Feeling confused about the diagnosis

Dear Silvabell

Welcome to the Online Community, my name is Fiona and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists here on the Macmillan Support Line. I see that you are also a member of the Breast Cancer forum, I hope that you are finding it a safe and supportive space.

Here at the Macmillan Support Line we are able to give general information and support. We are independent from the NHS and don’t have access to medical records so we can’t give personalised information, but I will try to answer your query for you.

As you are probably aware, ultrasound and MRI work in very different ways. Ultrasound scanning is used initially as it is usually more available and can give general images, whereas MRI give much more detailed images of internal structures, so we often find that the findings are not the same.

Since the scans are done whilst the lump is still in the body, it will be held in a certain position by other tissues. So it is common for lumps to measure differently once they are in the pathology lab: this is due to how it is handled, how it is ‘fixed’ in formalin, and the different density of the lump.  Also, the histopathologist is able to make a detailed examination of the tissue and some malignant cells can be identified microscopically that were not visible on scanning.

Research tells us that it is better to have a margin of at least 1 to 2 millimetres (1 - 2mm) of healthy tissue all around the area of the cancer. This margin reduces your risk of the cancer coming back in the breast or spreading in the future. Between 15 and 35% (15 to 35 people out of 100) will need to have a further re-excision unfortunately.

 It might be helpful, if you haven’t already, to make contact with your Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). This nurse can answer any questions or worries you may have and to also liaise with the consultant and other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) if this is needed, for you. 

Being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatments can be a time of different emotions.  Please do reach out for further support if you feel that this would be of help to you during this time.

I hope that this information is helpful. 

With kind regards

Fiona S

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

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