Waiting on Biopsy results Nerve racking

53nancy

Lissaidell, it is also new to me. When I asked the surgeon before the biopsy and mentioned options for the future, he just told me not to worry about that right now, that we must get through this first. It is too bad there are such long waiting periods between appointments, and having to wait for results after the biopsy. Some reading I have done indicates some people wait three months or more, so I hope I fall within the six week period. I definitely would opt in future for MRI or Ultrasound in future, as I have read so much about mammograms actually being the cause of spreading cancer cells. I have read about Thermology but apparently it is illegal in Canada, and who knows what costs of having it done in the U.S. would cost. Something to definitely look into when I know more. Hope you get your report soon and keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Lissaidell

makeuplover thank you so much!! I wasn't sure if this was normal. My last biopsy was an aspiration this one was a core needle.

Lissaidell

53Nancy wow 3 months. I would go absolutely crazy waiting that long. Mine is only a 3 day wait. Well technically 5 because it was done on a Friday. Guess I shouldn't complain. Lol. I'm praying you get good results!! Keep us posted

MTwoman

53Nancy,

Sorry your concerns have gotten sort of buried in the ongoing OP's post. Let me try to answer some of them. Hopefully others will come along to answer the rest.

Is it possible that microcalcifications were present before but not seen because of breast density? I believe that is possible.

I have seen comments that, even though patients were told the area was considered contained, a mastectomy was suggested. I'm not sure what you mean by "contained". If you mean Ductal Carcinoma In-situ (meaning hasn't yet become invasive disease, i.e hasn't left the duct) then yes, I am one of them. The reason that mx was recommended for me was that after lx for a palpable lump, I had an mri that identified 2 other areas of concern in another quadrant of my right breast that also turned out to be dcis. Multi-focal/multi-centric dcis frequently comes with the recommendation for mx.

Is it possible for SOME of the microcalcifications to be cancerous, while others are not? While there are both malignant and non-malignant causes for micro-calcs, I do not know if they are typically found mixed together in the same area of the breast. Maybe someone else knows that.

Are there options other than mammogram for breast scannning, as I have read so much about mammograms actually being the cause of calcifications spreading? Let me address the second part of your question first. Mammograms do not cause the spreading of calcifications. If they did, the majority of women would present with very large areas of calcs (as the recommended age for women to begin mammos has been 40 (or before with higher risk) and would represent years of them before being diagnosed); and that isn't the case. So that information is false. As to additional options for imaging, there are ultra sound (which is better at seeing specific types of 'findings' in the breast) and mri (which is very sensitive, but not specific to bc, so creates the situation where many b9 things need to be biopsied). It is typical, when a finding can't be well enough identified through mammography, to add ultra sound, as 2 imaging types provide better information than just one alone. When mammo+us can't make a determination (or can't see well enough through dense breast tissue) then an mri may be recommended. That is the radiologist's job, to determine which imaging technology is best for the task and to evaluate the findings overall.

53nancy

MTwoman, thanks so much for your information; it is a real help. I am sure the questions will keep coming, and it is wonderful to have a resource such as this available. The reason I chose to join was that it is hard not having anyone to talk to. I will not tell family and friends until I have a definite answer and know what it entails. At this time the only one who know is my husband, and we have no family living near us. If the results reveal cancer, then I will face the next step at that time. After two biopsies, both of which I could feel in spite of freezing and sedation, taking further steps toward surgery will be a hard decision. I love the support this website gives and I have everyone in my prayers.

Snazzyiron

Hi,

I am also waiting for 2nd biopsy and mammaprint results. I cannot stand the waiting. My surgeon has said I probably won't have surgery until the end of August. They have told me that I definitely have one tumor, but I don't know about the second mass. Has anyone else waited for approximately six weeks or more before beginning treatment? I do feel like I am receiving excellent care.

Thanks, Rita

Lissaidell

Surprise update. My Dr office called me a day early with my results although still confused. So my Dr office called and said the biopsy came back as a fibroadenoma not sure if I spelt it right. Anyways because I am high risk for cancer and because this is the 2nd biopsy they refered me to the tumor institute for high risk breasts. She said that just because this came back as a fibro it doesn't mean the hole thing is and they could of missed a cancerous part during the biopsy. So needless to say I am even more confused now and not understanding why they are having to keep a closer eye on it or why they think there may be cancer in it. Has anyone had this happen to them or anyone that could help me understand? My last biopsy was because of assymeteic linear calcification same breast just below where they found this.

mommakat

hi lissa, similar situation that you're in. My biopsy came back non-cancerous...but....they want me to see a surge line use there's so much going on in my breast that they fear something is "hiding in the bushes". It's a strange pace to be in. Hang in thwre

Lissaidell

Mommakat. You sound just like me. Never thought i woukd hear "it came back b9 but there is a chance that we didnt biopsy the right area where cancer could be growing." I always thought they call and if it's b9 they say your good to go or if it's cancer u proceed to the next step. I feel like its still unsure what is going on. Good luck for you also!

Brittgirl

53nancy.... I'm curious about you saying you"felt" the biopsy?!?!? Ughhhh I'm scared I will feel it also and I have an appt with my surgeon tomorrow! Not sure if they will do the biopsy or what his next step will be! Did it hurt?

Lissaidell

Brittgilr, i think we all feel it different. I know some people don't feel any pain. With both of mine they have been so painful even with the sedation. With my last one it hurt so bad they had to hold me down because I kept trying to put pressure on my boob to help with the pain. apparently that's not acceptable. Lol. I think a lot of it depends on the location of the biopsy. Mine left horrible bruises also. But I've read about other peoples biopsy and there's didn't hurt. I know you weren't asking me but I thought I would give my input about mine. Don't be scared to ask questions or ask for a sedation before, its just an anxiety pill. And they numb the area first. Don't be scared to tell them if you feel it also and they will numb you more. Good luck on your appointment tomorrow!!

mommakat

I know Lissa. I really thought it would be a more clear result, one way or another. Did you get an appointment with the tumor center yet? I've been waiting for my follow up with the surgeon forever it seems. I see her on 8/10 and I had my biopsy on 7/3. It's nuts. I've learned so much since then, and I completely understand how it isn't so black and white, and I'm actually hoping they'll want to do an excisional biopsy at this point. I don't love the idea of something "hiding in the bushes", and if I have to wait for a 6mo follow up, I can't imagine how crazy I'd be.

I'm just trying to mentally be ready for whatever they say the next step is. We can only control so much I guess.

Hope you get a follow up and more answers soon!

littlebee72

Sanzzyiron, I have been waiting for about 6 weeks as well.....just for results of all my tests. I have an appointment next week to discuss surgery options and who knows how long I will have to wait for the surgery. It is frustrating....I just want to get started so I can get it over with.

Brittgirl, my biopsy didn't really hurt, it was a little uncomfortable when they inserted the titanium marker (there was a lot of pinching and burning), but it subsided quickly. I was told to use ice packs and take tylenol, but I really didn't need any of those. I don't think I have an abnormally high pain tolerance, but I did have 2 c-sections, so this was a cake walk compared to those!

Lissaidell

mommakat they are supposed to be calling me today to schedule the appointment with a surgeon. I've been pme of those lucky ones who gets on right away and who gets my results very fast. I think it's because of how high my risk is for getting cancer. Ill let you know as soon as I hear from them. I don't think I like the whole something may be there that didn't get biopsied. Especially since its just above where they did the last biopsy for micro calcifications, those were grouped together heterogeneous, assymetric, and varying in density and those came back with precancer cells. So to me something seems a little off.

Rita and littlebee you are in my prayers for quick results! I'm sorry you've already waited so long to get the results and to move forward. Keep us posted

53nancy

Brittgirl, I didn't mean to frighten you. I was under local sedation, and could feel some occasional pain (just gritted my teeth), and as littlebee72 put it, it was more pinching and burning. I as not told about ice packs, and never thought about it but used Tylenol for the first four days. Bruising was totally gone in two weeks. I think what helps to make things easier is to try to keep busy with other things. I read a lot and that helps to keep my mind off it. Will be thinking of you and hope it is over soon.

Msjackiefan

hi there! Well a fibradenoma is not normally cancerous. Sounds like due to density they want to rule out other. Good so far! Have hope all will be well. we are here for you no matter what. )

Msjackiefan

Lissaidell,hi there! Well a fibradenoma is not normally cancerous. Sounds like due to density they want to rule out other. Good so far! Have hope all will be well. we are here for you no matter what. )

Lissaidell

hey ladies sorry I haven't been on in a few days to give updates. So I finally got to see my results and all it says is "fibroadenoma" and the ladies name who did the actual biopsy. I'm starting to think they didn't actually send a sample in. The lady said they took out 5 samples and in the report she states she only took out 2 samples and that she took it out right before the tumor. It also states that she didn't do a mammo after because of my age, and that I handled the biopsy great with no pains. She told me that she didn't want to do a mammo after because I was already in enough pain and she didn't want me to have to go through anymore pain. Not to mention they had to hold me down during the biopsy because of the pain and she didn't understand why I was having so much pain. Does this sound right to anyone? I know that when they do a pathology even if it comes back with fibroadenoma that there will also be other stuff on the results stating what it consists of. I now understand why my doctor called me concerned and said they may not of go a sample if there is cancer. I am so tired of them assuming things because of my age!! My family is not like what they think is normal cancer hit fast and hard and at any age not just an age they think it should be. How is this fair of them to do this or say that??

MTwoman

Okay Lissaidell, I know it's frustrating, but take a deep breath. It is hard to tell from your summary above (instead of the actual language used in a report) exactly what happened. It sounds as if you have a summary of the procedure, but perhaps not your pathology? Typically, the pathology report comes separately, names and lists the sites samples and then what was found in each sample.

re: " It also states that she didn't do a mammo after because of my age" that is because younger breast tissue is typically denser and mammos don't "see" well through dense tissue. It isn't "an assumption" as in 'we won't bother, she's too young to have bc', but an assumption that mammos aren't very useful in women your age.

It sounds like, based on your comment " My family is not like what they think is normal cancer hit fast and hard" that you have had genetic testing (family carries a genetic mutation) and that is why you were surprised at your initial pathology? If that is the case, and you're being closely followed due to your increased risk, then why not call your doctor's office to sit down and review the procedure and pathology and make a plan for next steps. Hoping your doctor can help give you some more answers!

Lissaidell

MTwoman, thank you! I have been asking fory actual pathology report and there not giving it to me. The report I saw literally only said "fibroadenoma". That's it which is what makes me think that maybe there wasn't an actual biopsy done. Also they were supposed to do a mammo after to make sure the chip was in the right place and to make sure they took samples of the right place. I had to have it done after my last biopsy also.

I am very high risk due to family history of different cancers. I had a genetic testing done I don't carry the brca genes but I do carry a gene for lynch syndrome. Because all of the older generation of my families have died of cancers there is none of them to test for the brca gene to see if its in our family. I have been closely watched every 6 months for several years because of abnormal cysts in my right breast and because of micro calcifications in my left breast. I also had to have my uteris and cervix out when I was 23 after bleeding for a year straight and stuff growing in my uterus. I have been a very high risk case since I was about 22. And now this lady who did this biopsy is saying that I should keep up with my mammo every 3 years due to my age. When I called they said they had no information about me being high risk or having a biopsy before which doesn't make sense because I brought all those reports with me to this biopsy. I've learned to keep a hold of everything because of how I get treated. This hospital has always treated me like this since I started having kids, and they had me down as a drug user in there systems when I had my last son. They won't allow him to leave the hospital until he had a bowel movement so they could test it for drug use which every time they've tested me or my sons poop it has always came back negative. I had a c section with tubal ligation with my last son and the only medicine they would give me was ibeuprofen which I know is not normal after having a major surgery like that. They even went as far as to send a psychologist in my room and accused me of being a drug user and saying they were going to take my kids from me and my husband. Let me remind you I had only been out of surgery (for about 4 hours) from having to have my baby taken out 6 1/2 weeks early by C section due to a extremely hard pregnancy because I had a vassel and placental previa, where during surgery they found that my placenta and blood vessels were triple the size the should of been leaving no room for my baby to grow. We didn't find that out until they were doing the surgery to get him out and they said if we would of waited 1 more day to get him out he and I would of died because everything was squished. I was in and out of the hospital my whole pregnancy due toy body trying to go into labor super early and I couldn't have him naturally because of the previas and how danger they were. 3 1/2 months before I had him I started gushing blood and my mother had to call 911 who took me to the hospital. The triage nurses told my Dr that I was never bleeding and I was just looking for drugs even though the paramedics told them how bad it was. But that triage nurse cleaned me up and insisted that I wasn't bleeding. My Dr was going to release me until my mom ran into him and asked him what happened to me and if they got the bleeding stopped. He said "wait you actually saw her bleeding yourself?" And she said "yes I was the one that called 911, she's staying on bed rest with me." He explained that the nurses told him I was never bleeding blah blah blah. They ended up hospitalizing me. They wanted me to stay until I was far enough along to have him taken out, i told him I didn't feel comfortable staying there after what they had already done. My mom lived right next to the fire station so I told him we would call 911 asap if anything happened and I assured him we were extremely close to the fire department so he let me go home with my mom. In the coarse of those last months i was having to go in at least 2-3 times a week to have my labor stopped not because I wanted it but because I had to have it. So needless to say after I had him and they sent the psychologist to my room and wouldn't give me meds I called my doctor and told him what was going on and how there accusing me of being a drug user and saying that I never had any pregnancy complications and was just looking for drugs according to the psychologist. He came right over to my room and talked to my husband and I and my husband told him the same thing. He went out and yelled at them and he brought me in some actual medicine to help with the pain of just being cut open and my tubes being burned. I told him about how they told me I wasn't allowed to take my baby home until he took a bowel movement to test for drugs. So he made it so he could keep me admiitted until the day they released him. He was such an amazing doctor!! So anyways sorry for the length I was just trying to explain my reasoning for why I'm having a hard time believing this said hospital after everything they've put me through and how many near deaths I have had with them and my children.

My family has literally been hit with cancer very fast. It is a very fast growing cancer that spreads like a wild fire. I've seen babies get hit with it all the way up to relatives in there teens, 20's, 30's and 40's. I have no blood relatives that have made it out of there 50's due to cancer. So yes it is scary for me when they say "oh your to young to get that." In my opinion cancer has no age limit!! I just started going to this hospital again. I moved away for several years and was getting taken care of very good and closely watched. Now I'm back here and though "I've been away long enough hopefully they won't treat me like they use to since I'm not a young 20 year old anymore." But I'm beginning to think I was wrong. I think im going to try and figure out how to get a second opinion from a different hospital. I've been ready on fibroadenomas and they usually take years to grow and I was looking at the last time I had my MRI done and it had only been 5 months from my MRI to this mammo and it has already grown that big. It doesn't make sense to me at all.

Sorry this was so long, just giving some ofy history for you to understand

MTwoman

Goodness it does sound like you've had a hard time. What I was trying to suggest were ways that you might be able to get more helpful information. You are legally entitled to the written report (not the patient letter that just states "fibroadenoma"), but if you're having trouble getting it from the hospital, maybe your doctor's office will be able to share it with you. I'd schedule a follow up appointment with your doctor to talk about what the written report says and what your concerns are given your family history and previous records. Getting a second opinion is not a bad thing, but you do need someone managing your care and follow up on a regular basis and that doctor would be a good person to have the discussion with. Sorry you are still not feeling good about your results!

Lissaidell

MtWoman thank you so much! You have been very helpful. I think I will schedule an appointment with me refering doctor to talk about it with. She referred me to the high risk breast doctors but they don't seem to want to take me because of what the lady who did my biopsy put in my report. Which is very strange to me. But I'm going to get ahold of my dr and talk with her about everything. I dont mind them diagnosing me with fibroadenoma I am just worried that, that isnt what is going on. This spot where the tumor is, is getting bigger and I'm pretty sure that fibro's don't grow that fast. But please correct me if I'm wrong and if you know anything about fibro's. Thank you again so Mich for all your help

53nancy

Not sure if I am doing this right, as not replying to a particular post. Got biopsy (done July 14/17) results today from my Dr, and this is how the diagnosis reads: Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma AND High-Grade Comedo Type Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. I have been Googling but can't find anything to tell me whether the Grade 3 IDC is In Situ or something that is spreading. I see the surgeon on Wednesday. Another line says: Tumor Focality: Single, and then Size of Invasive Component: 1.1 cm x 1.3 cm x 1.3 cm. Her2 neu Receptor Status: Negative for Her2/neu protein over-expression. ??????

MTwoman

Hi 53Nancy, welcome to BCO, although I'm so sorry you've had to join our ranks. I'll briefly answer your questions, knowing that others will come along and give you some more detailed answers. DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) by definition stays in the ducts and isn't invasive. The IDC or invasive ductal carcinoma is invasive, meaning it could have spread. IDC is commonly found together with DCIS, but the DCIS will not alter your treatment as any treatment for IDC will most surely take care of the DCIS. Your IDC will be the focus. Most likely, you will have more scans ordered (like a CT) to look at your lymph nodes or other areas of your body to see if there has been spread. Once they have those answers back, they can give you your stage, which also effects your treatment.

Her2 neu over-expression drives rapid growth, so negative means that your cancer cells are not over expressing HER2 neu. (That just means that you won't be receiving a targeted therapy that focuses on HER2+ bc.)

I would recommend that you join the IDC forum and post a brief description (as you did above) in order to connect to others with similar stats and to find women with whom you can discuss treatment options. There is so much knowledge, experience and support here. Please do let us know how we can help!

sending you gentle ((hugs))

53nancy

Thank you, MTwoman, for such a clear explanation. I see the surgeon on Wednesday, and he will likely tell me what the next step is. I can't help wondering if there could have been more cancer cells growing while I was waiting for the biopsy reports (a month) but guess I will find out soon enough. And again, good luck to all who are undergoing this kind of experience; I wish you all the very best of results.

53nancy

It has been a while since I was on here, and it has been a very busy time. I saw the surgeon yesterday and got GOOD results, in my opinion. Good news. Preliminary report because there is still one test to be done, but at this point the doctor is confident in saying Stage I, Grade 3, Node Negative (clear). Next step is Abdomen CT and Body Scan. I couldn't have asked for better.

Because of the Triple Negative and the high grade, I was expecting Grade III and hoping MAYBE IIB but Stage 1 means they caught it early. Lymphaticc System clear, but could still spread through blood. Scans will determine if it has spread to bones, brain, lungs or liver and I am hoping they are clear. I was going to say no chemo but now I have to rethink. It will probably be awhile before I see Cancer Care but referral is to be sent today. Thanks again for all your support.

How are all of you doing? I have you in my thoughts and am wishing you all the best. I hope things are going well.

Lissaidell

Hey guys its been a while. So I am hoping maybe some one can help me out here.. So I have the tumor in my left breast because well life and a lot of medical conditions came upon me and I haven't been able to do anything with it. Well on Sunday I took a knee to my left breast right where the tumor is, and I fractured several ribs, my lungs. Not sure all the damage cause my lungs r so swollen they said the xray won't show anything. So we have to do a CT and MRI. My question is does anyone know if trauma like this to a tumor can cause damage or anything dangerous to it? These doctors won't tell me they just keep saying "we really need to do more scans before we can talk about that." Thank you!!

Recap

Is the testing ordered meant to eval your lungs, your ribs, or your breast, or all 3? My impression of MRI is that it figuratively peels away and evaluates layer by layer by layer of whatever needs to be evaluated. I wonder if its for lungs, whether it will automatically also eval the breast layers first as it goes deeper and deeper? Or maybe you are on your side or tummy and it won't show breast? I hope it encompasses the whole kit and caboodle for you.

Lissaidell

@Recap. They are supposed to be checking all of it. Apparently everything is so swollen they can't get a good pic on the x-ray. I just didn't know if a tumor could actually get injured