3 Biopsies yesterday - Waiting for results.

Paisley2916

This is my first time posting to any boards. Totally new to this. Here's my story so far. Last Monday I had a diagnostic mammogram due to a lump I could feel in my left breast. After pictures, more pictures, and ultrasound, the Radiologist told me that the lump looks like cancer, plus I have suspicious microcalcifications near the lump that needs biopsied, plus on top of that I have a highly suspicious solid mass in the right breast as well. I would need 3 biopsies. Needless to say, I was completely beside myself. Not only did I have more than one suspicious area, but now both breasts were involved. Once my test results posted to my online account on Wednesday, I was able to view them in detail - even scarier to read them with all of those big medical terms that I don't understand. I sent them to a family member who is an oncologist. He agreed that it is cancer and told me I needed to see a breast surgeon and have an MRI done to get more detailed information since it is close to the chest wall (in addition to the biopsies). On Friday, I saw my gynecologist and asked her to remove my Mirena. We also talked about my results and she agrees that it is cancer - probably in both breasts and she is concerned about my lymph nodes under my right arm (they are enlarged). She also told me that since I am fairly young (42) and pre-menopausal, that sometimes the cancer can be more aggressive - which I'm concerned it is since it is in both breasts and the lump is on the larger size (5cm x 3cm x 3.4cm). The ultrasound report said that the ultrasound likely underestimates the extent of that lump - so it could be bigger. I had two ultrasound guided core needle biopsies and one stereotactic guided core needle biopsy yesterday. I am hoping to get my results tomorrow, but I should know for sure by the end of the week. I'm feeling slightly better today now that the biopsies are finished and I've read and researched a lot over the last week. But, the last week has been extremely difficult for me. I'm amazed at the gazillion thoughts that are going through my head. Because 3 doctors last week all agree it is cancer - I'm expecting my biopsy results to confirm this. Can anyone explain to me exactly what the biopsies will tell me? From what I've read, I'll learn what type of cancer and how agressive it is, but is there anything else? Or can someone give me more details about what I can expect to learn from the results? I'm a little confused about all the letters, numbers, categories, etc. they use to diagnose and I'd like to understand what I am being told when they call me.

MTwoman

Paisley, I am so sorry that you find yourself here, anticipating a bc diagnosis. I am glad though, that you've had your biopsies and don't expect a long wait for your results. Your pathology report may or may not contain the information to fully tell you about the 'aggression' of the bc cells. (and they may actually be different types, which is uncommon but possible) So the pathology report will describe the tissue removed and where each sample came from. It will give diagnoses, like "Invasive ductal carcinoma" (IDC) or "Ductal Carcinoma In Situ" (DCIS) or "Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma" (ILC) or "Lobular Neoplasia (Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia)". If it is a malignancy, then you will also most likely get ER/PR status (- or +) as most labs do this in house. Some labs (mainly associated with large and/or research hospitals) do HER2 in house, but many send this out, so that may not appear at first, but be reported later in an addendum report. Depending on the lab and sending doc, you may have other markers that are tested for, either at the in house lab or sent out. The report will also give you the grade of the bc cells. These are 1, 2 or 3; which correspond to how disorganized the cells look under the microscope and relate to how likely the bc cells are to grow and spread. 1 is well differentiated and 3 being undifferentiated cells (more aggressive). But the grade is only one aspect, not the entire indicator of aggression. HER2+ bc is more likely to be rapidly growing, and used to be a very difficult to treat type of bc. Once Herceptin came on the scene, that has changed. The Stage of bc (I, II, III or IV) is not typically given until after surgery is complete as that has to do with both the size of the tumor and whether there are node involvement etc. Sometimes, a larger tumor may contain areas of DCIS, so you could get more than one type of tissue described in your report.

We are here to help you, please let us know what you need.

chronicpain

One step at a time, so sorry you are here, it is scary and overwhelming, we know. Your doctors will answer more for you when they have the biopsy results, and here is a link to starting navigation of this forum for newbies:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/131/topic...

Moderators

Hi Paisley,

We're so sorry you're here and worrying, and we are sending our best thoughts that all of this worrying in the end will be nothing, and your biopsies will come back benign!

However, to answer your questions, and as MTwoman has pointed out, your pathology report will offer different "pieces" of your diagnosis. For some easy-to-understand information on each piece of the pathology report, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's section called Your Diagnosis, which explains what each piece means for your potential situation.

Again, we're sending our positive thoughts your way and hoping you get good news soon! Please keep us posted on what you find out.

--The Mods

Paisley2916

Thank you for your responses. These forums are so helpful at this difficult time. Well, I got my biopsy results yesterday afternoon. All three biopsy sites came back as invasive ductal carcinoma. I was told to contact a surgeon who will order an MRI. I called this morning, and the good thing is they can see me next Thursday at the hospital and they have a special program for women under the age of 45 where everything will be done in one day. She said I will meet with the surgeon first and then if I need any testing, it'll be done at that time. Or if I need to meet with the oncologist, radiologist, etc - everything will happen then. I should also get the rest of the results of my biopsies at that time to find out all of the details of the cancer - which I still need to learn what it all means.....I'm really hoping all testing and all questions are answered next week so I can understand what exactly I am up against and what my treatment plan will be. At this point - is there another board I should visit through this website for support and to ask questions? I'd be interested in talking to women who are in or have been in similar situation as me - 40's with breast cancer in both breasts at time of diagnosis. Or to talk to women that have had double mastectomies - that will be coming in my near future.... thank you so much for any input you can offer!

MTwoman

I am so very sorry that you've joined our club Paisley! I am glad that you'll be able to meet with a team next week and get your bc particulars. Sometimes, the order of treatment is affected by those characteristics. For example, I believe that most Triple Negative (ER/PR/HER2-) bc and Triple Positive (ER/PR/HER2+) bc get neo-adjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery). If you have any doubts about their proposed plan, or they don't explain things in a way you understand or you just don't feel like you connect to them; you can always seek a second opinion.

There are several forums that you may want to check out. Certainly the IDC forum, there is also a "just diagnosed" forum with lots of info for 'newbies' as well as a surgery forum with lots of info on surgical options. There is also a young and diagnosed forum that you may want to check out.

sending you warm thoughts and gentle ((hugs))

Paisley2916

Thanks so much MTwoman. I appreciate the quick feedback and will certainly check out the forums that you have suggested.