Core Needle Biopsy after Radiation -- Help!

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lane4
lane4 Member Posts: 175
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I am supposed to have an ultrasound guided biopsy of my radiated breast tomorrow and I'm petrified over the possibility of healing issues.  I have been surfing the net and am afraid now that the biopsy itself will cause complications that I don't want to have to deal with.  The problem is an area of enhancement adjacent to the surgical site (and in the boost area) that the radiologist wants to biopsy because she can't exclude recurrence with the MRI. Mammogram only showed "post surgical changes" and no dominant mass. The area shows clearly on ultrasound. I am now 21 months post radiation. Is there anyone here who has had a core needle biopsy so soon after radiation? If so, did you have complications afterward? My surgeon said it would be rare to have a recurrence this soon, but did not say I shouldn't have the biopsy. I'm frightened and wondering if I should refuse the biopsy for now.  If you have had this done, please let me know your experiences. Thank you in advance for your repy!

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  • DiamondGirl
    DiamondGirl Member Posts: 1,046
    edited September 2011

    Hi Lane4, know that you are terrified.  I don't have any answer but just want to send you a {{{{{HUG}}}}}.  I hope that the biopsy went ok.  Please keep us posted.  Good luck and I hope it will be NED. 

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  • lane4
    lane4 Member Posts: 175
    edited September 2011

    DiamondGirl, thank you SO MUCH for your HUG!!! I did have the biopsy, although I had convinced myself that it was for nothing. I had been reading about healing issues in radiated tissue and I didn't want to subject my poor radiated boob to any unneccesary trauma. The radiologist spent a good half hour showing me the MRI and ultrasound, had me watch the rapid enhancement, noted the irregular borders, etc. before I consented to do the biopsy. She showed me the prior MRI (from six months earlier) and explained why this one was so concerning. I was amazed that she would take me into her office to explain all of this to me, not to mention the time she took. So, I should get a report Monday or Tuesday. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thank you again for the good wishes!

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited September 2011

    lane4:  Wishing you good news when you get your report next week.  Sending hugs to you.

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  • lane4
    lane4 Member Posts: 175
    edited September 2011

    Elizabeth, THANK YOU too for the good wishes and hugs! I expect it will be scar tissue or fat necrosis; probably something that could have been watched instead. I suppose I should be happy they are keeping a close watch on me.

     Blessings

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  • flopsy
    flopsy Member Posts: 365
    edited September 2011

    lane4     You can not be to careful at this point, but I know you did not want to have to go thru the agony and anxiety of another biopsy but you did the right thing and I am sending positive and benign thoughts to you!!!!!

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  • lane4
    lane4 Member Posts: 175
    edited September 2011

    Thank you all for the good wishes and hugs!!! My surgeon just called to tell me the biopsy showed fat necrosis. Yay! I am certainly relieved, but hoping this kind of thing won't happen again.

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited September 2011

    Lane4-

    GREAT news!  God bless you girl!

    Tori 

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  • GiGiL
    GiGiL Member Posts: 928
    edited September 2011

    Lane4, just read your posts.  I have been away for several days.  Glad to hear your biopsy turned up nothing too scarey.  Sorry you had to worry about it.

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