Three months after core biopsy - pain, additional lump

russianbluecat

Hallo. I wonder if anyone would be willing to share their experiences of the aftermath of a core biopsy? I had two in June this year and am not sure whether what I'm experiencing now is normal or not. 

The first biopsy was in mid-June, for a 1cm lump right at the edge of my right breast (almost in the armpit). It was graded "inconclusive", largely because I have exceptionally dense breasts and they had a really difficult time getting a sufficient sample (even with the maximum local anaesthetic it felt as if they were using a piledriver). I was then scheduled for a vacuum-assisted biopsy but when I arrived the doctor said that she couldn't use this procedure because of the position of the lump, the lack of subcutaneous fat in the area, and - again - my very dense breast tissue. Instead they did a second standard core biopsy but gathered twice the usual number of samples. During this biopsy the doctor casually mentioned that she was fairly sure the lump was a lymph node, and was mortified that no-one had suggested this possibility to me before (as I more or less freaked out at the words). Biopsy #2 was graded "B3", which in the UK means "uncertain/equivocal malignant potential" (B2 is "benign" and B4 is "probable malignancy"). I've been put on an annual mammogram schedule, which is essentially "watch and wait". As I'm 45 now, that will take me to 50 when in the UK I'll enter the universal screening programme under the NHS. 

The initial biopsies were both followed by extreme pain once the local anaesthetic (I had the maximum dose) had worn off, and I had fairly severe pain for about ten days afterwards, plus substantial swelling and bruising. This wasn't surprising as the density of tissue meant they really had to dig with the needle. However it's now almost three months ago and the whole "outside" of the right breast is still intermittently tender with some "flashes" of pain. The original lump, which they reckoned was probably a fibroadenoma but could just be a particularly dense "bit", is still there but there are two other distinct lumps nearby as well. One is about the size of a pea, the other a pinhead. There are also small lumps just under the skin where two of the needle incisions were made, one of which still has a little scar on it which periodically falls off and bleeds. I've spread antiseptic on it but it's still quite itchy and painful.

Is this normal, or has anyone else had a similar experience? Should I expect this kind of aftermath from two procedures, one of them pretty extensive? I am confident that the B3 grading and follow up programme are OK, but am anxious that there could be some kind of low grade infection or similar which could cause problems down the line. Also I'm dealing with nerve damage from an old injury at the moment, which is much worse because I ignored the symptoms for years, and I don't know if that's a possibility after this kind of procedure?

Sorry about the novel and many thanks for reading this far.

Ariom

Hello Russianbluecat!  I had a stereotactic vacuum assist biopsy prior to my Mx, I had soreness up till I had my surgery, over a month later.

It isn't unusual to have the issues you describe, after these procedures. They are invasive and can cause scar issue to form inside the breast, especially if you have such dense breasts and they were digging around. It is also possible to have nerve damage. If you have concerns about there being any low grade infection, you should keep an eye out for any redness and check if you have a fever.

I am sorry you're going through this and hope it resolves for you soon.

russianbluecat

Ariom, many thanks for your very helpful answer. I hadn't thought about scar tissue but that makes a whole lot of sense. I really appreciate your taking the time to share this information.

Klasmom

Hi, just found your post as I am experiencing similar discomfort, now three months after a stereotactic core biopsy. The procedure went ok, with negative results thankfully, but I did bleed quite a bit afterward and did develop a hematoma beneath the incision. I too can feel a small bit of scar tissue at the incision site. About a month after the procedure I had similar flashes of pain, which others here thought were due to nerve regeneration. Those seemed to subside fairly quickly but were replaced with achy pain around the biopsy site. At first I thought it could be cyclical, but now I'm not sure. I saw my surgeon about the hematoma but at that time I hadn't felt the pain for a while and thought it had resolved. She wasn't alarmed by the hematoma and I have a follow up mammo and ultrasound in December.

I am quite uncomfortable at times and a bit unnerved by my achy, hurting breast. On the verge of going back to see the surgeon just to get peace of mind. I'm wondering how you're doing and if your pain has resolved yet?  Did you get any answers about your discomfort?

Mariposa22

Hi there. I had a core biopsy almost 4 weeks ago and there is a hard lump where the incision was. Still very painful. The pain was kinda gone after 10 days and came back. Just like if someone keeps pressing on a bruise. I am not seeing many comments on : After great biopsy

Lula73

mariposa- you could have developed a seroma or hematoma within the breast. That would explain not just the pain but the lump too. I'd call the Breast center where you had it done and let them know to see what they recommend.

Mariposa22

Thank you for your reply Lula. I have called them and they scheduled a surgery to remove the lump and analyse it again.

Mariposa22

I had B4 core biopsy scheduled 3 months ago. They said nothing malignant. Dense breast too. Because of the intense pain from the lump after three months... Like flashes everytime i exercice, they decided to remove the lump and analyse it again. (Excisional biopsy). The results take forever to come since i am in the caribbeans. Waiting for an appointement, my breast today does NOT hurt. First time in three months. Maybe i won't need the surgery. ??? I will let you know