How long can I wait

dragonfly22

I had a biopsy with the result of Atypical Ductal hyperplasia and I have been told I need an excisional biopsy. I know that this means I am at higher risk for BC and there may be BC behind what was taken in the needle biopsy. My boss wants me to wait until he goes on vacation to do the surgery. Can I safely wait 2 months or should I move on this right away? Im scared to do the biopsy anyway and find myself wanting to put it off anyway. Anyone have any advice (please be nice Im really scared)

Ddw79

I was in your situation last year and I had the excisional biopsy within a week. I think it's best to check with your surgeon. She should tell you what it might mean ( or not ) to wait. Personally I did not want to wait . The biopsy while no day at the beach is not terrible and will in all likelihood not leave you out of work for more than three days total. My boss having breast cancer herself strongly suggested that I have the biopsy as soon as possible. The ADH was not upgraded upon biopsy. I am told only a 15. % likelihood of upgrade to cance.

Good luck with this decision

Momof6littles

LCIS was found in my needle biopsy. I have been told that they don't do any more surgery at all any more. Just increased surveillance. My aunt had ALH found in hers and one surgeon said excisional biopsy, another said not, just surveillance. So I think it is safe to wait and the need to do anything more even varies between surgeons.

I personally would prefer an excisional biopsy for my own peace of mind. But it has already been 2 months of waiting between other tests and second opinions. So you are probably OK to wait.

But I totally understand that waiting is hard

Edited to say: But I'm talking lobular, not ductal. That may be different.

BarredOwl

Hi dragonfly22:

Please seek medical advice regarding recommended timing in your particular case. If your breast surgeon indicates that this should be (or should preferably be) attended to in the short-term, then please do not hesitate to indicate this medical necessity to your boss (or human resources if needed).

The point is to either exclude the presence of malignant disease (e.g., IDC, DCIS) or to identify it if it is. Although odds are in your favor of a benign result, should there be something in there, it seems to me that identifying it sooner rather than later is very much in your best interest. Your health is the most important thing here. You can try and schedule surgery near the end of the week so you would probably be out for only the day of surgery and maybe the day after, returning to work after the weekend.

I had an excisional biopsy for another reason, but it went very smoothly. I was surprised at how quickly it healed.

BarredOwl

dragonfly22

Hi everyone

Thank you for your comments. It has helped. I will talk to the surgeon about the timing.

I work at a very small office and there is no human resources unfortunately. There are only 6 of us here.

dragonfly22

My sister had BC and had a double mastectomy. My daughter had kidney cancer and had a kidney removed. It just doesnt go well for my family when it comes to things like this. Im pretty sure I can go down the list of my family and mention cancer in one form or another. So this is why im scared. Though I am trying to keep in mind my odds are good.

I appreciate that you all took the time to answer

BarredOwl

Hi dragonfly22:

Family history may affect your risk profile, and should be considered in connection with recommended timing of the surgical biopsy procedure (and future screening). Keep us posted.

Will be hoping for benign results for you.

BarredOwl

dragonfly22

Well i will be having the surgery in a few weeks the Dr said he thinks it will be ok to wait until the end of July. I will come back and let you know.

Mominator

Hi dragonfly22,

Since the amount of cancer in your family concerns you, ask your doctor if genetic counseling and genetic testing is appropriate for you.

Depending on the results of your excision and the genetic testing, you and your doctor will have more information when making choices. For example, if excision and genetic are both negative, there's a big weight off your shoulders. If excision and genetic are both positive, you may consider BMX instead of a lumpectomy. Or maybe do increased surveillance, and whatever you MO suggests.

Best wishes, Mominator  

dragonfly22

Thank you Mominator. My Dr put in an auth for genetic testing and it was denied. HMO's are not the best. So not sure of my next step there. I'm trying to go with the flow right now and take each step as it comes. After the surgery I will try and push for the test. Just trying to keep the stress lvl down at the moment. My sister took the test after her BMX and it was negative so that is a good sign (I think) Fingers crossed

Denise-G

dragonfly - I have seen many women on these boards recommend this company who will do genetic testing for $249.. here is the link:

www.getcolor.com

dragonfly22

Thank you Denise-G

dragonfly22

Hello everyone. Well I had my surgery 2 weeks ago. No results yet I have my post op on friday. Most of the bruising went away already but today i noticed I have a lump and pain near the incision site. This is new. I was doing great and all of a sudden the pain came back and the lump looks a bit purple deep under the skin. My post op is the day after tomorrow do you think this can wait untill then or should I call my doctor right away?

ChiSandy

You could be getting a seroma or hematoma. Call the doctor but (s)he'll likely tell you to wait till your scheduled visit the next day. Unless it turns red, swells, gets hot and you feel ill or feverish. In that case, call your doctor...from the ER or Urgent Care clinic

dragonfly22

Thank you for your reply. I did talk to the Dr at my post op. He said i do have a small seroma but unless it gets bigger it should be ok so just keep an eye on it. And the good news is that my results are ok. All margins are clear ADH was confirmed but nothing in margins and no further treatment is needed. I am so grateful for all of you on this site with your kind words and advice. Thank you all so much.