May 2017 #5
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    3?

    Okay, Hap, you are my new hero. 

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    #6
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    All of my mammogram referrals

    All of my mammogram referrals say "mammogram and if needed an ultrasound for further evaluation". And I have a history of breast cancer!  

    Don't worry unless they give you something to worry about.  You have enough on your plate.

  • Mom68
    Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
    #7
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    Diagnostic Mammogram Tomorrow

    My diagnostic mammogram is set for tomorrow! I'll keep you all posted, even if it isn't cancer. Fingers Crossed! 

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    edited May 2017 #8
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    Mom68 said:

    Diagnostic Mammogram Tomorrow

    My diagnostic mammogram is set for tomorrow! I'll keep you all posted, even if it isn't cancer. Fingers Crossed! 

    mam and ultra sound

    That is how they usually do them.  If one dont find it or they want a different veiw of it they go next to the ultra sound.  For years and years I always had them both.  Even then, if they think there is something suspicious, they will do a biopsy of it.  Even then, it could be nothing.   So hang in there and please keep us posted.

    Hugs,

    Annie

  • HapB
    HapB Member Posts: 527
    #9
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    Mom68 said:

    3?

    Okay, Hap, you are my new hero. 

    No hero

    I am no hero and I hate cancer and wish there was a cure. 

  • Mom68
    Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
    #10
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    Thanks Annie!

    I had to get on here today just to sort of calm my nerves. I have a plan for the other cancer, and just hope and pray I don't have to come up with another plan! Oh well, it is what it is. Thanks again for the hugs and for the posts! I'll keep everyone posted. Blessings to you all...Mary

    PS...I have a childhood "non-relative sister" who had breast cancer in 2009. She's been so great with information and overall cancer support! I love her! She will finish up her Tamoxifen 10 year treatment in 2019! I'm so proud of her! And she's had no recurrance of cancer! Amen! Best wishes and warmest regards

  • Mom68
    Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
    #11
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    Mammogram Update

    Hi All! I had a 3D mammogram yesterday (and Sheryl Crow stared at me the whole time I was getting it...literally...her picture was RIGHT in front of me) and the radiologist did find a small growth on one film but it was so small he almost missed it. He said it looked fibrous in nature (nothing to worry about). Then, I went on to ultrasound, and the tech didn't find anything. So, they said they'd still recommend I see a specialist...but if they didn't find anything in the ultrasound, how could they even biopsy? 

  • HapB
    HapB Member Posts: 527
    #12
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    Mom68

    Hi, well, seems like it might be good news for the BC! They may want to biopsy the fibrous tumor? It is better to be safe.  Good luck and I will tell you that in my experience, the radiologists usually are pretty accurate and know cancer when they see it. Keep the faith!!

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    #13
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    sounds like

    It sounds like your doc is leaving no stone unturned.  That is good.  Somethings are too small but if they are being this thorough, they must be pretty caring people,  Keep us posted on how you continue to be.

    Hugs,

    Annie

  • Mom68
    Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
    edited May 2017 #14
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    Thanks!

    I really appreciate you all so much. Thank you! I'll keep you all posted. Who knows, maybe this thread may benefit someone down the road. Blessings to you all...Mary

  • Mom68
    Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
    #15
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    MRI? Really?

    Just when I thought I was just going to visit the breast surgeon and they'd say, "no worries", the radiologist referred me for a breast MRI! Really? I'm going to have to work on not stressing about this, while stressing. The MRI is set for Friday, the insurance approved the referral. Anybody out there had a breast MRI? I thought they usually only did MRI's when breast cancer was found to rule out further growth?

    How much of a bill do you all think it will be? I have the PET scan bill I'm waiting for, and the oral surgeon's office is going to call Friday to schedule my salivary gland surgery and discuss cost there as well. Tests, surgeries, bills. Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my (sorry, have to insert humor where I can here). Blessings to you all...Mary

  • Mom68
    Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
    #16
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    MRI vs Biopsy

    Okay...gonna throw this out there...and I'm also going to search this site as well for prior responses...but should I even agree to the MRI? I just read they're expensive, is that correct? And if the surgeon will just biopsy anyway...shouldn't they just biopsy? Why throw another test at me if they're going to just biopsy? Sorry...these are probably issues already discussed, and I will search the site, but I'm just confused now. I've called Cancer Centers of NV (I live in Las Vegas) and left a message. I think I need to meet with a surgeon (haven't been referred to one yet, is that normal?) and discuss this before anything else.

    Anyone live in Las Vegas who knows of a good breast surgeon? I had a great one in Nashville when we lived there (had a false positive once back in the day, and met the nicest female doctor as a result). Thanks again...Mary

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    #17
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    Mom68

     I did not have to do a breast MRI.  After the biopsy was found to be pos for cancer then I was referred to a breast surgeon.  So I dont know what they are thinking.  There are so many different ways docs do things.  Keep us posted please.

    Hugs,

    Annie

  • Mom68
    Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
    #18
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    Thanks, Annie

    I had the MRI done, and am awaiting the results. It should be either tomorrow or the next day. Nervous a bit. The staff hinted that they did see something and said that either (1) the doc will biopsy, or (2) they'll monitor it, as I'm due to have the rest of my salivary gland cancer removed on the 22nd of June. They also said that if they biopsy, then it'll be a surgical biopsy, as the growth is pretty deep in there. What is a surgical biopsy? Is that another in hospital thing? 

    Thanks again for your support. We are not alone in our cancer battles. I'm sitting here right now, thinking about how grateful I am for my two kids, my hubby, my pets, and all of you. God Bless you all...Mary

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    edited June 2017 #19
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    You never walk alone...

    Surgical biopsy, well if it is deep, they cant just go in there and cut on you without knocking you out cause that would hurt big time.  That would be my guess.  I did not have that during mine and it hurt. 

    God is good and he walks your path with you and as you know, he carries you many time along the way.

    Hugs,

    Annie

  • Mom68
    Mom68 Member Posts: 108 Member
    #20
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    Breast MRI Results!

    Got my breast MRI results, and the impression was that "no discrete masses are evident." They recommend a follow up in 6 months to confirm. My bi-rads is a category 3, and I have a category B type of breast density. I'll take it! Even if it becomes cancer later on, they will follow up, determine if it is stable or not, and I can just focus on my upcoming cancer surgery on the 22nd. Thank you all so very very very much for commenting on this thread. You all are fantastic, and you have helped in so many ways. God Bless and Keep you all...Mary

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    #21
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    Yippie!

    Praise God! 

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