Excisional biopsy coming up in 3 weeks

MamaAvery

Hello. I hope you are all well when you read this.

I have had a lump for 6 years that was always declared a Fibroadenoma, until it started bothering me, and I asked for it to be removed. Then my doctor ordered testing. (I think maybe it grew, but I’m not sure since with every child I nursed my breasts shrunk so it very well may not have. It is increasingly painful now with my hormone changes like ovulation and my period. It always was, but it has gotten worse. It also has gotten to where when my kids bump it, I push them away so I really wanted it gone so it doesn’t impact our relationship while they’re so small and sensitive.)

Both ultrasound and mammogram indicated a Fibroadenoma, thankfully, but due to the possibly changing size and pain a needle biopsy was recommended. I did that 2 weeks ago. The path report said the cells were consistent with an epithelial lesion and were concordant (matched) with the imagine and radiologists opinion. They still recommended I see the breast surgeon for removal since it was measuring 1.8-2.1cm depending on which machine was used.

I saw the breast surgeon today and she agreed to remove it since it is borderline the size where they tend to recommend removal and it is obviously seen/felt due to my lack of breast tissue to house the lump. The surgeon is super kind and very informative, so she definitely briefly covered phyllodes tumors at the end of our talk about surgery. I assume she’s not too worried about it, since she said there’s no need to take a wide margin now, but she did mention we would go back in soon if we needed to. I assume that’s part of the normal awareness information for an excisional biopsy?

I’m battling my surgery anxiety and the anxiety over the small risk of phyllodes tumor. My rational mind knows that the % are all in my favor for the excisional biopsy to match the needle biopsy. And I know that even if it doesn’t, the odds are still in my favor regarding malignancy. I wish I could make my whole self accept that.

Can anyone tell me what to expect or any tips for the surgery? I want to be as prepared as possible and I really don’t want to bother my family with the what if’s since it is hard on them and seems unfair.

Thank you

Ingerp

Excisional biopsies/lumpectomies are really easy surgeries. Many women don't even use a prescription pain med afterwards. I always treated myself to a few days of pain meds just because I had them, but they are really no big deal. I think I took 2-3 days of work off each time, but really didn't even need that. I really liked the little pads you could put in your freezer and slip in your bra, but other than that there wasn't any after-care required.

MelissaDallas

I agree with Ingerp. It was no big deal. In and out and home in a couple of hours. I was told to take the following day off and then was fine to go back to work. I took one pain pill after the surgery and then nothing but a few Aleve and an ice pack. Very little discomfort for more than a day or two. You'll have some lifting restrictions until your follow up appointment. I think you are in the "when you hear hoofbeats think horses, not zebras" area. It is pretty rare when they don't see anything concerning (especially confirmed by needle biopsy) that it has a different outcome.

MamaAvery

Thank you both for taking the time to tell me about your surgeries.

I really enjoyed your analogy MelissaDallas. I’m going to keep that in mind going forward.

The surgeon ordered bloodwork and all my CBC and metabolic panels came back normal and are consistent with where they’ve been the last 6 years. I’m going to hold on to that for positivity also. Hopefully, that’s a good sign that I’m doing well and need to just turn off the anxiety and focus on healthy things.

Thanks again.

emilynn

I also felt that the excisional biopsy was the easy part of the process...because you are asleep and don't have to worry about staying still or anything like during the breast seed localization or stereotactic biopsies.

I will say though that I was more tired than I thought I would be. I had never had surgery before, so I was told that it was just the after effects of sedation...but I was really tired even the day after. I took it easy for a couple of days and my mom came over to help me with the toddler and laundry.

Ice was my friend.

Sports bra that zipped in the front was awesome.

And I did use the prescribed pain meds the first day but didn't really need anything more than OTC stuff after that.

I hope everything goes well for you.

MamaAvery

thank you! I put in an order for 2 of the sports bras that zip in the front. My biopsy hurt more than I think is normal since I’m so small and the spring thing kept jabbing hard in my muscle/bone/nerve/whatever. Taking my bra on and off hurt for 2 weeks. No bruising, but the muscle pain was intense. I’m so ready for this to be done so I can move forward.

MamaAvery

Pathology report came in today and the results were only Fibroadenoma tissue. I’m so relieved. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to answer my questions and offer their experiences and support this last month and a half that I’ve been going through all of this.

emilynn

Glad to see that everything was okay MamaAvery! Such good news.

Hope you are feeling much better now!