When did you get the pathology?

Hi

usually, the biopsy can give you an idea of what is going on--- maybe a size estimate or a type ...

But, until you actually have the surgical removal of the lump or breast, you won't have all the information.  They can make some guesses via the biopsy, but the surgical pathology is the one from which you make your decisions.

I had a biopsy which confirmed that the lump was malignant--then I had an MRI on both breasts, a lumpectomy (results were slightly different from biopsy--lump was a bit larger) but that is where I got my receptor information, grade, stage and from there we did the oncotype test to figure out if chemo would make sense.  

My surgeon made some assumptions based on the biopsy (she said it probably had not gone into the nodes, she was right), but she wanted all of her information before we had surgery.  I had my lumpectomy around Thanksgiving that year, so things moved a little slowly--got the pathology results about 2-3 weeks later--then had to wait more over the holidays for the oncotype results.

 All the pre-testing and waiting is hard, but so worth it so you know exactly what you are dealing with.

Maybe on the 7th you can speed up the surgical date......

good luck

My core biopsy showed that my tumor had hormone receptors and that the tumor was grade 3.

The path report explained everthing else. I got my path report when I had my appointment with my GS after surgery, which was about two weeks later. Make sure you get a copy of your path report.

I  there.  I am at a large cancer center and had my biopsy at a very large mamography center. For me, I was provided  my her2 status, hormone status, grade and confirmation of mammogram results for malignancy with the biopsy. That pathology was available  2 business days after the biopsy. I did request copies of the pathology. Size from the biopsy is not confirmed, the results of the sonogram gave projected size but it was off a bit. All of this occurred within 1 day. Biopsy next morning as it was 6pm by the time I left...

The lumpectomy surgery, scheduled one month later after many surgical consults then confirmed the actual size of the tumor, if the% of hormone sensitive, her2 and lymph node status and if there was vascular invasion , necrosis , the grade and a whole host of other data. That information I received 7 days after surgery, though I could have called and they would have given me the results on the phone I was told. The only thing that took about 3 weeks was the BRAC1 &2 gene. The Onco dx took 12 days - exact.

I would encourage you to ask for copies of all tests, mamo, sono, pathologies from biopsy and surgery. Its good to have your own copies. A good surgeon will go line by line with you on the surgical results to ensure you understand everything.

Good luck to you.

Nancy, my core biopsy results gave out only some information. Some of it turned out to be incorrect. For example, tumor was said to be grade 3, but the final path result after surgery set it at grade 2. Surgeon said such discrepancy was very uncommon.

My biopsy result also said there was no LVI, but there was... not sure if the LVI developed in the 5 weeks time since the biopsy but that's probably unlikely. One of my sentinel nodes was affected with micrometastasis, which wasn't seen on US.

US estimated the size of the tumor to be between 2 and 3 cm, but it turned out to be 1.6 cm. I received no hormone or HER2 status with my biopsy results, had to wait for post-surgery path report. 

While biopsy will give you some idea of what you're dealing with, like catbill says, that can change with the final report so don't get too worked up about it, as it can turn out to be better than predicted. Best wishes to you!