MRI guided biopsy

pattierpm

Hi

I was scheduled for a lumpectomy with a SNR removal today but had MRI last Wed and found an 8mm site so they cancelled the surgery and I am having a MRI guided biopsy on Thursday 7/10.  Was told that if the new site is invasive they recommend a mastectomy.  The original site (in same breast) is 2.5 cm x 3 cm.

Gitane

Just another thing to try to wrap your mind around.  Take someone with you when you get the biopsy.  I didn't and wished I had. I thought it would be like my core biopsy, but it was more involved, and I could have used the support afterward.  Anyway,  let's hope it's benign and you will be able to proceed with your original plans.  Mine was benign.  I ended up getting the mastectomy anyway, but that's just me, didn't want the worry.  Best of luck, will be thinking of you Thursday.

pattierpm

How involved?  How long was the biopsy and did a regular surgeon perform it?  I am set for a second opinion next Wed 7/16 at the Dana Farber in Boston.  Having trouble getting all my records and test.  They want hard copied and not the Cd's.  The hospital wants $10 for each hard copy.  Do you know if medical insurance covers that.  So many questions.  Thank you for the encouraging words.

yellowrose

Pattie, my MRI biopsy took about 2 1/2 hours from the time I arrived until the time I left. I was required to have someone with me to drive.  I had an IV to administer contrast but was given a shot to relax me for the procedure (plus lots of lidocaine to numb the breast).  The MRI biopsy was performed by the chief radiologist of the breast care unit.  My excisional biopsy turned lumpectomy was performed by a surgeon (with the wire placed by the chief radiologist).

Regarding the copies, my insurance doesn't cover copy fees and my hospital charges $1.00 per page which added up fast.  I had 43 pages from one procedure with applicable doctor visits.  If my doctor requests copies to be sent, there is no fee.  Check with your original surgeon's office and see if the second opinion doctor's office requests the copy if it will save you the copy fee.  Worth a try anyway. 

Hope the biopsy goes well and is benign.  Prayers coming your way for your upcoming surgery.

wishiwere

Mine was scheduled for 1pm, and I didn't get out of there till about 5:30.  45 minutes of that was trying to get the danged site to stop bleeding with ice and pressure.  I was in almost immediately and started as someone the IV and contrast, and had a mammo, followed by the MRI and then the procedure, followed by another MRI & mammo to check the placement of the clip they insert for when you have surgery so that the path guy can see where the lump was.  They took 11 samples (only 4 with the US guided one on the other lump).  Be/c of this, they removed the entire 1cm lump with this procedure.  

Be/c of both being cancerous, and in different quadrants, I had to forgo the lump and do the mast.  In the end, I'm glad they did, b/c it's still bothersome that they said it was all removed with the core. I would have worried that something was left behind, so I'm glad it's gone and in a jar!  Now, If they (whoever) would just leave the danged thing in the jar on the shelf and quit tickling my nipple, I'd be fine!  

pattierpm

I had a hell of a day and I am pissed (pardon my language but no other word best describes it).

I got into the hospital at 11:30 my appt was not until 1pm but I thought I would try to get all my records for next week.  The MRI tech came and got me at 12:15 so I was happy because  I thought I would be done sooner.  He prepped me and put the IV in for the contrast and said the Dr would be right in.  45 minutes later the nurse came in and apologized for the delay and said the Dr just finished in surgery and would be right in.  15 minutes later an Indian gentleman (that I presumed was the Dr. to do the test, came in and asked me what I knew about the problem and why I was having the MRI guided biopsy (DUH!!!!) I told him and he said he would be right back as he wanted to read my last MRI.  Waited another 30 minutes and the surgeon that did my core biopsy with the ultra sound came in and told me the original surgeon was in a meeting and could not do the biopsy and the Dr that was going to do it (the Indian gentleman)\) did not feel qualified to do it.  She was very upset and she asked me if I would undergo another ultra sound to see if she could find it and do the biopsy.  I found her very qualified the first time so I said ok.  She and the technician tried for about 20-40 minutes and could not find it.  Even gave me another mammogram to see if she could see it.  She apologized and said she was going to have the chief of radiology at the Brigam-Dana Farber read my MRI.  She also said she would be sure that all my records would be there when I got there Wed.

I called my BS and her associate said she was in surgery all day and this is the first time they heard of the problem.  She said the BS would call me as soon as she got out of surgery.  I was in transit, coming home, when she called so I missed it.  She apologized up and down and said she would get to the bottom of the situation and get back to me first thing tomorrow morning.  What a day!!!!!!

I really need this stress.  Now it is hurry up and wait again.  I like the BS at Boston Medical but I am going to see what Dana Farber has to say and then make my decision.

Hate to bother you with this stuff but I could not talk to anybody else.

Pattie