Breast Cancer/abnormal mammo

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Expert: - 7/17/2006


Question
I am 46 and have a 1cm palpable mass in my areola. I also have microcalcifications throughout both breast.  I have a strong family history of cancer...mother had breast,deceased; father had kidney, deceased; brother had lung, deceased; other brother has lung, all my aunts and uncles had cancer from brain to colon (15 people).  I had adneon polyp removed 3 yrs ago and hysterectomy for cervical hyperplasia.  I had a breast biopsey in the 90's which was benign but also hyperplasia.  My mammo last week came back abnormal with calcifications and my gyn ordered a ultrasound which will be done tomorrow.  With my history, I want it removed or biopsied. Am I jumping the gun?  My cuz had a "cyst" that they wanted to watch for 3 months, she told them no and when they biopsied it, it was the "fastest" typed of breast cancer that they told her would have spreaded if she had of waited. During my exam, my gyn felt other 1cm+ nodules in my right breast.  I am confused.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Ask for thin needle aspiration biopsies from the palpable & visual lesions - if their number is reasonable, otherwise we will have to discuss this anew. But then you will have biopsy results to show you what to do. Your X-ray mammograms should also be backed up not only with ultra sound but also with MRI mammograms!

Breast Cancer

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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.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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