Birad 5 waiting for biopsy

Anonymous

Birad 5 waiting for biopsy

rdeesides

Hello all,

Last Thursday I was taking a shower and felt a large lump in my upper right breast. It was really alarming because it was so large and I had never noticed it before. It was too late in the day to call the dr., so I had to wait until the next day.

I recently moved to where I am currently living and so do not have a PCP. Called my insurance and they recommended I be seen at urgent care. Went straight over and got right in. Dr could easily feel the lump as well, but didnt seem overly concerned, but still, got me an appt for a mammogram and ultrasound for the following Monday.

Had the mammogram and Ultrasound Monday. Ultrasound tech told me she didnt want me to wait for results so she called the radiologist on the phone and asked for his thoughts so she could relay the info. She told me he was recommending a biopsy and he didn't lik the way the tissue looked. It was a bit odd talking to the tech and not the dr., but I really appreciate that she took the time for that extra step. She advised that my dr. would have the results the following day and to call him to get the biopsy scheduled. Then, as soon as I got home I started researching. I am glad i did because I wanted to know what questions to ask.

DR called Tues morning (yesterday) and told me his office was making the radiology appt. I asked what the Birad score was and he confirmed 5. Mass is app 2 cm, with the ultrasound not showing anything remarkable in the anxillary. (paraphrasing as I dont have the results in front of me). Radiologist also recommended surgery appt. Biopsy is scheduled for this Friday. Will take 5-7 business days for results. Surgery consult is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Questions are:

1) Is it weird to have a surgery consult when I wont even have results of biopsy back? Or is this somewhat "normal"

2) Isn't 5-7 days long for results? Maybe I should call and see if I can get faster results somewhere else?

The back story to all this is that I am about to lose my job and insurance. I have until Jan though, so that should get me through surgery etc... On top of all that, my husband just got laid off last month. Stress and anxiety dont even describe how I'm feeling right now. I am beside myself.

Any thoughts or encouragement are most appreciated.

Rebekah

Tappermom383

Welcome, Rebekah. So sorry you find yourself here but you've come to the right place. The wise women here have gotten me through so far.

From my experience, the answers to your questions are no and no. I had my screening mammo, then a diagnostic mammo and ultrasound, then an MRI. At that point I was referred to a surgeon who reviewed all the films, examined me and ordered the core needle biopsy. BTW I went from a BIRADS 0 to a 5!

It took a week (5 business days) for the biopsy results. That was the longest and hardest week of my life. By the time I got my diagnosis, I was almost expecting it.

If you haven't already asked for them, get copies of every report so far - and in the future. I put all mine in a notebook.

That's terrible about your jobs. I lost my job in the midst of all my testing but fortunately had gone on Medicare so insurance wasn't an issue. I marvel at what we can handle!

Best of luck to you on Friday. I'll be hoping for benign results. I had four benign excisional biopsies in the 35 years before my diagnosis.

Come back with more questions and keep us posted on how you're doing.

MJ

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gb2115

yeah, everything they are doing sounds fine, and appropriate with time frames. And seeing the surgeon earlier than later means you won't have a longer wait once the results are back. Hoping for good results!

rdeesides

I had my core needle biopsy on Friday and am happy to report that it was no big deal! Virtually painless and definitely less painful than a filling at the dentist. Now I wait. I got a prescription for Xanax and that has helped me get some sleep. So, I'm just hoping I can tackle this no matter what happens.

If I don't have results from the biopsy by the time I have my surgery consult, what will we talk about?

Also, any advice on how to assemble a team? Will I need an Oncologist or can my PCP be the main point of contact for my care? I have some other gastro issues as well, so I want to make sure everything is taken into consideration.

Thank you for all your support!

Rebeka

MTwoman

rdeesides, I had my surgical consult before I had my pathology. In fact, he was the only one who was really concerned about the lump. The radiologist thought it was "most likely nothing" and didn't biopsy it. He only gave me the surgical consult as it was protocol. So you will discuss what you know at the time (concerning mass, BIRADS 5, pathology coming soon) and talk through options. You can bring a list of questions and have a conversation/collect info. Although my initial meeting with my surgeon was brief, I did have a much longer consult once my path report came back.

As far as assembling a team, I would wait for pathology on that. If you need a team, you'll want a BS (breast surgeon) and perhaps a PS (plastic surgeon) depending on what type of surgical intervention you have (lx vs mx) and the size of lump vs size of breast. You'll most likely also want to set up initial meetings with an RO and MO (radiation and medical oncologist). Your surgeon may be able to recommend people at your initial meeting, or there may be a team at your treatment center, if you are close enough to one. (not sure where you're located).

rdeesides

Thank You MTwoman!

I am hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst. It is really is so helpful to have people to reach out to that have been through this. I know I can tackle anything, but making a plan will make it all easier.

I'm in San Diego, so there should be lots of options here. I think once I get a firm diagnosis I will made a thread if anyone else is currently undergoing tx here.

Hopefully I will have more info in the next couple of days. I'm assuming it is cancer since three aunts on my father's side had it. Sadly, I thought it only mattered if it was from your mother's side. I have mentioned this to other doctors and no one has ever seemed concerned. Makes me a little angry and a little sad because if someone would have told me I may be at high risk I would have been more vigilant. :-( Fortunately, all three aunts lived long lives, well into their 80's. So, I'm hopeful.

Rebekah

MTwoman

Rebekah,

you could still undertake genetic counseling to better understand your ongoing personal risk (especially if you do get a diagnosis). Each of us has her/his own personal risk profile and treatment options should be discussed with this in mind. What I mean is that, each person has a certain level of risk of recurrence (based on their age, tumor characteristics, genetics etc) and their various providers should discuss any treatment option in terms of the risk reduction that it conveys. For example, each treatment carries it's own risks (that could also be increased by someone's pre-existing medical conditions or age) and these risks should be outweighed by risk reduction to be worth considering. There are tests that can be given to determine if the benefits of chemo outweigh the risks (for example), so you can make decisions based on your own personal risk as well as your risk tolerance and other personal preferences. These types of discussions (and any additional testing) is what you'll want to have with each member of your team so that you are fully apprised of your options, their risks and benefits. San Diego should have plenty of good choices for you and creating a thread (if you end up needing it) should get you good results. Good luck!

MinusTwo

reedecides - for docs in San Diego, I recommend you ask Whippetmom. She is in So Cal but keeps a list of surgeons & plastic surgeons around the country. (If you can't find her to PM, you can post on Breast Implant Sizing 101.

Before I even had the final biopsy, I made appointments & met with a breast surgeon, a plastic surgeon & an oncologist. I wanted to be ready to roll and wanted be comfortable with ALL the docs before I started. BTW - I interviewed two of each before my final decision. Good luck

rdeesides

Thank you MTwoman, I do think genetic testing is in order and I plan on discussing this with my doctor for sure.

MinusTwo, I'm glad you mentioned you had a team in place so quickly. I think I will reach out to Whippetmom now to get her thoughts on Oncologists. While I dont know the surgeon I am consulting with, I believe she is the director of the Breast Center at a research hospital here, so I feel really good about her. Probably she will have some recommendations too.

I only just moved here recently so have no PCP or even dentist, but working on getting all that squared away now too since I know I will need to get things in order if I do need chemo.

Should find out soon. Will keep you posted.

Rebekah

ML1209

rdeesides- so sorry you find yourself here and the stress of jobs and insurance surely do not help. You will find that everyones journey is different. I found my lump, called my OBGYN and she scheduled the mammogram and ultrasound. From there I was referred to a Breast Surgeon Oncologist. He did the biopsy. It was determined that chemo was needed first, so he referred me to a medical oncologist for that part. Have had my surgery and now gettirng ready to start radiation. I had the genetic testing since I had an aunt with BC and my son had cancer as well. It was all negative. Hopefully your report will be back prior to your consult. Prayers and best wishes. So many amazing ladies with lots of wisdom on this site.

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rdeesides

ML1209 - Thank you for writing to me. My lump is also 2 cm, so I am hopeful that my tx and genetic results are similar to yours, though one never knows, so I'm just going to try to go with whatever comes my way. I am mentally noting the upsides of all this, and focusing on the positive. I'm not normally a super cheery and overly positive person, but this experience is showing me the happiness in the every day moments in my life. :-)