Waiting for biopsy results

Goraidders

I am a 43 year old woman. My husband and I have been married for nearly 25 years(in Aug) and we have one daughter. I have no family history of cancer of any kind. I have never smoked. Had to have a bipsy and now waiting. So not sure what to say. Have a million thoughts running through my head, but having a hard time putting them into words. So here goes:

Finally got around to having my "yearly" mammogram. I thought it had been two years, but it was three years actually. Was called back to have some follow up images done. They scheduled me for when they had someone on site to read the images to make sure they got what they needed.

I was not worried. I know a lot of people need follow up images to clarify something. And actually I just thought they had not compressed me enough to begin with, since this mammogram was quite painless. My only previous mammogram was extremely unpleasant and I was compressed enough it hurt. So I was expecting a more compressed mammogram, and a, "See you next year." That is not what happened. They took a couple images, and had me wait while they read them. Then took me back for a couple more. Then took me for an ultrasound. I was still not worried. But the ultrasound took a long time. Not sure exactly, but longer than needed for an all clear. That is when I started to be concerned. I adjusted my head and started looking at the display. There was an obvious spot she was trying to image just so. She had over 20 pictures taken in the side scroll of the monitor. It was strange because I could tell what she was trying to get a good image of, but I noticed another spot and wondered why it wasn't an issue. I did not see the difference between them. Eventually she finished, and I waited for the verdict. They wanted to do a biopsy. There are two spots that just need a 6 mo. follow up mammogram, but the third spot has them concerned. She said the two spots were "ratty" for lack of a better term. And they could just be debris. But the third spot looks different.

Here are the results of the 2nd mammogram and ultrasound:

Targeted ultrasound was performed in the medial right breast. In the

12:30 o'clock position 3 cm from the nipple, there is a circumscribed

oval hypoechoic lesion measuring 5 x 2 x 4 mm without increased

vascularity on color Doppler. This could represent a fibroadenoma, and

a six-month follow-up ultrasound is recommended to reevaluate this.

In the 3:00 subareolar region, there is an oval hypoechoic lesion with

increased through transmission possibly representing a cyst containing

debris. This measures 3 x 3 x 9 mm and may be within a duct. Six-month

follow-up is recommended to reevaluate this.

In the 5:30 o'clock position 3 cm from the nipple, there is an oval

hypoechoic lesion with slightly irregular margins measuring 8 x 4 x 7

mm. No increased vascularity is seen. Given the irregular margins,

ultrasound guided biopsy is recommended.

So I had the biopsy yesterday. Should get a call with results tomorrow, and then meet with surgeon next Wed.

I know that by far most biopsies are benign. But it appears to have some negative terms that point toward not benign. Specifically the irregular margins. I also know that taller than wide is not good. But do not know what order the dimensions are given. So does anyone know that. Are my dimensions taller than wide?

The really strange thing is I am not freaking out or scared. Even though I am giving myself a 50/50 chance. I am more worried about the logistics of treatment than the actual treatment. I mean missing work, taking care of myself and family, how will travel for treatment work, and how will it affect my duaghter who is a freshman in college.(She is going to a local university majoring in psychology, and she had all A's her first semester.) I am not sure why breast cancer does not terrify me. The numbers indicate even if it is cancer my survival rates are extremely high. And even though I have no family with breast cancer, I know a lot of survivors.

A couple other random non important thoughts. Why is surgery and further treatment listed as a side effect of a biopsy. A malignant diagnosis will lead to treatment, but does that really make it a side effect?

Secondly I was shocked that around 85 percent of people diagnosed with breast cancer had no family history of it. It seems contradictory to say your risk is greater if you have a family member diagnosed, but most people diagnosed do not have a family history. I get how the math can work that way. I guess I put way to much emphasis on having a family history. So those numbers shocked me.

Also of concern is if the biopsy comes back positive it seems to me the other to spots are probably going to be an issue at some point as well which might make treatment decisions more complicated.

Feels nice to be able to say this to people I don't have to worry about protecting. I mean I don't want to talk to much about it with my family because I don't want them to worry to much. My daughter said that this is a Friday problem. My husband said maybe its just a bruise or something. I had to be honest and say no it is definitely not that. Talking about it helps my brain work through it, but don't know if that helps them at the moment. I know whatever it is, it is. The diagnosis does not change what is happening in there. The diagnosis gives me the ability to "fix" it so to speak.

Oh well, I needed to put all this out there. If anyone made it through this jumbled mess thank you.

Kirakira

Well hello there!

You are exactly the same as me! 44 years old here. Non smoker. Went for my yearly mammo on Nov 29th (last one was 13 months prev) but this time they only did a 2D not a 3D as before.

Got called back Dec 5th for "more images". Went in this morning. This time a 3D and an US. I watched the US and all looked good. Few cysts but nothing to worry about. Then the technician goes out and comes back in with the radiologist. She's super sweet, pats my leg, smiles a lot and says she is sending me for biopsies! What the WHAT??!

I have microcalcifications that they are suspicious of. It didn't show up on the US, only on the 3D mammo which is why I didn't see it coming.

I immediately made the biopsy appt for Jan 11th. Can't get in any quicker. Now I am freaking out. She told me she is "pretty sure" it is benign. Then why send me for biopsy??!

The only thing I am clinging to now - I had major breast surgery 19 months ago (radical breast reduction) and I am clinging to the hope that this calcification is hanging around scar tissue from that. But the only way to know for certain is to biopsy the area.

I was in shock, and forgot to even ask what BIRAD I had been assigned. So I am trying to get that info now. That will tell me if she was just being kind and thinks there really is something wrong or not. But surely if she really believed there was something wrong, she would be getting me in much quicker for a biopsy?

Ugh! I am so with you. WORST time of year to be going through all this!

Goraidders

It is the worst. It is stressful not knowing. But the numbers are in our favor. And it is definitely better to know for sure it is benign than for her opinion to be pretty sure. I am thankful that all of mine has happened quickly. I went in for the mammogram on Nov. 17th. Now I have had the followup imaging, and the biopsy. But then again the got me in so quickly makes me worry a bit more. I know most of the time nothing is done quickly in the medical field. It is just the nature of the profession. So when they move so quick it concerns me. I had the follow up imaging done Friday, and the biopsy the following Wednesday.

Georgia1

Hi ladies. I am so sorry you are going through this right before the holidays. Gorraiders, I do not know the answer to your question about dimensions, but the odds are in your favor that third spot is benign. And Kirakira, microcalcifications are also common and non-threatening. This is one of the unfortunate downsides in the US; so much testing that scares the bejeesus out of people for no reason. So I hope you can do what you can to de-stress. Thinking good thoughts for you both.

Kirakira

Yes! So many people are saying to me Stay Off Google, but I'm actually finding it pretty empowering. If we are being sent for biopsy, we are at least BI-RAD 4 or 5. Even with 5, the chances of it not being cancer are still around 10-20%. With 4a, it's 87%, 4b is 61% and 4c is still 21%. And within those positive diagnoses, the vast majority are still for DCIS and LCIS which aren't even considered breast cancer any more.

How soon will your biopsy results be through? Do you know what BI-RAD you have?

Goraidders

I am at a Bi-Rad 4. I am supposed to get a call tomorrow with the preliminary results, and then meet the dr. on Wednesday to discuss them. Does the appointment mean they think it is bad news? I think they meet with all to discuss what is next even if benign. But not sure. I am so glad I do not have to wait long. I am not a patient person even under the best of conditions, and these are not the best of conditions.

I am a planner. And to me ignorance is not bliss. I like to know what I am facing. And I to feel better looking at google. I am trying not to get too far ahead of myself, but it is nice to see the prognosis is so positive even if it is not benign. I tend to get hyper focused on certain topics at times. I can go way to deep into research into what sewing machine I should get or what computer or whatever it may be.

Moderators

Kirakira and Goraidders-

We are sending you both good thoughts as you wait for your results to come in! Please keep us posted!

The Mods

KBeee

Hoping for benign results! Let us know

scott2017

I am a 47 year old with no history of Breast cancer that I know of. I Had my second biopsy in 2 years today around the same area. No mass felt the first time. This time I feel a small pea sized hard lump. First time was more of an inflammation. These are my findings from my ultrasound. Biopsy will take 3-5 days for results, 
<span class="redactor-invisible-space">I am not sure how interpret this, there was red surrounding the mass on ultrasound. 
</span>
Palpable Area of concern is designated 12 o'clock position, 14 cm from the nipple by 
 the technologist and 11 to 12 o'clock position, 12 cm from the nipple 
 by this radiologist. Corresponding underlying superficial finding 
 represents mixed echotexture hyper and hypoechoic mass with indistinct 
 borders. The central more hypoechoic like area of the mass measures 
 approximately 0.8 cm diameter with surrounding hyperechoic changes in 
 the tissue. This is similar in appearance to imaging performed in 
 July 2015 and corresponds to lesion of previous benign core biopsy. 
 Dominant fluctuating cyst is classified as a benign acorn type cyst 
 noted at the 11:30 position, 6 cm from nipple measuring 0.7 cm and 
 corresponds to a fluctuating finding mammographically. The soft 
 tissue axillary structures appear within normal limit.
<span class="redactor-invisible-space">
</span>IMPRESSION: BI-RADS Category 3: Probably benign finding. <pre>
 1. Palpable area of concern in the high near 11-12 o'clock left 
 breast represents previous area of benign core biopsy in 2015. The 
 patient has continued complaints with question of more evident 
 palpable finding. Due to questionable changes, rebiopsy of the area 
 is recommended. 

 2. Mild fibrocystic changes. 

 RECOMMENDATION: Tissue diagnosis of palpable mixed echotexture mass 
 of concern in the 11/12 o'clock left breast, 12 to 14 cm from the 
 nipple. 

 The results and recommendations of this report were discussed with 
 patient at time of evaluation. Risks and benefits of the procedure 
 were discussed with the patient by the physician and permission for 
 the procedure was granted. The patient has been scheduled return for 
 left breast ultrasound core biopsy (pending orders from the referring 
 physician). 

Brittgirl

gorraidders

Just checking to see how your doc visit went? Hopefully you will have Gotten B9 results! Keep us posted!

Goraidders

Got my results back. It was B9. It was diagnosed as sclerosing adenosis. So follow up with a mammogram in 6 months. Didn't get to talk with the Dr. I had an appointment, but he was so far behind the nurse said she was going to cut me loose.. That he was confident in the results, and wanted to see me in 6 months. I kind of wanted the face to face with the Dr. Thank you all for your thoughts and encouragement it made the waiting much better. My thoughts continue to be with many of the individuals who have shared their stories here. I read so many that it is not possible to name you all, but I am thinking of you. I hope Kirakira your results are B9 as well.

Silbar

I'm so glad you came back with the great results. It's nice when people update with their results. Always good to hear when others get a B9 result

scott2017

I have not received my results yet. Hopefully tomorrow. The waiting is so hard. I'll definitely post once my results are in.

scott2017

I have not received my results yet. Hopefully tomorrow. The waiting is so hard. I'll definitely post once my results are in.