Recovering from excisional biopsy

momof4va

I am about 30 days out from an excisional biopsy on my right breast. Most of the swelling and bruising are gone but I now have a lump about the size and feel of a large grape at the biopsy site. I didn't have a lump prior to the surgery. Is this normal?

I have an upcoming appt with MO to discuss chemoprevention as recommended by my BS. I'm a little confused as to why it would be necessary since there was no additional atypia found from the excisional biopsy. I thought if there were clean margins medication would not be necessary. My final diagnosis was usual ductal hyperplasia, apocrine metaplasia with cystic change, radial scar and columnar cell change. No additional flat epithelial atypia identified. Anyone with similar Dx on meds?

Moderators

Hi momof4va,

This sounds like it may be a seroma or a hematoma. You may want to check in with your doctor to let him know you're experiencing this and see what he recommends -- he may want to drain it, or it may go away on its own.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

Ladyzana

Hi. I am having excisional biopsy on Monday Oct 3rd and I am scared. They are running a wire with a local also. They already did a needle biopsy and removed a calcification that showed both ADH and FEA. While they tell me they are expecting to find nothing, they want to rule out any cancer in the formation stage or hiding.

I guess I am more scared of the pain than anything right now. The local for the needle biopsy was horrible! I don't know what to expect with this local. Can anyone elaborate? I want to be mentally prepared. This has been the summer from hell!

Icietla

Hi Ladyzana. We are sorry about the concerns that have brought you here, but we are glad you found us. This is the best site on the internet for information, support, and understanding about breast cancer and related concerns.

I also had wire placement for my excisional biopsy. Before the surgery, I was taken from Pre-Op to Radiology. There were two injections done in my breast. The first injection was local anesthetic, and the next one was dark blue colorant fluid. Then the wire placement was done. Then that breast was mammogrammed to confirm that the wire was positioned correctly.

The Radiologist will (or should) apologize in advance of the injections. Yes, the injections hurt. By the time those are done, though, that pain has passed.

For optimum healing, your breast should have very good, continuous support for some lengthy time following your surgery.

Wicked

Ladyzana, I had two excisional biopsies both with wire localization, one on the right, one on the left, on the same day. I had almost no pain at all. My surgery started at 10:40 am, by 12:15, I was completely fine! Was home by 1 pm. Everyone is different, but for me, I did not find this procedure to be painful at all.