Failed biopsy on reconstructed breast

Asto

I had a double mx in 2011 for DCIS. Did immediate reconstruction with implants and have attempted to move on with things. Everyone has said I did aggressive treatment and low-risk of getting cancer again. On New Year's I discovered a hard, pea-sized lump on the right side (initial DCIS side). Went to oncologist and he said it was probably nothing but sent me to ultrasound for "peace of mind." They didn't provide that and instead, after two different doctors looking at it for a long time, said I needed a biopsy. I then spent 15 days scared to death and waiting for that. They attempted a core-needle biopsy this week but after about 45 minutes of rooting around on me (and several minutes of pressing down on my foob and me being positive it was going to pop open and burst!), the doctor said she could not safely do a biopsy. She said the lump was too close to the implant. She kind of said it was up to me if I wanted to do more investigating and said it would have to be with a PS. The oncologist said we could keep watching it and keep a close eye on it, or I could go to the PS for more "peace of mind" (again, those words). I met with the PS this morning, and took the bandages off from the biopsy. There is some fluid in there and that side is a bit swollen, also some bruising and blood from the biopsy attempt. The PS didn't feel anything and said it's possible it was just a cyst and the doctor doing the biopsy had disrupted it and it broken it up. He said if I feel the lump again, after the swelling from the biopsy goes down, to come back again and he can take it out surgically for testing. His feeling was that it was a cyst or fat necrosis that was broken up by biopsy. Everyone around me seems relieved.

But I am still worried? I feel like it wasn't very definitive. Why did they not think it was "just a cyst" or a fat necrosis when they spent all that time on the ultrasound? Why did they send me for a biopsy? I was really counting on biopsy results to tell me it was definitely not cancer. But now I feel like it's just weird. I guess this is all for nothing and I should be happy if, in fact I feel nothing either after the swelling goes down. Has anyone else been in this situation and had a biopsy actually make something go away? Am I crazy?!!!

Cuetang

Asto--  I'm sorry that you're going through this, I always hate the fact that something like a lump can throw us back into the BC roller coaster.  Is there any way you could follow up with your breast surgeon a few weeks after everything settles and see what their thought is?   My story-- I found a huge hard pea/bb lump almost 2 years after my reconstruction.  Of course I freaked out and had my BS do a biopsy for the "peace of mind" -- but on ultrasound he couldn't definitively say it was fat necrosis or not (he could tell it wasn't a cyst).  I don't have the issue like you did (because I had the DIEP flap), and it ended up being fat necrosis (who knew after all that time?).  After the biopsy, my lump is still there, but significantly smaller (blends in with the other lumps and bumps).  Maybe in your case the lump was small enough for that to happen?  I'm assuming they put a clip in there for the biopsy, so I'm hoping after everything settles, they could have a clearer picture for you.

You're not crazy.....

Asto

Thanks Cuetang for sharing your experience and responding.  And for agreeing with me that I'm not crazy:)  They did not put a marker in there during the biopsy attempt.  Argh.  I don't have a breast surgeon here yet but maybe that will be my next course of action. 

Cuetang

Definitely a good idea to get yourself the breast surgeon. It looks like you're in the DC area. There's a Northern Virginia thread in the "help me get through treatment" section. Feel free to hop on over there for suggestions for breast surgeons to follow up with. Hang in there!

Jbair79

Asto,

You sure aren't crazy! I just posted about my experience under the biopsy on scar line thread. The radiologist walked in and I think at first he was going to talk me out of the biopsy. He started with there is risk to doing the biopsy. The implant could get punctured. The lump was sitting almost on top of the implant. BS and PS both thought fat necrosis or scar tissue. It almost seemed as if he changed his mind while he was talking to me. He said, we'll attempt the biopsy. I'm going to try to put some of the lidocaine under the nodule to see if I can lift it off the implant. I don't want to rupture the implant. He actually injected some saline as well. He did the biopsy with the help of ultrasound to guide him. I was really surprised when the BS called to say it was a benign lymph node. I should have "peace of mind" but since I've had a few hours to think about it, I have more questions and plan to get answers. I hope you get some answers too! Our diagnoses are pretty much the same. All the best to you,

Joy

Omeggo

Hi all, thank you for this topic. It has been quite a while since being here at  the discussion board. Today I found a huge number of little bumps on the bottom side of my right breast (the cancer side).  The other side (where the prophylactic mx/ reconstruction is ) there aren't any bumps at all.  I also have a swollen lymph node on the right side, so I have been very freaked out.  The fact that it feels almost like sand and your comments here, make me think that these are not new tumors or anything.  Of course, I will worry...but I should get in to see my PS tomorrow.  He's been the most medically on top of it, of all the crew I've had.  Your experience has really helped to calm me down. Thank you!

Take care all and good luck with healing up from the...uh...needle biopsies.

roby7

Last year I found a pea size lump near scar line. I had diep flap surgery. The doctor removed it and it was a cyst. Now I felt a pea size lump in the same area:( I will call the doctor tomorrow

KBeee

roby7, hoping it is benign! Glad you are calling to get it checked.