Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 5/31/2007

Question
During a recent routine mammogram, they detected what they first said was a dense spot on my right breast. During a following mammogram and ultrasound, they found what they said is an asymmetric spot at the 9 o'clock position on my right breast. I was refered to a breast specialist, but can't be seen until August. What does this all mean and should I be worried? Thank you Marlene Luke

Answer
What it seems they have seen is an area - there is no information of its size, form and other details - of increased density in your right breast at the 9 o'clock position - which is where the nine would be if your breast was the face of a clock. I do not know your age etc. either so it is not possible for me to evaluate this information fully. Nor do I know the result of the ultrasound scan or why an MRI scan was not done with this finding in hand?! That complicates it somewhat more. However this should be checked! The easiest way would be by a needle biopsy for example stereotactically using mammography pictures. With a biopsy we will most probably KNOW what this is, without it we do not know anyting with any certainty except that something is there. I'm also surprised and disturbed by your long waiting time! Why? Where do you live? Can you not find anyone else who can see you earlier? There may be no reason to worry at all! But at the moment we do not know! And the best and fastest way to find out is by a biopsy. So it disturbs me that nothing along that line can be arranged until August! And actually it is so simple to do that the X-ray department where your mammograms were made should actually be able to routinely arrange it once they could see your mammograms without involving anyone in between! Please do keep me posted!

The asymmetry here is just that there is a density in your right breast, but not in your left obviously.