Malignancy confirmed, awaiting further results of biopsy

surprisedat65

With a BI-RAD 5 I wasn't expecting any better news.

Next step is an MRI for better info regarding the lumpectomy, to further check the other breast, and to determine if I'm a candidate for balloon radiation (5 days, 5 treatments and done)—tumor must be 3 cm or smaller and the mammo & ultrasound say it's 2.5 but was told the latter are not so reliable regarding size. Told that there is virtually no advantage to having a mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy. Do you agree?

I don't have the best insurance (Medicare Advantage) so that will hold things up a bit as all approvals need to be requested via my PCP's office and they're not too on the ball there. Also I cannot have the MRI in any place but a hospital which didn't make the doc too happy.

I wasn't offered the results of the biopsy so far. Any point in asking for them or should I just wait until everything is in?

funthing42

You have to remember that everyone's breast ca is so different.

If you look at my Hx a year ago today I had a b/l mastectomy . For me because of recurrence it was thought to be the best thing . 2 mos after chemo it came back in the skin locally. My only regret is not getting a second opinion in 2009. I would have removed them the first time. My lesion was 0.6mm. But aggressive. No nodes.

I would have not had Rads the first time. I guess that is three regrets.

And then for the forth . When my breast Ca recurred the second time I would have kept them.

It's awful either way. And very much like the weather .

But just make sure you do not rush into anything. Get your second and third opinions .

Good luck !!! Read survivor stories best way combat free.

I'm still one step ahead . Pets negative. No nodes off to have rads again. This time second and third opinions from the top 5.

MAKE sure get your report. Do not let insurance dictate your future. Contact American Cancer institute know your rights. Then go on one of theses forums for insurance issue and post away.

Good luck Big hugs.