Core needle biopsy

Anonymous

Core needle biopsy

Anxiousam1974

Hello...

New to this forum.

Last Tuesday I went for a rountine mammogram and ultrasound. Didn’t think any of what transpired would happen.

My mammogram was completed and I was sent over for the ultrasound portion of my examine. The tech ultrasounded my right breast with no problem and then spent an enormous amount of time on my left. She kept looking up at my mammogram, that was displayed on a screen in the room, and then asked if I had ever had any surgeries on my breast. I knew she had found something. She then stepped out of the room to grab another transducer and continued imaging my left breast. She eventually left the room and the radiologist followed her back to tell me...”you have very dense breasts, which makes it difficult to image. There is a lesion in your left breast. I’m unsure what it is and you have a 50/50 chance. We need to obtain a biopsy. Please schedule an appointment before leaving.” I sat up from the ultrasound table in shock. The technician probably saw my shock and said, “it’s a small lump with what looks like no lymph node involvement.”

I stopped at the desk and the receptionist gave me an appointment for that Thursday. I was making the appointment not really listening to anything that was being said. Thank god they gave me a printed sheet on what to expect from the biopsy and when to to show up for my appointment.

On Thursday I went for my biopsy. The radiologist didn’t give me much positive feedback. He again said he couldn’t say what was seen on imaging, and that was why the biopsy was necessary. He took four core needle biopsies. My lesion is located in the 11 o’clock station of my left breast. Again, the staff were all very nice. They provided me with juice after the procedure, but as far as reassurance they couldn’t provide any. I left that appointment not remembering when to take the outer dressing off. When I could have a shower and when I could remove my steri-strips.

It has been 4 days since the biopsies and I am literally going out of my mind. I go from thinking it’s nothing...I am a healthy 44 yr old with no family history...80% of biopsies come back negative. Then a few minutes later I am considering how likely a diagnosis of DCIS is, as that is apparently the most common type of cancer. I am perimenapausal and if my biopsy comes back positive for cancer it will most likely be hormone receptive and therefore they will likely have to put me on medication to decrease my estrogen levels obviously throwing me into an abrupt menopause. I am single, never married and the thought of a journey through a cancer diagnosis will be very difficult for me. I am scared and I just need to know that I’m not alone.

Has anyone ever been told by their radiologist that they have a 50/50 chance? And if so, what was the outcome? Am I thinking way too far ahead? Am I putting the cart before the horse? I am so anxious awaiting the results.

Thanks for any feedback you guys can provide.

Moderators

Hi Anxiousam-

We know how scary is it waiting for test results! It's hard to think about the worst possible outcome, but as you said, the majority of lumps turn out to be benign. We're thinking of you and hoping for a good outcome, please keep us posted on what you learn!

The Mods

Dhbbfh1999

I feel your pain and I am so sorry you are going through this. The waiting is absofreakinglutely maddening. Just went through this twice in the last six months, one worry on the left the first time, then the latest on the right this time. Everyone giving me advice; stay busy, quit reading things on the internet, yada yada yada. I seriously felt like, one of the days that I was off before anyone called me, that all I did was sit and stew in my house and accomplished NOTHING. I had diarrhea for three days from stress. All I am trying to say to you is that you are not alone and I understand how hard this is. Please keep us posted. {{HUGS}}

blah333

They should have been able to give you more information about your circumstances. 50/50 seems so casual to say. Did they give you a BIRADS rating? There are several kinds of lesions. If it was DCIS they would say they found some calcifications (most likely a cluster). I don't think a lump/lesion would present itself as DCIS, although some DCIS can cause a lump if it is extensive enough (mine did/was palpable). I would not jump to conclusions. Not everyone needs to go on hormonal drugs. I had DCIS and "just" got a mastectomy. You can also opt out of hormonal drugs. I see many posts here where women take 5 years of Tamoxifen and it still comes back. I'd rather take my risk than deal with side effects. I had to wait 18 days between my mammogram and biopsy results/diagnosis. It was the worst time of my entire life. On second thought, before my biopsy they used the phrase 50/50 chance which shocked me... although later I found out they had me at BIRADS 4C which is more like an 80% chance. They showed me my mammogram beforehand - the constellation of clusters and I had a feeling I was fucked..... even if you receive bad news, please realize it does get better. I was 35 when it happened, also single etc. Try to worry constructively if you must worry. Prepare your mind for possibilities but hope for the best. Keep us posted.

Seewee7

I have lump so got mammogram and ultrasound. Radiologist was quite anxious almost running into room. Saw surgeon today. Thought was getting biopsy. Instead she did ultrasound then told me I have cancer. She said she is certain. Biopsy tomorrow breast and one lymph node. I’m still in denial. I guess I want to see biopsy results. Ultrasound by radiologist said 4.2 cm and she said 10 cm. Mammogram was birad 4 but read highly suspicious. No letter by the 4. I am divorced with 17 year old son going to college out of state in fall. I completely understand what you feel right now as we are both anxious to get definitive results. Hang in there

Vonnie75

I am sitting here in a daze, waiting to do my biopsy next Monday and then a week wait until I can meet my surgeon. Really thought everything was all right as nothing seen on the mamogram but as the surgeon could feel the lump he ordered a ultrasound. That's where it showed up and has been given a BIRAD 4C. I am out of my head with worry, live on a different continent to my family. How do you cope with the waiting?

footloose

Vonnie75,

I understand your anxiety and fear, but worrying is only using up energy and time, wait until you get some results. Then you can research answers and feel more in control. It is hard to do but it does allow you to go on day to day.

Best wishes for good answers.

footloose

dear anxiousam1974,

you are not alone. As you see on this site there're many of us who have been through it or are going through it.

The waiting seems the most difficult but then there are all the questions...

Wishing you the best outcomes, Keep in touch with us.

SSM

Anxiousam1974

hello everyone...

Just wanted to thank all of you for your support. Wanted to let you all know my results came back as benign fibrocystic changes. I am so happy and the dark cloud has been lifted. I slept for the first night in 5 days!

I feel sad though...reading all your stories,and the struggles with not as good outcomes. I really feel for you all. I never told you this in my previous post...I am a registered nurse. I feel this entire experience has increased my compassion toward breast cancer patients. Although I don’t usually nurse lumpectomy and mastectomy patients, as they go thru day surgery, I certainly have a way better understanding of what you folks go through. I understand now how patients feel when they are awaiting a pathology result.

I wish you all the very best. If you do have breast cancer, and have to have surgery, just know that there are a group of really wonderful nurses at the start of your journey to help you through...I know, cause they are my colleagues.

I don’t know whether being in the medical field made my anxiety better or worse but I made it through! I am an anxious person normally, so if I can make it so can any of you guys. Just remember...one day at a time and keep busy, think positive and even pray if you have to.

Thanks again for all your support. xoxo to you all

footloose

Dear Anxiosam,

Congratulations! Always nice to hear of good results! Take care and keep doing the regular SBE.

beep7bop

 because I am in the same place you just were. march 7 biopsy  glad you got good news

beep7bop

I have posted in other area on board but just saw where I was here at one time. My core biopsy was positive for IDC, I am having double mx on April 1. I am wishing for better outcomes for everyone else.

urbanfarm

Oh the wait is so frustrating and draining. I had my yearly mammo last week and then they said i need an ultrasound. Then radiologist said he saw something small in my left breast (dense area) and wants a biopsy to make sure what it is. I called my dr to have her tell me her opinion on the results he sent her. She said its a small pea size lump (about 7mm) thats solid but is by itself and has no blood supply to it. She didn't say if it was or not but that is why they want a biopsy to make sure. I did feel better after i talked to her but still i need to wait till friday for the biopsy and then wont know until next week!