Biopsy Results... waiting

Sam183

Had my Biopsy Tuesday 21st. Still waiting for my results (which I know can take a week to get back) I have played the games on my phone so much, and now cleaning my apartment to help pass the time. Feeling good, I have set it in my mind it’s most likely a Papilloma which is keeping me from going crazy. My Doctor said she thinks it’s a Papilloma, but that is NOT what my ultrasound and mammogram report say... But I know only the pathology report will tell us for sure... anyone else still waiting for their biopsy results?

neujess

I had mine on the 21st too. Waiting waiting...it sure is hard to keep it off your mind. Hang in there

Sam183

yes it is difficult. That’s why I have been playing games on my phone and doing house work. I wonder if it takes longer to get results if it’s malignant.... or if it takes about the same time no matter what. The lab mine was sent to, their website says 24-48 hour Turn Around Time for most tissue samples.

CrowLuv

Hi Sam! I hope this doesn't sound like I'm a creeper (LOL) but I have been reading your posts because it sounds like we have almost the exact same issue (lump under nipple area, vague-ish u/s report, possible papilloma, etc.). Only difference being my BI-RAD u/s is 4, not 4/5 like yours. So your worry over it is totally valid and understandable!

The ONLY reason I'm less worried is bc mine is 4, not 4/5 like yours - and I know they have to put 4 on mine for a Bx.

I see that you are waiting on your Bx results/report and I'm thinking of you and sending you all the best. I am going to "fave" this topic so I hope you will update here as soon as you know! Crossing all my fingers for you.

P.S. I see you're in Houston - so am I! I went to the TOPS Breast Clinic - and I still need to schedule a Bx (I've been procrastinating, ugh). I plan on going to MD Anderson, not bc I'm thinking I have cancer - but because - as I'm sure you already know - all the information about papillomas and how they (the breast specialists, radiologists, oncologists, etc.) approach it is MASSIVELY CONFUSING, to put it mildly! So I figure if I go there for the Bx I won't second guess any path report (that's my logic, anyhow).

Take care and pls update when you can!

apricotjam

I asked a friend who is in a lab about this, and those posted times are when they will have results by. It’s given as a range because they have varying amounts of work to do and their promised turnaround accounts for busy times A lot depends on how busy they are, who has vacation, etc. I had been told I would have mine within a week, and I had them in less than 24 hours, which from what I gather is unusual. When I told my friend she laughed and said I must have caught the perfect week with everyone there and no one having stuff to do. I wouldn’t read too much into the time it takes. So much is going on besides just your specimens.

Sam183

Another Houstonian AWESOME!! I went to The Rose Clinic. My doctor is one of the cofounders. I’m just so confused bc my dr said she thinks it’s just a Papilloma but that is NOT what my ultrasound and mammogram report said. So idk if she is just down playing it bc she doesn’t want me to worry. Mine is 1cm increased vascularity (has blood flow going to it) so idk. I’m still hoping it’s a Papilloma so I can get it removed and life can go back to normal. Just sucks, bc this weekend coming up is Memorial Day weekend, so they are probably closed Monday and not sure about tomorrow. I will definitely post my results as soon as I get them. I keep checking my patient portal but still nothing lol

CrowLuv

Sam, I totally "get" the checking and checking the Patient Portal. Those things are a godsend and a curse all at once haha. (I have to manage a few other chronic health conditions so there's usually a lab or imaging report floating around in the ether at any given time lol).

FWIW, my little bugger is also 1cm and also has vascularity - I thought that was a red flag too at first, but apparently it's not a "bad" thing in a papilloma, for whatever reason. DAMN those papillomas, they don't follow the rules, and the information out there is soooooo confusing!

Then they have something called "micropappiloma" (sp?), which of course has absolutely NOTHING to do with intraductal papilloma. And then you see all these highly esteemed medical journal research papers with contradicting opinions on them, where they are located, single or multiple, percentage/stats on if they up the risk for malignancy, blah blah blah blah - it's crazy-making for sure!

I'm so sorry you have the Memorial Day weekend looming ahead of you while waiting - I totally understand how maddening and anxiety-inducing the waiting game is. I'm really hoping you find out tomorrow - Friday (I think? I don't have my calendar in front of me haha).

Crossing fingers you'll hear TOMORROW. All the best, Sam - hang in there!

CrowLuv

Hi apricotjam - I totally hear ya on the wide range of time-frames on getting test results back. That goes for anything - pathology reports, imaging, labs, etc.

Years ago I would try to crack some kind of code or "hidden meaning" into wait times. Well, several years into my triple whammy diagnoses (when I was barely 40!) of RA, lung fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension (with some CHF thrown in for fun) - I have learned - FINALLY - that you truly cannot make any kind of educated guess on what the wait times mean. I've had 24-hour turnaround times, and one time it took over a MONTH. And then everything in between. GAHHHH.

(One other important thing: sometimes little things slip through the cracks. I don't mean that as a "scary" thing - because it's typically minor stuff, not path reports! I just mean if you have physicians in different specialties that aren't in the same system (like say, UT Health, Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann - and so on) always make sure every single one of them has every single bit of info, notes and records.)

OK so ONE more tip: if at all possible, develop a good rapport with the front desk medical office staff of any doctors you see, for whatever reason. When they can associate a name with a familiar or friendly face - it makes communication so much easier and less complicated.

Sam183

If I don't get the results today I'm going to have to make myself super busy this weekend so it can go by faster lol I will definitely update everyone when I get an update

Sam183

results are in. High risk Papilloma. Have to get it removed since it’s high risk of turning into cancer. Thank goodness it’s just nothing serious

Sam183

my results from my biopsy came back as High Risk benign Papilloma. A Subareolar ductal resection is recommended. I'm glad it's benign, now I'm just curious why is it considered "High Risk"? I thought Papilloma's were "harmless" for the most part. Also I'm curious about the subareolar duct resection process is. My mass is 1cm in/under my nipple. Will they have to remove my actual nipple? Why do they have to remove the entire mass and do ANOTHER biopsy?

Tried looking up "subareolar ductal resection" but it keeps bringing up "duct excision...etc" or other things that are not mentioned on my pathology report

Any insight is appreciated. Thank you

Salamandra

Great news! And I"m glad you got it before the long weekend!

Sam183

yes me too. Tuesday I go back to the clinic to fill out the application for county assistance. Takes about a week to get approved. Once it’s approved I’ll be sent to a hospital to speak with a dr about when to schedule my surgery.

CrowLuv

Hey Sam - Whew, thank goodness you got the news before the long weekend! Also happy it's benign!

I don't remember if you already said, but was your biopsy a needle or core kind, or something else? Not an excisional? For me, they said bc of the location of the mass (which sounds like exactly like yours) they can't do those, they have to go straight to excisional removal and biopsy. Did they not do the same for you?

I hate it that you have more hurdles to jump through, that sucks. Please keep us posted!

Sam183

CrowLuv she did an unltrasound guided biopsy. I go in Tuesday to fill out the application for county assistance (insurance) which takes about a week to get approved and then I can schedule to meet with a dr to plan my surgery. I’m curious as to what exactly makes the Papilloma “High risk benign Papilloma” and not just a regular Papilloma. And why exactly are they sending it off for more testing after they remove it... also curious as to how much they are removing (just the Papilloma or more like surrounding tissue...etc) says I need a subareolar ductal resection.

CrowLuv

Ugh more waiting games - so sorry, Sam! I have been reading every medical journal entry related to papillomas I can find - and all I can tell you is that my impression is that, while there is a lot of confusing info about them, the overall "general idea" I've gathered is that they really aren't much to worry about. I know that's much easier said than done, ha ha, especially given that we seem to have similar circumstances. Please know I'm not downplaying any concern - just sharing my impressions of what I've found with you, and I hope that helps.

I've connected with MD Anderson and will be getting a call on Tuesday to set up a consult/appointment. They are going to do their own workup/imaging instead of me going straight to surgical biopsy - and I'm very happy with that.

Anyway, sending good thoughts your way - do keep us updated here if you can! (and I hope you have a lovely holiday weekend)

Sam183

Sending positive vibes your way. I’m not really worried anymore, I’m just curious on the type of surgery I’m going to have to have. I will definitely keep y’all posted please keep me posted as well. Have a fun and safe holiday.

Eigna

hello everyone.

I'm new here. I don't know much yet. I went for a routine mammogram and was called back two days later to do an ultrasound. I went for my ultrasound and the report says that they are seeing a intrammamary nodule with irregular margins and probably a fatty hilum. I will be contacted from the hospital for further assessment and maybe a biopsy but they are not sure yet. I don't understand. How can I have a malignant nodule if they cannot see any tumor. Worried sick. My doctor says I have nothing to worry about. Anybody else have thiskinda of results? Please reply.

Salamandra

Hey Eigna,

It is called 'occult primary' when they find breast cancer in a lymph node or elsewhere but can't see a primary tumor. It's not common, but it does happen.

That said, try not to get ahead of yourself. It sounds like you don't know yet that the node is malignant, and it may well not be.

It can be super stressful waiting for results and updates. Do whatever you can to take care of yourself. If it's not a holiday weekend where you are, feel free to call the hospital to do your own follow up, including to ask to speak with a nurse or someone that could help explain the results to you. Hang in there!

Eigna

Thank you Salamandra for replying. Trying to keep busy. I’ll keep you posted.

MelissaDallas

It sounds kind of like when my imaging was complex cyst vs. benign inframammary lymph node. On biopsy it was a cyst.

Eigna

Hi Melissa. So was it benign finally the cyst? I’m just wondering if the margins are irregular can it still be benign?

MelissaDallas

Yes, and yes it can still be benign

Eigna

Hi,

Husto give you an update, I have another appointment for another ultrasound and hopefully then they will decide if I need biopsy 😔. Why another ultrasound? It seems they don't know what to do.