Can biopsies cause cancer to spread?

Emily2008

Yes, I noticed that line, too. Good point.

I remember asking my BS about it and she was quite clear in her opinion and experience that "seeding" wasn't an issue. I suppose time will tell, but even then, I'll never know for sure.

candles1

I remember reading somewhere that an excisional (surgical) biopsy with good margins is the "gold standard" if you want to absolutely ensure that a potential malignancy won't be spread by the biopsy procedure. However, surgery is expensive and carries more risk than fine needle and stereotactic biopsies. So, unless you have a ton of cash to pay for one yourself, good luck getting any surgeon to do an excisional biopsy absent other circumstances (such as a failed needle biopsy, or lesion in an area that's hard to reach by needle).

I've had all kinds of biopsies (needle, stereotactic and surgical) and by far have preferred the surgical for the comfort of the procedure as well as the peace of mind (the whole thing is taken out, not just a sample). But, again, these days good luck finding a surgeon willing to do it. Insurers won't pay for it without special circumstances.

Italychick

I had excisional biopsy/lumpectomy with no previous biopsy. I was a birads 5 category so maybe that helped with insurance approval, but I had my approval in 24 hours from insurance, no issues at all. I told the surgeon to take a big chunk out, I want one and done if possible, and my surgeon took me at my word, 8 cm x 8 cm x 4 cm. for a 1.3 cm tumor. Now, two and a half years later, I have a slight ripple running across the side of my breast which does not bother me at all. My lump was at 2:00 left breast.

But in my case, they were 99% positive it was cancer, so there wasn't much debate. Other people have different experiences.

carmstr835

Italychick, I wish I was as lucky as you. Even with a birads5 they refused to do an excisional biopsy.

vijaykapoor

Did she do any other treatment for that micro invasion of sentinel nodes?

klvans

After watching my biopsy I asked my Dr. about it. She said no.

NicolaSue

I had a vacuum assisted excision biopsy designed to take the whole lump out but during the procedure the machine failed!! The doctor said that she had almost got clear margins and so she would leave it at that as they didn't have a second machine. I have therefore spent a whole year wondering what impact this will have. However I can't do anything about it. No one would go in there again as it was 'only' LCIS so I just have to live with that fear that a 'bad' biopsy might do some harm.

nanette7fl

hello I'm new here recently diagnosed with IDC 1A and tumor on Oct 23 2018 was 1.9 cm. Had biopsy done fiund ouy it is triple positive and went for breast MRI last week and now my tumor has been broken up into 5 separate pieces and they have moved!! Original tumor was at 11 o'clock in my left nreast and I have pieces at 11..12...3 ..6. And 2 o'clock. The 6 o'clock one is now large enough that I can feel it in the shower. I have to have a bi-layeral ultrasound tomorrow per surgeon and possible biopsy in the right breast as 2 new neoplasms have shown up at 11 & 12. I was originally to undergo a left lumpectomy but now I'm sure that is even possible anymore. I'm really REALLY pissed that it was once a "nice neat little tumor" and now it's seeded out. Surgeon told me when we met that the radiologist made a "mess: doing 5he biopsy now I see why she said that.

Sorry I'm feeling really bummed right now amd trying to keep the sun shining in the shafows right now.

Moderators

Sending you hugs nanette7fl. We hope that you can answers soon, and not have to endure any more biopsies.

Rah2464

Such an interesting thread. My core needle biopsy felt very violent because I had small, dense breasts. The doctor had to really manipulate the tissue to get to the area for biopsy. My tumor was closer to my chest wall so that really makes me anxious. And I don't think mine was a vacuum assisted device which should be a gold standard if it reduces potential of seeding. Just look at the new information that has come out about greater risk of seeding with laparoscopic surgery for cervical cancer! When I was 30, I had a suspicious mass removed in my right breast surgically. I have to say having had both types of biopsies the surgical one seems to be safer (because you get the entire mass). I do worry about any errant cells even though I did a BMx.