Wire localized biopsy vs. stereotactic biopsy?

neujess

Diagnosed with microcalcs & ALH.

Give it to me straight ladies- how is this vs the stereotactic vacuum biopsy. I had quite a traumatic stereotactic (on the table for 2 hours, panic attack and hematoma). If this going to be easier? How does it work? Sounds like I have to stand up and be awake which scares me after what happened last time.

Thank you!

Oscarmom355

I can only give you my own experience recently. I needed a stereotactic biopsy, made it on the table 5 minutes and couldn't take the pain in my back and hips. I have osteoporosis that doesn't help. I told them forget it. My Dr got me a surgeon, had the biopsy 10 days ago. Dcis. Lumpectomy yeterday. Both under general anesthesia. No pain, no bruising, barely need tylenol. I just prefer to be knocked out

Icietla

There is an injection of local anesthetic, then an injection of colorant into the suspicious area. Then the wire is placed. Then there is a mammogram check to make sure the wire is correctly placed. Then there is the surgery under general anesthesia.

candles1

I've had surgical and stereotactic biopsies. Surgical is the gold standard. Two of my stereotactics failed (missed the calcs) and had to be done surgically. I highly highly preferred the surgical biopsies. They can get the whole lesion and the diagnosis is more certain.

neujess

Thank you for the replies ladies. I guess I am most worried about not being put fill under and the wire insertion. My dr says she only does a twilight sleep. Is that not normal?

MelissaDallas

You will be awake for the wire placement, because it is done with mammography guidance. Mine was inserted with me sitting in a chair. It didn't hurt.

MTwoman

neujess, every time someone is put "fully under" sedation, there is risk associated with that. Twilight sleep or conscious sedation has a lower risk. I had 5 surgeries in one year because I had a pretty large hematoma after my lx. They wanted to see how I healed, so didn't want to place my TE when they ended up having to do a mx. So I had, lx, mx, TE placement, exchange surgery and then final plastics work. I did end up with some lasting effects (mainly word finding problems, although my processing speed also seems diminished and sometimes I think I don't retain information the same), so I am grateful at being able to avoid any unnecessary sedation. The risks are real and repeated exposures will increase the risks.

LisaAlissa

In addition, surgical biopsies (usually) result in more scarring. The more scarring, the more difficult future screening is. And the more likely you will need biopsies in the future to distinguish scarring from something worrisome.

There really are very good reasons to use the least invasive biopsy method.

HTH,

LisaAlissa

neujess

Thanks Melissa- the more I read, the more it sounds like the awake portion is not a big deal

MTwoman- Thanks for responding. Yes, I get that. Just worried I guess about another panic attack, but as long as I am partially sedated it will be fine.

Thanks LisaAlissa- definitely. I don't have large breast to begin with and since there are 2 areas I am sure the scarring will be significant. Glad they did the stereo first

neujess

Man, that was so much easier than the stereotactic! Thanks for all the feedback