Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 1/11/2010

Question
I am 46years old, I had my rountine mamagram and it showed that I have a 2cm mass in my left breast in the middle at the bottom part of my breast.  I can feel the lump, but doctor couldn't feel it.  I am very concerned about the lump because when i took the test before I could get home my doctor was calling me to come back anout the results.  He scheduled me to see a surgeon and he suggested that I have a biopsy where he would take the entire lump out.  If its cancer he will have to go back and remove tissue surrounding the lump.  When a surgeon go in , can he tell then if its cancer, and from what i wrote here do it sound like cancer to you,my mother was diagnised with bc 4 years ao and she is 69 now.  Very concerned  

Answer
Some sort of biopsy is NECESSARY in this situation. Was any ultrasound scan done and if so could your lesion be seen there as well? If I was in charge here I would have a needle biopsy done either stereotactically based on mammography or by ultrasound guidance. That way we would know what we are dealing with before any surgery would have to be considered. No a surgeon can not be completely sure if it is cancer or not until the pathologist has examined the specimen. Since you have a family history of breast cancer you may be at a greater risk. That is all I can say now without having seen your pictures myself. Please do keep me posted!


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