alh 4 years ago/now adh in opposite breast

arc12

Hi everyone. Thank you so msuch for this community. Its hard to understand unless you've experienced it.

so 4 years ago a lump in my right breast was ALH. excisional biopsy confirmed.

today, they called regarding results from core biopsy that revealed ADH on left breast (also a palpable lump) the good news is that it says no DCIS, and flat epithial atypia. Also good news was it was duct ectasia, surrounding fibrosis, and chronic inflammation.

I'm quit sure my surgeon will recommend another excisional biopsy to ensure nothing lurking. Has anyone else experienced this? Is so, what decision did you make? I just turned 50 and don't want to be on tamoxifin because i'm on methatraxate for inflammatory arthritis.

fyi. i've already had melanoma, am on HRT due to menopause, and a maternal aunt died of breast cancer at young age, many years ago.

Thank you in advance for your input and thoughts

with much regard and in kind

Angie

Anonymous

Have you considered going for genetic testing for BRCA? and going off HRT? I know menopausal SEs are rough (I've had them for almost 12 years since my TAH/SBO surgery put me into immediate surgical menopause), but HRT is contraindicated with any atypical or invasive breast pathology (ADH, ALH, DCIS, LCIS, , IDC, ILC) as the estrogen puts you at higher risk of developing further bc issues.

Anne

arc12

thank you so much, Anne, for responding. Yes, I have considered the brac testing. I also have weighed the risk for bc and hrt. I'm now reconsidering the hrt decision.

I meet with my breast surgeon tomorrow. Since ADH was found on core, I am going to ask him for lumpectomy instead of excisional biopsy due to higher risk of ADH actually being dcis on excisional.

He's an excellent breast surgeon and he also did my melanoma surgery, so I trust him, and I'm very thankful for him.

Have you had any experience in core being upgraded on excisional? Any information would be appreciated. I've done my homework and saw where the 14 gauge spring loaded biopsy has a 48% chance of being upgraded as opposed to 11 gauge vacuum assisted.

God bless you and thank you again

With much respect and in kind

Angi

wonderwoman101

I'm sorry you're having to deal with biopsies again. No fun!!

I had a non palpable lump found via mammogram and a core needle biopsy done with 18 gauge (he was convinced it was a fibroadenoma) and they found ADH so I have excisional biopsy (although report said excisional lumpectomy) which found ADH, ALH and FEA.

Since you've been through it once, hopefully this time around will be a little easier for you. Even if it's only because you know what to expect.

From what I know it's standard care to remove the ADH surgically. Try not to worry too much! I hope you can get it scheduled quickly. And don't be afraid to ask for anxiety meds if you need them. They helped me tremendously.

Please keep in touch

arc12

Thank you so much, wonder woman. Thank you for sharing your story. The good news is, I am completely at peace and unafraid. I simply want to be aggressive and informed before meeting with the surgeon. I'm so glad they did they did the excisional biopsy to uncover the ADH, ALH and FEA. I guess the difference is that on my core they alread,y found ADH and FEA. So I really just want the lumpectomy because I suspect the DCIS i hiding under all that. And that way, if they do the lumpectomy, its done. I won't have to face another surgical procedure.

I can never thank you enough for your input, encouraging words, and sharing you story.

God bless you

in kind and with much respect

Angie

p.s., alh was found 4 years ago in opposite breast at age 46, and now just turned 50. Is that considered young or exactly the right age? I know cancer knows no age. My friend just passed away at 48, another at 56, and another terminal at age 56.

MelissaDallas

Angie, an excisional biopsy IS a lumpectomy. The only difference is they call it a lumpectomy when the goal isclean margins with an already identified cancer. Whichever you call it, they still won't know if the margins are clean, should you have cancer, until the pathology comes back. There is no way to guarantee you still wouldn't have to have a reexcision if cancer is found.

arc12

hi Melissa! Thank you so much and my sincere apologies. I wasn't clear. I want my surgeon to get clean margins the first time so there is no second "surgery" based on the 2nd pathology because of having to get pathology while they wait and I'm asleep. They were able to do that when they did my invasive melanoma and the only path I waited for was lymph node, which he was confident was ok, and it was.I'm not sure they will do that, I meet with him tomorrow. It's just getting expensive already, but I feel like insurance requires them to follow protocol.

Thanks again

God bless

With much respect and in kind

Angie

Imhopeful

I'm sorry that you are going through this. I hope everything goes well for you. I had a mammogram and ultrasound done and got my results that I needed a biopsy on both breast because they found 1cm lump on one breast and 2 cm lump on the other. I was told it catagory 4 so that's why I need a biopsy. I'm frantic and been crying with anxiety. I just need someone to talk to and that I'm not alone

arc12

oh I'm so so sorry. I know you must be afraid, because this is my second time around I feel really peaceful. I hope that everthing turns out ok. My core came back with abnormal cells so they are doing an excisional next week. I was also a bi rad 4. You are not alone. We are all here for you. I hope everything goes well for you. God bless you and calm your sou

arc12

Hi there. I just wanted to report the great news! My exc biopsy was completely benign. He offered to send me to an oncologist because of my history with invasive melanoma, alh, and now adh all in 7 years, but I know that I won't take tamoxifen so I'm just putting all of this behind me. I sure hope that all of you stay well, and God bess you

thanks for being here for me during those long two months of test and waiting