how many excisional breast biospies can one have?

Ladybuggirl

I had an excisional breast biospy that was cancerous a little over a year ago (in October), clear magins, taken care of. Suspicious microcalifications were the reason for the biospy, radiation, highly hormone receptive. Taking arimidex.

I had second excisional biospy in June, but on the opposite breast, same reason. It looked a little like the other with the microcalcifications lining up in a neat little row. This one was not cancerous.

I am very small-breasted. I just had a follow up three D mammogram last Friday. Besides cancer coming back, or a new cancer developing my main concern is every time they see microcalcifcations, can they just keep taking chunk after chunk until nothing is left? Do they normally do this?

How accurate are the other types of biospies? If my doctor reccomends taking another chuck or so, should I seriously consider not doing that ask asking for something less invasive? Just don't know.

Beesie

Normally as a first step, stereotactic core needle biopsies are done for microcalcifications rather than an excisional biopsy. Of course if you'd had a core needle biopsy last year, because cancer was found, you would have ended up requiring a lumpectomy anyway, which is effectively the same surgery as an excisional biopsy.

If you continue to develop suspicious looking calcifications, you should certain ask about a stereotactic core needle biopsy rather than an excisional biopsy.

Ladybuggirl

Thank you for the reply. Birads III, probably not cancer was the result this time. Keeping fingers crossed for the future!!