Biopsy tomorrow

Mrs_Emm

i had a Soncine full breast ultrasound this past Friday and I'm scheduled for core biopsy tomorrow.. The mass was found, to my surprise, in the opposite breast than I initially saw the Dr for.. Everything happened very quickly, the tech came and took more images, went to talk to radiologist, came back said there is a suspicious mass, and sent me to the breast care coordinator... No one spoke to me about what. They saw, or suspected, though I saw what it looked like when she was taking more images, color Doppler and looking at my lymph nodes right in same area.. I asked some questions, but the coordinator didn't have any info except that they are gonna do core biopsy, maybe vacuum asst (tho I was too stunned to remember in what circumstance she said they would or would not do that) and place a clip.. I had the presence of mind to ask for the preliminary report... The report says they found " 1cm oval solid hypoechogenic mass @ 12:00 middle depth. The mass is suspicious of malignancy."

At bottom it says birad 4.. They use only #, not 4b etc.. Which from this site I know with a 4 the odds are in my favor, but do they always say suspicious for malignancy? I read a lot of women have someone reassure them and say, its probably this, or that, but we just need to make sure..I tried to call my Dr to get full report, I was curious of what the edges looked like, shadowing, etc. But they just sent the same report I already have over, and it has none of that info.. I guess I'm just here venting about how nerve racking it is to get that piece of paper with those words, and then wait.. I had to wait till Wednesday because I take aspirin and had to clear it from system.. Now I'm hoping that after tomorrow they have the biopsy results by Friday.. Idk if I can stand another whole weekend not knowing!

LisaAlissa

Yes. They always say "suspicious for malignancy" for a BiRADs 4. Some practices subdivide the BiRADs 4 category (into "a," "b" or "c"), others don't. That yours didn't, doesn't mean anything.

BiRADs 4 is the earliest category that calls for biopsy, and usually the minimum BiRADs which an insurance co. will conclude needs a biopsy that they will cover. You were told that you will be having a biopsy. Please note that of all those who are sent for biopsy, 80% will be told that the results are "benign."

It's because (from the medical professionals point of view) you are still in the screening process and only have a 20% chance of cancer that they seem to be very blase about the whole process.

My suggestion? Find things that distract you and entertain you and try to not let this affect your week/weekend. There's no reason (at least nothing you've told us) which suggests you'll be in the 20%.

HTH,

LisaAlissa

Mrs_Emm

yeah, thanks for your response, I was really just venting because this is super stressful regardless of results.. Missed work d/t tests etc... I had the biopsy yesterday and feel ALOT better, as this Dr sat and actually talked to me about what we were looking at, why we were doing biopsy etc.. I'm generally a calm level headed person so long as I feel somewhat in control of situations.. I NEEDED that discussion, no one had it with me prior, only a piece of paper saying suspicious of malignancy and sent me on my way. I feel really positive about it all now, bedside manner counts for a lot in these situations, for me anyway

MTwoman

So glad you had a good experience yesterday Mrs. Emm, and that you got the discussion that you needed to get your questions answered. Pieces of paper rarely offer that same result, I agree. It is certainly discouraging and frustrating when you are not treated like an intelligent adult, capable of understanding the procedures they are performing.