Surgical Bx: can they tell it's benign while removing it?

CrowLuv

Hello all! I had a surgical (excisional) biopsy done a couple of days ago (Thursday, to be exact). I adore my surgeon, she is warm and funny and most of all, really good at what she does (she's a breast surgeon in the breast oncology department of a highly respected hospital organization).

When I was in recovery, she spoke with my husband - said the surgery went very well, and that by the looks of it - the appearance when she got it - that it "looks benign, but we have to wait for pathology before we can know for sure." (or something along those lines, not like he memorized it lol).

I was absolutely ecstatic upon hearing that, of course. My followup appt with her is Friday.

My assumption is - this is what she does - so if she says "it looks benign" by appearance at surgery, then it's most likely to be benign....so I'm feeling very optimistic.

Question: does anyone have experience or knowledge about how a surgeon can look at the appearance of a mass and pretty much tell on sight if it is benign or malignant? How can they tell?

Meow13

I would think it is possible especially for someone who does this all the time. But there really is no substitute for a microscopic analysis.

CrowLuv

Thanks, Meow (love your cats, btw) - it's definitely giving me a positive outlook on the whole thing. We shall see!

NJgirl2018

CrowLuv, I don't have an answer for you but wanted to say that I too had an excisional biopsy (on Friday) and my BS told my husband that the tissue "looked normal" and she would be really surprised if it comes back with anything. I don't know what they are specifically looking for, but it does seem like they have a sense maybe when they go in. I will be thinking good thoughts for you (and me!)--hope you are healing okay.

Elctrcldy

CrownLuv I just had my excisional biopsy on Thursday and the doctor told my husband that it went as well as it could or something along those lines. She never mentioned that she thought it looked “benign”. When I did my core biopsy, at the time she said “oh I think it’s benign” and she was right the sample did come back benign but also noted “complex sclerosing” with recommendation of removing the entire thing for testing. This time she didn’t mention that but I think she didn’t want to overstate something especially with something like complex sclerosing.

My doctor is also a positive ray of light and well respected. I trust her and trying to now wait and see. I think doctors don’t normally state something unless they have a good level of confidence of a diagnosis. I think you have a good chance here that they are right. Praying and hoping your doctor is right and the results are benign!