Changes after needle biopsy

EllieRed

So I'm 30 now and about 2 years ago I found a small lump. I watched it for a while to see if it stuck around so about 6 months later I got it checked by my PCP who then referred me to an imaging center for an ultrasound. That came back as an oval, lobulated, hypo echoic, solid mass with some vascularity and BI-RADS 4a. From there I was sent to a general surgeon for a biopsy. Pathology for that came back as a fibroadenoma with stromal sclerosis and adenosis of adjacent breast tissue.

I was told to do 1 year follow-up imaging and went a little late, about 1year and a half this past September. That ultrasound showed the mass had grown slightly and now has several indistinct and obscured margins. BI-RADS 4 no subcategory. I was sent to a general surgeon and she didn't seem worried at all. The surgeon and radiologist are from 2 completely different facilities. Even when the surgeon did her own ultrasound she didn't seem as worried as the radiologist from the breast center. The surgeon did another needle biopsy in October. That pathology came back with "findings consistent with fibroadenoma and no evidence of malignancy." So I follow up again in 6months with imaging.

I'm happy about the benign results and that no atypical cells were found. But it has been about 2 months since the needle biopsy and I feel some changes. It almost feels like a second lump next to my original fibroadenoma. Also the area all around the fibroadenoma feels lumpy / thickened / ropy in a sort of wide/spread out perimeter around the original lump. It's hard for me to describe. Could this be part of the normal healing process post needle biopsy? I can't remember if this happened to me the first time, but more samples were taken this time. Also a clip was placed which wasn't done before. Can the sclerosis and adenosis noted on my first path report be what I'm feeling? Anyone else notice any changes after needle biopsy that cleared up on its own over time? I can't decide if I should go in sooner to see a doctor or just wait for my 6 month visit once everything has healed up. Thanks!

sparrowhawk

i believe if you feel any changes you should get it checked. I felt a fibroadenoma suddenly double in size. Apart from my GP, all the doctors I saw weren't concerned - it just looked like a fibro. I did have it removed and it turned out to be something else entirely - a phyllodes tumour.

I had a core biopsy and didn't have any serious side effects. Given that it's 2 months after I wouldn't say they're connected. I would really get it checked out. Best of luck to you!

Cleo77

I had something similar happen to me, in fact I am overdue for my follow up, but i digress. i noticed the lump that was biopsied seemed to change in shape and felt like it got bigger to me. i almost wondered if scar tissue was developing or something. i have a diagnostic mammo, bilateral, scheduled for tomorrow for a new lump on the other breast, so I am guessing if anything of concern is on the left, it will show up. I will still do my follow up with the original doctor though.

EllieRed

Thanks sparrow and Cleo for the responses. I did do some research and found that fibrosis/scarring is possible after a biopsy although I'm not sure how common / likely it is or how quickly it can form to become noticeable / felt so easily. Anyone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but that's the info. I found. I still haven't fully decided if I'll get it checked out immediately or continue my watchful waiting for a little bit longer. Cost is a factor as my insurance has me paying a large portion of the bill for doctor visits. Good luck with your imaging Cleo. Unfortunately mammograms aren't useful for me, my breasts are too dense.