Breast Cancer/breast lumps

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Expert: - 1/10/2008


Question
QUESTION: About 4 months ago I found a lump in my left breast.  3 Doctors also feel it.  Mammogram, ultrsound and MRI don't show anything.  What is the usual protocal in this scenario?
I also have a previous cluster of cysts that did not show on mri.  Do cysts show up on mri?

Thank you

ANSWER: In that case, if it can be clearly felt, a thin needle aspiration biopsy (cytological) is the easiest, quickest & simplest method to find out what it is - if available! Otherwise only a surgical biopsy remains unfortunately.
Well cysts should be seen on MRI and also both on ultrasound and mammography.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have very dense breasts. I am confused at why mri would not show lumps I can feel. The mri found a 6mm Fibroademoma in my right breast.  I had no idea it was there and I Can not feel it.

Thank you

Answer
Very dense breasts are tricky! VERY difficult for mammography! But more accessable to ultrasound & MRI. I honestly have no explanation. But it MAY be irregularities in ordinary tissues. A 6 mm lesion can HARDLY be felt (it is less than 1/4 of an inch).

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

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