*Breast biopsy w/ needle localization*

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NaughtybyNature
NaughtybyNature Member Posts: 1,448
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I am scheduled this coming Wednesday to have a breast biopsy with needle localization. 

Did you have this procedure done?  I have read now plenty of information regarding same, but really would like to hear about your own experience.

How big of a scar were you left with?

What were your results?  Depending of your results, what treatment were you suggested to have, if any?

Thanks.

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  • QueenSansaStark
    QueenSansaStark Member Posts: 207
    edited July 2010

    Hi there Naughty by Nature:

    I had a local needle biopsy back before I was first dx'd in 2007. Because I hate needles and am a wuss about pain, I got a Valium for beforehand. Don't try to drive home afterwards if you get a Valium! (have someone drive you) However, it really wasn't that painful except for the part right near the nipple. They used the needle to take "core samples" of the tumor (like taking core samples of soil) from several different angles.

    I had no scars. I did use an icepack when I got home because I bruised a bit.

    And alas, it was cancer - IDC/ILC - but remember 80% of lumps turn out B9 and I was just that poor schmo in the 20%. I'm hoping you will be in the 80%. 

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited July 2010

    I had a needle localization (by mammo) before my surgical excision. Actually it was called bracketing, because they used 2 needles. I didn't get any anxiety or pain meds before the needle insertion.  Some people have a much better time than others.  I would have an agreed upon plan to use *in the event that* you have pain.  My only pain 'premed' was the equivalent of about 3 seconds with an ice cube.  Once the needle was inserted, I had a shot of local lidocaine, which didn't work.  Right before the procedure, I was told I must promise that I won't move a muscle through the entire procedure.  I don't know how long it lasted, but it felt like1-1/2 hours.

    If I have to have it again, I am going to have a conversation with the doc beforehand. If you have pain- complain.  If I have to have it again, I would consider slathering my breast in Orajel an hour before, even though that will probably only numb the outside and would be messy. I knew if I told them I was in pain I would cry, and if I cried I would move, just ruining the procedure. I wrote 2 letters to the radiologist, and after a month, he left a message on my answering machine that 'patient experience is important, but if I injected lidocaine in all my patients I'd have to draw up bicarbanate'.  I ended up having a reactivation of my PTSD-like syndrome.

    Next time, if they don't take care of my pain during the procedure, I'm going to pull out of the mammo machine and walk out the door, even if the wires/needles are intact. 

    I did a poll here, and most people indeed did have 'tolerable pain', pain score <=5/10. I hope you are in that group, and that your results are Boringly Benign.

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited July 2010

    Lilia .. the best recommendation I can give is to know who the radiologist is.  They can have very different styles.  The radiologist I had for my biopsy was kind and very careful to make sure I had no pain.  He didn't leave a scar.  It was a long procedure (stereotactic, with wire guided mammo), and I was uncomfortable, but not in pain.

    The wire localization procedure was a lot different.  A different radiologist who had no concern for my comfort.  I was in excruciating pain .. and I will never have that procedure again.  Or if I have to, I will make sure I have a different radiologist.  This procedure didn't leave a scar either.

    I'm so sorry to hear you may be facing this again.  I hope your results come back benign and your procedure Wednesday is pain free and you are comfortable.

    Bren

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  • NaughtybyNature
    NaughtybyNature Member Posts: 1,448
    edited July 2010

    Dear CristalCat, leaf and BinVa...thanks for your answers. 

    I guess I really don't have to say it but I am so all over the place, mentally that is... as the results can only be one thing or the other!

    As for the procedure itself, I am going to have a radiologist, don't know who yet, hopefully the one that did the double core biopsy would be nice (no scars there... just two "love" bits), and than I will have the new surgeon, that I met and liked him, do the biopsy, wherein he is going to remove a golf size ball tissue sample of my breast... I asked him to make my boobs match... might as well, since my good boob is now going to be scared too.

    What I understand of this procedure, is that it's kind of lumpectomy, but without the cancer as so far I have none... I "just" have cells. with focal ADH.  So precaution, precaution, precaution.

    Let's hope all this goes just fine... very sick and tired of these summers wherein I get to relive all that happened to me 7 years ago and this time... some more ;o(!

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited July 2010

    Liliah .. hope all went well with the biopsy.

    When do you get the results?

    Thinking of you ...

    Bren

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  • NaughtybyNature
    NaughtybyNature Member Posts: 1,448
    edited August 2010

    Hi Bren... I had my procedure on Wednesday at St. Francis Hospital, in Hartford, CT.  The following is what one might expect to have while having a Breast biopsy with needle localization AND no... no results yet.

    I was very impressed w/ the staff, from nurses to Drs.  I arrived on time and was taken to the triage/recovery room by a "Hitler aid"... mama mia... thank G... I only saw her for about 5 minutes; then Nurse Debbie came in and she was very sweet; after I got dressed (or under-dressed...) I was taken to the radiologist department;

    I must have had about 4 mammograms so they could locate the two breast markers I have and more important the one where the biopsy was going to take place; the aid and the tech were to very sweet ladies and I had a lot of fun with them, especially when Mr. Hot Dr. (Dr. Firestone) came in the room; Hello-hello-hello!

    I was attached to the darn machine without being able to move, the doctor numbed the area and than put the needle through... a little discomfort, but nothing to write home about; another mammogram to make sure the needle was in the right spot; wait a little, which seemed a long time since I could not move an inch b/c my boob was stuck in the darn mammogram machine; later Dr. Firestone, the Radiologist, came back in and put the wire in... no pain... still attached to the machine... another and final mammogram... Hurray; he liked what he saw... on the mammograms... and gave the green lite for me to go the operating room... off course... at that time I had to toss my two cents and say: "You come in here, use and abuse me and now leave without paying for breakfast... come on!!!"  His assistants were rolling on the floor b/c apparently I made him blush (hey... humor has been always my best weapon on all kinds of situations);

    Got wheeled around w/ a plastic cup under my arm to protect the rest of my body against the needle and wire in place and was taken to the operating room; there, got bombarded w/ a female Dr., the anesthesiologist, and my surgeon... and two more nurses... ai-ai.  Off course, I told the anesthesiologist to take it easy w/ the drugs, which I think he did not hear me too well... at the end, I did wake up and no nausea... DOUBLE HURRAY;

    The biopsy to my good breast took about 45 minutes or so; when awake, I was finally given some food and a drink... my goodness, the darn cranberry juice and corn muffin never tasted so good and fresh;

    I joined my hubby back to the triage room... we hanged there for 45 minutes and than off we drove back home, where upon arrival I ate a nice bowl of cereal and than took a nice nap;

    As for pain, none, believe it or not; the bruising has been healing very well and I have a nice two inch scar, again on a place that does not show.  I do have alot of ichy moments.  Sometimes I feel a little discomfort, a little aching but other than that... I am okay and did go to work the following day... AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, what da heck are you doing here, everyone asked me... and the answer is in case the results come back positive, I am going to need more time off, therefore better work all days I can;

    As for the results, not even a preliminary report I was able to get on Wednesday; I should have the results this Wednesday, August 4... but tomorrow I am going to call my surgeon's office and see if they know anything... anything at all.

    So... this is my "adventure" to the biopsy world with full anesthesia/sedation and back to the waiting for more results... seven years out... I should not be here... none of us should EVER be here.

    Thanks for reading, always me, Lilia

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2010

    lilia-----my wire localization was much like you described---very little pain, just  a lot of pressure; very similar to my steroetactic core biopsy, just sitting instead of laying down on your stomach.  Then off to the OR for my wide excisional lumpectomy----woke up in the recovery room wrapped snugly in a chest binder which I was allowed to remove after 2 days and shower with the steri strips on. I was diagnosed with LCIS  almost 7 years ago (a step further along the bc spectrum with twice the risk of ADH/ALH)==took tamoxifen for 5 years, continue with high risk surveillance of alternating mammos and MRIs every 6 months. now take evista for further preventative measures. PRaying  you have nothing more than ADH found.

    Anne

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  • NaughtybyNature
    NaughtybyNature Member Posts: 1,448
    edited August 2010

    My gyno (not the surgeon!!!!) just called me with the results:

    Laughing*****IT'S BENIGN... NO CANCER*****Laughing

    I can finally start enjoying my summer!  Hurray!

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited August 2010

    Great news Lilia! Enjoy the summer!

    Sheila

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited August 2010

    Lilia ... huge "sigh" of relief!

    Fabulous news ... have fun and enjoy the rest of summer!

    hugs,

    Bren

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited August 2010

    Lilia, I have been following your saga, and holding my breathe that it would turn out to be a false alarm. 

    Congratuations!!!  That's great news.  And yes, now you can really enjoy the summer!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2010

    lilia--wonderful news!!!!!!!

    Anne

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  • NaughtybyNature
    NaughtybyNature Member Posts: 1,448
    edited August 2010

    Thank you so much girls... here's the final word:

    "FINAL PATHOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS

    Breast, left, excisional biopsy (with needle localization):

    Healing wound consistent with previous needle core biopsy site.  Fibrocystic change, proliferative (DONT' LIKE THIS WORD, SOUNDS LIKE MY CELLS MATE LIKE RABBITS!), with duct hyperplasia, sclerosing adenosis, blunt duct adenosis, columnar cell change, cysts, apocrine metaplasia, fibroadenomatous change, and stromal fibrosis, with associated rare small microcalcifications.

    No carcinoma identified.

    No residual atypical duct hyperplasia identified."

    TRIPLE GAZILLION HURRAY... for this year that is.  Happy summer to you all.  We are going to celebrate 7 years cancer free for me this 9/5/10 and many more to come to all of us.

    Thank you... always me, Lilia

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited August 2010

    Glad to hear that, have a good one

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