False Negative Core Biopsy: Could it be ILC?

BellevueWashGirl

Hi all,

 My dr found a suspicious area of thickening a couple of weeks ago.  I found a palpable mass shortly thereafter in the same spot.  The mass did not show up on the mammogram, but it was immediately visible on the ultrasound (2 cm, hypoechoic, elongated lobulated, posterior shadowing).

A core needle biopsy showed fibrocystic changes, with dense fibrosis.  The radiologist rated it a BI RADS 4, given that it was a new mass and the biopsy did not yield a specific diagnosis.  I am scheduled for an excisional biopsy a week from today (scared), with needle localization.

I've read some of the posts and I am concerned that there could be ILC in the mass.  I have not felt well for months.  I've been running a low grade fever, been exhausted, fainted in April, have very small new masses in my pelvis (which can be felt, but are not showing up on MRI).  My doctors say that they seem unrelated...I have a sixth sense that they are wrong. 

Anyone here have false negative finding on core needle biopsy prior to their ILC diagnosis?

 I wish each and everyone of you the best!

SoCalLisa

I know you are scared...holding your hand...please just take one step at a time and don't

get ahead of yourself..I think it is a good thing to have the excisional biopsy so you know

for sure what you are dealing with...I know waiting is hard...

Hugs, SoCal 

paige-allyson

I (probably) had 2 false negative needle biopsies prior to my ILC being diagnosed last year. Wish I'd been offered an excisional biopsy. Definitely sounds like the way to go in your case. I am sorry you have to wait a week though- I know the waiting and the anxiety is really awful. It's easier when you know exactly what it is you're dealing with. Wishing you well. This is a good spot to come to for support. Please stay in touch if that is helpful.

Kleenex

BellvueWashGirl - 70-80% of all breast lumps are benign, right? And yours is coming out, which is awesome. The odds are in your favor that it really is nothing to worry about. When it is out, they'll thoroughly study it and you'll have your final answer. You're doing what you need to do, you're in good hands, and hopefully all will turn out well. While women do tend to have intuition about things, it's also common to start to get into a vortex of worry when something seems off and suddenly you convince yourself there are terrible things going on in your body. I don't know how old you are, but I'm 45 and it seems that this stuff with my breast showed up just as other things in my body were doing absolutely normal but annoying age-related things that truly were not related to my breast.

Stay busy, and hopefully your results will be benign! Let us know!

Coleen

BellevueWashGirl

I am very glad that I am having the lump out.

Allysonw, thanks for your support...

Kleenex, ditto...

I am 42 and yes, I have had many aches and pains lately...I also admit to be in the middle of a vortex of worry.  Just getting used to new age related nuisances...

I"ve booked a busy weekend.  I'm having preop tests on Monday and a ton of work to do on Tuesday and Wednesday.  I'm even going to a fundraiser on Wednesday evening.  Surgery is on Thursday.

I will keep you all posted.

God bless.

MaureenA

Hello BellevueWashGirl,

I will be thinking good thoughts for you this week!  I believe you are very wise to have the excisional biopsy.  When I had a stereotactic needle biopsy for a similar area about this time last year, it showed only LCIS. The excisional biospy found the Invasive Lobular Cancer--not good news, but better to find it when it's relatively small.  Although I will not presume to know what you are feeling, I will tell you that I was really scared about the procedure, but can honestly say it was actually not bad (surprisingly less painful than the stereotatic needle biopsy).  I am hopeful your procedure will go smoothly.

BellevueWashGirl

Many thanks MaureenA.

I've been keeping myself busy.  Surgery is on Thursday.  Just wanting to get this over with.

I've also been keeping it together and started to get concerned that I was not letting my feelings out.  Well, today I had a good cry.  I went for preoperative testing and I burst into tears as soon as they finished drawing my blood (6 vials...).  I guess it finally became real....

I hope to have another good cry (or two) before Thursday.  Looking forward to spending some time sleeping at home after the surgery.

In the meantime, I get by...in part with encouraging messages from you and others on this board.  God Bless and hope you are feeling well. 

Kleenex

A very "southern" friend of mine highly recommends the healing power of a "good come-apart." So I'm glad you had one. Sometimes, you can plan them, and sometimes, your body just decides it's time of its own accord. I had one triggered by a sweet radiation tech who was doing my bone scan. I literally could not stop crying for about four hours, on and off. Prior to that, I was under the impression that I was fine. And I actually was fine - better - after the "come apart."

I hope all goes well tomorrow!

Coleen

BellevueWashGirl

Hi,

 Yesterday was my excisional biopsy.  The wire localization was definitely bearable.  I woke up in a lot of pain after the surgery, but am doing just fine this morning.

The surgeon took out the 2 cm lump, as planned.  She also took out additional tissue near the lump which looked "nodular" --- better safe than sorry.  She still remains positive that we won't find cancer.

Now I wait until the middle to end of next week. 

I will keep you all posted...you've been great!