Anyone ever had a false negative?

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workingmomof3
workingmomof3 Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)

I have been having some issues with my breast that has prompted me to suspect IBC. I have had a normal mamo and an ultrtasound that showed an inflamed lymph node, and another US that showed skin thickening on the areola. I had been on 1 round of antibiotics and then was referred to a breast center at a local hospital. The doctor there did not seem overly concerned about the possibilility of IBC. But she chose to treat with another stonger antibiotic and with no change chose to do a biopsy. It was not a skin punch, it was done under general anethesia and was a slice (i think) of the areola and some underlying breast tissue. The biopsy came back benign. I want to take the results at face value and move on, but a small voice in my head is telling me to not let it go. My question is this: is it possible to have a "false negative" biopsy showing no cancer when there really is cancer there? What if she cut in the wrong area? I have a couple of areas that don't "seem" right, and she only biopsied one spot. I want to trust her because she is a breast specialist, but I know there is SOMETHING wrong--not necessarily cancer, but something. I know my own body, and something is not right. I need some advice, ladies! I follow up with her this week from the biopsy. Can someone help me with what questions I should be asking at my appointment. My first symptoms began 4 to 5 weeks ago, and I know that with IBC time is of the essence. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks :-)

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  • SeanE
    SeanE Member Posts: 107
    edited August 2013

    From personal experience and from extensive research, my understanding is that a skin-punch biopsy is the only way to definitively diagnose, and that's only if you happen to hit the right area - multiple biopsies may be required.

    IBC is often diagnosed clinically (only from symptoms), rather than pathologically (from cell examination).  When skin thickening, along with a swollen, red, warm-to-the-touch breast, that does not go away with antibiotics, is highly suggestive of IBC.  I would recommend pursuing another biopsy, make sure it's a "skin-punch" biopsy, and from multiple areas of your breast. 

    If you are not satisfied with your local doctor, I highly recommend you go to the nearest Comprehensive Cancer Center and get tests/diagnosis/treatment there.  You can find them at: 

    http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-list.html

    Hopefully, nothing will be found and your symptoms will resolve themselves.  But if not, because of the aggressive nature of IBC, it is important to get a diagnosis and start treatment ASAP.

    Sincerely,

    Sean E.

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  • carol1949
    carol1949 Member Posts: 562
    edited October 2010

    I think anything is possible.  I had 2 mammograms and at least one ultrasound miss my tumor which was 6 cm by the time my Dr. found it on a routine check up. 

    In addition to that, my brother had a biopsy w/ surgery of a tumor on his kidney that came back negative only to find a year later after being treated for arthritis, that he had mets to bone, lung and brain!   He was gone 5 months later.

    We must remember that our medical personnel are people who have been trained to do a job!  That is all they are.  Some are better than others, some may be  hung over, mediocre, angry at someone or something.... uncertain of what they see, so they guess?  etc, etc.

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

    I had five false negatives..then I

    insisted on excisional biopsies

    The five were all on one lump..

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  • NYmom60
    NYmom60 Member Posts: 44
    edited October 2010

    I was diagnosed with IBC based on clinical symptoms. However, the skin biopsy did come back negative which does happen at times. Regardless, I was still treated for IBC. If the antibiotics haven't helped, I would ask for a breast MRI and think about obtaining a second opinion from someone knowledgeable about IBC. 

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited October 2010

    My first punch biopsy to the skin at the "peau d'orange" was negative .  Mammo & US negative.  A MRI located the area that was positive, a 3 mm mass.  Very small, but I am so thankful for my breast specialist.  I truely believe she saved my life.

    If you think something is wrong, then follow your instinct.  That is my best advice. 

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