Did anyone here get a biopsy "unnecessarily"?

Alea

Anyone here got a biopsy on their own accord even though they were told that it wasn't necessary?

Did you regret it? Anything I should be aware of, like risks or side effects that aren't often mentioned?

LynnVB

Can you provide a little more information as to the circumstances of wanting a biopsy

Alea

Hi Lynn,

I have 2 hard lumps quite close to each other.

I did an ultrasound and mammography. Came back BIRADS 3 (PROBABLY benign). The report says those masses have less defined edges and are both less than 1 cm but they can't tell for sure if they are benign or not, because my breasts are EXTREMELY dense (Density D)

But due to my age (33) and history (No BC in family) and the fact that I have multiple masses, they say it's LIKELY benign. They asked to come back every 6 months for a new Ultrasound and mammography to check if there are any changes to the lump(s) until 2 years have passed to establish stability.

Here's the kicker: I know it's unlikely, but I personally know many women who were misdiagnosed. One of my best college friends diagnosed cancer at 28, no history either, spread to her lungs by the time she found out.

I'm being told to wait 6 months because it's long enough to see changes, but not so much that it will make a difference if it is indeed cancer. But I see so many people here to whom a 6 month difference would have made a difference.

(I know everyone and every type of cancer is different, but still).

It's not anxiety that bothers me. I can wait and forget it.

I just would hate to take even the smallest risk, wait 6 months, and find out that my wait caused it to advance. Or get another Bi Rads 3 over and over only to be finally diagnosed in a year or two when it's much worse.

MelissaDallas

Alea, it would be easier for people to respond to you in context as to what is going on if you would stick to a single thread and update it instead of starting new threads. That way everything is in one place and you don't have to keep repeating yourself.

Alea

I'm not sure how forums work, sorry. The last place I wrote this was a thread for DjMammo called "understanding your report" or something like that. I didn't want to clog his thread with my own questions, when there were other ladies going for his opinion.

Sorry to disturb. I'll figure it out on my own.

MelissaDallas

Alea, I'm not fussing at you. It is just easier for you.

ctmbsikia

I already had BC. My last MRI was a BIRADS 3. I'm waiting the 6 months. Last thing I want is a biopsy. You could also have insurance issues if you demand one over the protocol.

I do realize how scary it is and you are so young. When I first saw my results said "probably benign" I thought what in the heck does that mean? Medical people using words like Probably!!! Is it or isn't it right? Well I spent that night reading a whole study on BiRADs scores. I get it now.

Try not to obsess over it yet be mindful of any changes. I know, easier said than done. Good luck

LynnVB

I can certainly understand your worry. Did you discuss your concerns with your doctors?

Most likely it is nothing to worry about, like they said. It is difficult, but we do have to put some trust in the opinions of the doctors. As mentioned, a biopsy is not something you want if you don’t really need it.

Alea

Thank you ladies, I really appreciate all your answers and advice. In my case I don't even have health insurance, so far everything I did I paid for out of pocket.I'm considering my options and will try to avoid biopsy if not needed, but I will at least go for an ultrasound in 3 months instead of 6 or something.

cammie31

My suggestion:

Before you make any decisions about biopsies, if you don't have a breast specialist other than your gynecologist, make an appointment with one and see the specialist (they are usually breast surgeons). See what that doctor says. My breast surgeon has at times overruled radiology and asked for more testing (MRI, etc) and at other times agreed with radiology and advised six month follow-up.

She just recently overruled radiology and had them biopsy two spots instead of one. So I think getting a breast specialist, given that you have significant density and also two lumps is an expense that is worthwhile.

Alea

Thanks Cammie31 that's a really good idea and I didn't think of it! I'll try to find someone in my area asap.

Beesie

cammie, I agree that a second opinion can be helpful, but I would not assume that if a Breast Specialist disagrees with the Radiologist, that the Breast Specialist would necessarily be right. The Breast Specialist might be more conversative or less expert at reading imaging and might suggest what turns out to be unnecessary imaging or an unneeded biopsy. Not saying that is always the case, but when two doctors disagree, we can't know which is correct and which is not.

It's interesting that my breast surgeon, who for years has been the head of breast cancer surgery at a leading cancer-only hospital, always defers to the Radiologist when it comes to the assessment of imaging. That's the Radiologist's primary job; the primary job of a Breast Surgeon is surgery.

Alea, I read the imaging report you posted in djmammo's thread. One of your masses has the clear appearance of a fibroadenoma, which is a common benign lesion. The other two masses look very similar to the first except that the borders are not as well defined, which could be an imaging issue because of your breast density. Women who have fibroadenomas sometimes have several - that's not uncommon - and since your masses are otherwise so similar to each other, the conclusion of the Radiologist that the other two masses are likely to also be fibroadenomas makes sense. djmammo said that the conclusion was reasonable. He also said that "if there are multiple identical findings in a breast it is usually sufficient to biopsy one and make an assumption that the rest would have the same pathology."

cammie31

I agree with all of that - and I am coming off a situation where the radiologist and breast surgeon had agreed with each other, and I disagreed with both of them, and after discussion, the breast surgeon agreed with me and ordered a second biopsy, which turned out to be something that is not cancerous, but could turn into it, so it has to come out. So there is some element of “who do you trust” here but at least you usually have the opportunity to talk it through with the breast specialist more than you do with radiology.