Birads 4 biopsy in previous biopsy area

Marcar1

I had a core needle biopsy 6 months ago from mammo and u.s. findings. Came back as stromal fibrosis and periductal inflammatory infiltrate. Just had 6 month follow up images and dr sees something new near the biopsy site. Gave it birads4 and had core needle biopsy in thenew area a day later. I’ve never had birads 4. Dr said the biopsy 6 months ago could have been a false negative. Question: do you know cases where inflammation nearby was actually missed cancer? Thank you.

Beesie

Marcar,

Sorry you are back with another concern. I can't help with your question - I can't recall any cases coming through here where inflammation was evidence of a cancer that an initial biopsy missed, and I don't know much about conditions that cause breast inflammation.

With regard to the BI-RADs 4, that in itself is not worrisome - BI-RADs 4 is given whenever a biopsy is recommended, and in the end most biopsies end up being benign. Since you had a biopsy 6 months ago, would that not have been a BI-RADs 4 as well, or was that a "watch & wait" situation (i.e. a BI-RADs3) where you decided to ask for a biopsy instead?

Let us know what happens with the result. Good luck!

Marcar1

unfortunately I just found out that it is Invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2. In shock.

LivinLife

Just want to welcome you Marcar! I cannot answer this either. My experience was more about a non-mass enhancement one of my providers said could be inflammation. It turned out the DCIS was where the DCIS was noted to be on other imaging. the non-mass enhancement really wasn't inflammation - it was a combo of a lot of benign and precancerous stuff upon final pathology after my BMX. Two of those would have required additional biopsy and possible excision had I not been having BMX - precancerous, not cancerous tho..... Please let us know what you hear on results, ok?

Beesie

Marcar,

I'm sorry. Head over to the Just Diagnosed forum - you'll get lots of support there. And make sure you get a copy of the pathology report from the biopsy. At this point, the most important information to know are the grade of the cancer and the hormone status, which means whether ER, PR and HER2 are negative or positive. That information will dictate your next steps and the treatment recommendations.

kathabus

I'm so sorry. Must be a little surreal since you just had a benign result just six months ago. Let us know how we can help. Hugs.

Salamandra

Hi Marcar1,

I'm so sorry you got bad news

Hopefully more information - size, hormone receptors, etc - will come in soon. In the meantime, do you have a good cancer center near you?

For what it's worth, there is still plenty of scope for good news! I felt so unlucky after I got my malignant results, but it turned out I had some luck in the details of the cancer, at least so far.

Also, the worst part was between getting the news it was malignant and the first meeting with my surgical oncologist, who explained everything and set up a plan. The reality really was better than the fear.

Hang in there and know that we are here and these boards are a great place