Worried about being left in limbo with conflicting results

kjks

I am 54 and had a normal mammogram 7 months ago I found I small hard lump in my right breat on 03 march On March 13th I had an ultrasound and then a core biopsy where 3 samples were taken.

I went back on Monday 20th march for my results the consultant said your biopsy is normal ( whew I was able to breath again) but then she said the radiologist felt the U/S was imcompatible with the biopsy findings and they could not say anymore.

the multi disciplinary team are meeting on Friday 24th march to discuss all their problem cases including mine.

They may ask for another core biopsy or an MRI.

I suffer from fibromyalgia too and needless to say the last few weeks have sent this into overdrive I have opain all down my right side and I am thinking the worst case scenario.

I haven't slept in a week despite my doctor giving me Xanex and sleeping tablets to tide me over until I get some diagnosis.

My poor husband is exhausted I am up all night and crying at the drop of a hat all the time trying to act normal in front of my kids family and friends.

Has anyone else ever had an outcome like this.

Should I be a bit more positive that the biopsy is normal.Is it more telling than the ultrasound?

I would appreciate any advice at all .

I cannot believe how stressful this is .Im so terrified I feel like a may have a coronary before I get a final result

Moderators

Hi kjks,

We just wanted to let you know we're all here for you -- you'll be sure to receive some great support soon!

Hang in there and please keep us posted!

--The Mods

cive

KJKS, I've sent a message to our resident RO, djmammo, since I think he can probably address this best.  

djmammo

KJKS

If you could obtain a copy of the radiology reports and the pathology report I could be more specific in my comments. Without that information, the following is a general explanation of what is likely going on.

This is not an uncommon situation in breast imaging and intervention. After each biopsy the rad who performed the biopsy reviews the pathology report together with all the patient's imaging to date. They then decide either "yes that's what I thought it would be" which is a "concordant" result or "Hmmm, that's not what I thought it was going to be" which is referred to as a "discordant" (incompatible) result which is where you find yourself.

There are two type of discordant results: 1) We thought it was benign and pathology says its malignant 2) We thought it was malignant and pathology says its benign. Number 1 goes to treatment. My thoughts are you may be in category type 2 ?

The next step is to review the case with others (multidisp. team of rads and pathologists) and the following subjects are discussed: 1) Was the wrong target biopsied? (This applies to someone with multiple similar looking abnormalities. If you only had one target then this does not apply to you.) 2) Was the target sampled properly? The images and procedure will be reviewed to make sure the needle actually went through the target on all passes of the biopsy needle. This will then be compared to the amount of material obtained and the quality of the samples. 3) Was there a specific benign diagnosis given by pathology like "this is a fibroadenoma" or was it deemed "unremarkable benign breast tissue". If imaging shows the target was properly identified and biopsied and there is a specific benign diagnosis then I would be satisfied to look at it again in 6 months. If the sampling was questionable and/or pathology said that all they see is ordinary breast tissue then I have to think maybe I didn't sample it well enough and along with pathology make the decision to re-biopsy the target.

The decision to re-biopsy or get an MRI will depend on the specifics of your case. Many factors are considered including size of the target, the exact wording of the radiology and path report, your history, etc. If an MRI is done and the abnormality is well seen they may opt to do the biopsy with MRI guidance rather than return to Ultrasound.

Let us know how things progress.

Egads007

My heart goes out to you.....yes the waiting and worry absolutely sucks!! While I can't dispel your worry, nothing can, please try to take comfort in the knowledge that you have a great medical team that are immediately addressing your issue. I basically had to slam my fist on the doctors desk and demand action.....and that after a positive diagnosis! The very worst part of this is the wait. Once you get conclusive results (good or bad) this awful torture of waiting ends. Granted you'll be on to a whole new set of feelings, but you're strong and will get out the other side intact if your results aren't what you hoped they would be. During my very long tortourous wait I finally came to the conclusion that I was wasting precious time worrying, and that it wasn't going to effect the results or make me feel better by continually thinking about it (though it's impossible not to at times). It was going to be what it was going to be. I think I got sick of the worry and decided to move on, at least until I got word either way. You do what you have to do to get through this. Cry, yell, freak out....but also temper it with some self care and pampering. Be selfish, this is the one time it's ok. Your husband will just have to lose sleep along with you....you're putting the kids first (I did this too and its hard not to show the terror). I'm sure he is just as scared and is happy to be there for you...even at 3 am. Don't feel guilty about his sleep loss....this is the 'for worse' part of the vows you two took, and I'm sure you'd do the same for him. I guess what I'm trying to say after all this rambling I've just done is make the point that yes it sucks, yes it is torture, but you WILL get through this....this portion of investigation does end. Until it does vent your heart out here on the boards, you are not alone as we're all here for you. Keep us posted please, we really do care and know exactly where you're at right now. Big hugs!