All up in her armpit

Mebechamp

So my mom had a follow up mammo and then an ultrasound. She's been told she needs a biopsy.

She said that during the ultrasound, they scanned a lot in her armpit and spent a long time on it, but never wound up mentioning seeing anything there. Would they have mentioned seeing nodal involvement with an ultrasound? Would they do more than a needle biopsy if that was the case? Is it more probable that they were just taking a really hard look to make sure nothing is there?

She's just trying to figure out if they would've said something about possible node involvement at this point if she hasn't even had needle biopsy yet.

Anonymous

Hi,

Sorry for all the worry-we all can relate. Techs can't comment on anything, ever, even if you ask them: the radiologists are the ones who read the scans. They may have directed to tech to scan her armpit area, but without an actual report, they won't know anything. The biopsy should reveal more. Let us know how it goes!

Claire in AZ

Mebechamp

Thanks Claire! I know techs aren't allowed to say. Just wondering if they HAD seen something suspicious on node if they'd mention at this point or wait till after the biopsy. Since doc had to talk with her about the follow up mammo and need for a biopsy, I figured they wouldn't wait to mention if they already saw something suspicious in a node. But maybe they don't want to freak her out...?

Ill give an update!

MexicoHeather

I think they would have said something. That's just my opinion. In other posts on this site, I have read about "Node Mapping". Also they could be looking for a "sentinel node" that they could biopsy later. This doesn't mean they suspect anything, they would just want to check.

I hope that she has a clear biopsy. I really do. You are so sweet to bring your concerns for her here to Breastcancer.org

Unfortunately my cancerous node was very obvious and they didn't even bother with node mapping -- They are all gone on the right side.

Anonymous

Again,, to disagree with Mexico's post above, they wouldn't have said anything. They simply CAN'T. The doc reads the report and then shares the info. Even if a tech had seen someone full of cancer, they'd have to keep quiet. It's a liability thing. Consider this-it might have been a new tech, who spent extra time on that area because they were having difficulty getting a good scan. The possibilities are many, and until you have the pathology report back, you can't second guess. I know the waiting is crazy-making...but speculation just brings added worry until you know for sure, and only the pathology report and an actual medical doctor can tell you what kind, how much, and where.

Claire in AZ

Mebechamp

I didn't ever hear of node mapping! Or sentinel nodes! At least I'm learning something. Thank you for the good wishes. Biopsy tomorrow and then hopefully a short wait to good news. I hope you're feeling well today and that your journey has gotten easier

Mebechamp

Oh that's what I meant in my last comment. The doc WAS there. A tech did the US and then doc immediately talked to her about the redo of the mammo and the mass they found with both mammo and US, but he mentioned nothing about the nodes the tech seemed to be scanning. I wasn't sure if that means nothing is there that they saw at this time, or if they don't want to freak my mom out and will wait until the biopsy is done even if the doctor who was with her did see something.

MexicoHeather

I'm feeling a-okay! I'm almost 2 years out. If your Mom is anxious, it would be okay to ask for a xanax before the biopsy. The doctor, even though he was there for the mammogram, just wasn't clear enough. My gynecologist pretty much turned me over to the surgeon, who ordered the biopsy, who then spoke to me through the oncologist. Follow the bouncing ball.

Mebechamp

Thanks ladies. It's cancer. Ductal carcinoma but my parents were to rattled to tell me if it's in situ or invasive. Not sure it matter in terms of next steps. It's very small regardless. 1.5mm. So maybe even it's it's invasive it doesn't make a difference in terms of treatment at this point?

She's has her first onco team soon. Lumpectomy in the next couple weeks and they will check nodes I guess. Then radiation. All of this is unless onco team decides otherwise since she doesn't have all her receptor results from biopsy yet. I guess that could all change treatment plans.

So stemming from that...Is it better to NOT have receptor based stuff or does that actually make it easier to treat? For example if it's estrogen receptor positive...is that easier to treat than if it's receptor negative? I hope that makes sense. I'm trying to learn terminology at this point. Also, how long is radiation usually? Or is that totally varied depending on person?

Please, any insight about this. It sounds so small. I find myself wondering how it didn't all just get sucked up in the biopsy! (Naive I know).

Also, if this triggers any questions in your brain could you let me know? Not only do I not know terminology, I don't know what info I'm missing. All I have is a broad type of cancer and a size. What should we be asking?

OnTarget

They should give you the full pathology report when it is complete- hopefully at your meeting. That will include Estrogen Receptor (ER) status, Progesterone Receptor (PR) status, and HER2 status. Mine also came with a Ki67 percentage that speaks to how fast the cancer is growing.

The oncology team will go over all of that with you and make a plan.

My next step after the biopsy was a genetic test. I have invasive lobular carcinoma, and I also got a bone scan, a CT scan, a breast MRI.

After all that, we finalized the surgery plans. I got a double mastectomy and didn't need radiation or chemo, so I'm no help there.