Experiences with biopsies?

emilynn

Have any of you had both a stereotactic biopsy and an ultrasound guided biopsy?

I had a stereotactic in May. At that time I was told that the breast seed localization procedure was much easier than that...but that procedure didn't go well and was intensely painful.

I am now being told I need an ultrasound guided biopsy...and not to worry because it is also easier than a stereotactic biopsy. After the last "it will be easier" advice from the doctor/nurses I am doubting what they are saying.

Can anyone compare the two? The only thing I can find online so far is "Compared with stereotactic breast biopsy, the ultrasound method is faster and avoids the need for ionizing radiation exposure" which doesn't tell me about the experience itself. I understand the technical aspects of the procedure itself but am more concerned about pain, being still, and those parts of the experience.

MelissaDallas

I've had ultrasound guided biopsies of both the breast and a lymph node in my axilla. I thought both were easy and no big deal. No pain except a slight sting when they started the numbing.

pegasus68

Yes, I've had both stereotactic (mammogram) and ultrasound-guided biopsies (as well as MRI-guided and surgical biopsies...). In my experience, the stereotactic was BY FAR the worst (and, much worse than the mammogram-guided needle localization I had to have for one of my surgical biopsies). All three of my US-guided biopsies were a piece of cake. No pain, had the option to watch procedure on the screen for one or two of them (but I wimped out and kept my eyes tightly shut most of the time).

emilynn

That does make me feel more reassured.

I will also keep my eyes averted and not watch. That was one of hard parts of the seed localization done with a mammogram. One of the needles went in top side to the bottom side and sat there for a while. It was hard to not look at the thing as it was right in front of my face. I also wasn't numb enough when the doctor put a second marker in deeper than he had planned originally which was the other issue that has scared me about other procedures.

Thanks so much for the comments.

rlmessy

I just had 2 US guides biopsies and for me the worst and it wasnt horrible was the first prick to get numbed. My breast are extremely dense so I could feel it push and prick a bit as the needle went through but the doc was numbing as she went along so it was not awful, I just knew it was there.

The one thing that helped me the most was getting comfortable on the table. Both times they used a bloster to keep me on my side and I asked for a pillow to go in between my knees.

The 2nd one was for a mass right below my nipple that would move every time I so much as breathed so they moved me around alot but finally got in a good position and it went off without a hitch.

emilynn

rlmessy...that is really interesting. Did you have an ultrasound before the US guided biopsy? I assume you did...but if yes did you have to be on your side for that?

I assumed that the procedure could always be flat on your back. I will make sure I get comfy first then! I have dealt with a herniated disc and don't want to have to be uncomfortable and still! Comfortable and still is much better! I will make sure to get pillows/bolsters if needed. Good advice!! Thanks!

rlmessy

emilynn...first mass was detected by screening mammogram which led to the US then the US guided biopsy all on different days. The US solo was on my back with just my arm over my head.

The second mass was detected with a breast MRI. Then I went for an US and an US guided biopsy on the same day. The US solo was on my back again.

Both US biopsies I was propped up on my left side facing the doc. I think they place you based on the best entrance to get to the mass. For the second one, it was under my nipple so we tried a few positions before the doc was confident she could get to it.

Both times I insisted on comfort because I was so tense holding the position that if I didnt support with pillows or bolsters I would have been in muscle or joint pain after.

MamaAvery

I was on my side also for my US biopsy. My lump is a mover, so the pressure the radiologist had to apply to keep it still for biopsy was one of the worst parts. I was sore for much longer than I anticipated. I am super bony though, so I assume that impacted it.

jerseytc

I have had both. The first was when I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in 2013 and that was ultra sound guided. It was done sitting up and was not painful at all The second was a stereotactic that I had just last week. Other than lying on the table for about 30 minutes, it, too, was pretty painless. I had myself all worked up about it having read some horror stories, and it was easier than I had imagined. It was done with a special mammo machine, and I got the results yesterday - calcifications are actually just scar tissue! Hope all goes well for you too!

emilynn

jerseytc Congrats to good news!

Well...I sure have learned a lot. I guess I just assumed if they could see a lump in an ultrasound with you on your back, that they would do the biopsy in the same position. I am glad I found out before getting there. I was surprised with my MRI as before I got there I thought that it was going to be without contrast...and I only learned that it was with contrast once I was getting signed in for the procedure. I do feel better if I have a better understanding on what is going on before I actually am in a procedure.

bkerber

emilynn, I had an us guided biopsy about 3 weeks ago. The worst was the numbing but it wasnt bad. Before the procedure I told them that I had had an aspiration back in the 80's and it was extremely painful! She told me not to worry as they had plenty of lidocane. If you need more, ask for more. I was on my back with a wedge under my upper back. Not uncomfortable and I do have a problem laying flat on my back. Good luck to you!

emilynn

I felt reassured enough that I talked to my breast surgeon yesterday and we are going to be scheduling my US guided biopsy....just with a different doctor this time.