Inconclusive Results.

Marianne777 · January 2015

Went for the biopsy results this morning,a little nervous, the doctor said I needed another biopsy, as the the biopsy that came back from the lab, was healthy tissue. But because, the mammogram results were suspicious, they couldn't say it was benign.All I could hear , because I was anxious, just words, like mammogram,4 I couldn't take in the doctors explanation, then he mentioned 3, but the biopsy taken was healthy! So I have to do that again. Would anyone know what this means? The mammogram bit anyway, I didn't know they graded mammograms.

leaf · January 2015

I think this probably means that they found something suspicious on your mammogram, probably a BIRADS 4. This is a rating of how suspicious a mammogram or other imaging can be. http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types...

Your biopsy results were healthy tissue. That means they suspect they didn't sample the 'area of concern', which means whatever made your mammogram suspicious. Mammogram reports often use all these long, (to us patients) vague terms, but actually they are describing exactly what they see on a mammogram. So, for example, if this was a photo of your face instead of your mammogram, they would be describing the shape and color of your eyes, the shape of your face, lips, and mouth, whether or not you had moles, your complexion, etc.

I think of the breasts as somewhat like a bowl of jello, so that I think it would be pretty hard to hit a particular place in the breast, because your breast jiggles, and there is friction between the needle and the breast tissue. So I don't blame them for not hitting the spot they wanted to see. When I had my first biopsy (for calcifications, so they could see them in a mammogram and could tell whether they had removed them), my radiologist jumped for joy when he saw he had hit them and removed them. So I think it can be difficult to 'fish' for the right spot.

Sometimes, especially with some smaller diameter needles, they can cause friction with the breast tissue, and the cells inside the needle can get distorted, making it hard for the pathologist to read the results.

To be diagnosed with breast cancer, you almost always have to have a pathologist look at a piece of tissue under the microscope. That's why they are doing the biopsy. The mammogram can say whether an an area is suspicious or not, but sometimes mammograms are wrong. Its like looking at a friend from the back. They may have the same hair color, be the right height, wear their hair the same way, and dress in the same type of clothes, but you won't be able to tell whether its your friend or not unless they turn around and see their face. The same way, mammograms are like looking at your friend from the back, and a biopsy sample is like looking at your friend from the front.

Best wishes as you go through this anxious time.

Marianne777 · January 2015

Thank You,Leaf, for your immediate response, I appreciate your detailed explanation.

roadrash · January 2015

Hi, You must be so frustrated having to have to do the biopsy again. Leaf did give a fantastic explanation. That word suspicious is just what it is.. suspicious. For many women suspicious turns out to not be cancer but a benign breast issue. I have had many false positive results and a biopsy was really a tried and true way to know with assurance. I hope all goes well next time and you get good results. Please let us know.

lynnmiller · February 2015

I don't know how they grade mammograms either but I'm a newbie here and I'm right here with you on this whole scarey ordeal. We are not alone in this journey. I hope things turn out positive for you and me. I'm still waiting. I too had a biopsy where they said it looked susupicious so I'm having a lumpectomy now. Try to have someone with you during all doctor visits so you will have another person to take in the information. Sending lots of hugs and positive vibes your way. Hang in there.

Marianne777 · February 2015

Thank's for your support roadrash, you seem to have gone through a lot yourself. with many false positives, how did you cope ? Now you are a tower of stength, to us newbies! Thank You so much.

Marianne777 · February 2015

Hi,Lynnmiller, I did notice your post last week, when you were asking questions, I think I posted in Your post, by mistake, sorry about that.. What are we like! We are both anxious, of course, I have been following your story, and I feel for you., because I know how you are feeling, just like me! Lots of Hugs to you too, I try reading, walking, being busy on the internet ( I only go on Breastcancer.org, no other infomation site) Keep posting,let us know how you are getting on.

Marianne777 · February 2015

Well, I had another Core Biopsy last Wednsday,11/ Feb. on account of the inconclusive result,the week before, radiologist had given me a 4 rating,last time. I had a painless core biopsy,and as I was dressing, she said, it is probably benign, I may have to have 6 monthly mammograms,said my thanks, and left . Next week I will get the results of biopsy. Now, I didn't realize, that Probably Benign, was actually a diagnosis! untill I read up on it! I'm confused, because I see that would mean a 3 rating, when she said 4, last time! So I presume, that , that will be my diagnosis, next week.I.m not looking forward to going for diognostic mammograms, every 6 months, and it may turn into cancer, or not,!

leaf · February 2015

Well, I'd say Probably Benign is a probable diagnosis. Your real diagnosis will happen after you hear what the pathologist says after looking at the tissue under the microscope. They certainly can't diagnose some samples, particularly for early cancers or pre-cancers, with their naked eye. They need to stabilize then slice the samples very thinly, then look at them under the microscope to really diagnose you. Unless you get another inconclusive result (such as the sample was distorted) then the pathologist will probably give you a specific diagnosis.

Waiting is awful. Let us know how it goes, OK?

Marianne777 · February 2015

Thanks, Leaf,I know you are right, I suppose I'm just anxious, as I haven't received a date yet for the results, I thought it might be next Friday, but I have yet to get a letter, so it could be the following week! I will post as soon as I hear results.I;m so glad I can post here, Thanks Again!

Marianne777 · February 2015

I received my results, today,(I live in Ireland), The doctor called me in and said Everything's fine, its Benign! I said" compleatly benign", he said yes. ......Then I lost the plot!!.. I said, why did I have to go through 2 mammograms, 2 ultrasound, 2 biopsys, to get to Benign!! As I said, I lost the plot! I was annoyed, that I was given a point 4 mammogram, the first time I went, which lead me to believe, that it was suspicious, My husband is still annoyed with me, He was( embarrased), Then he said, I have Ductasia, just gung, thats what it was. He said, thankfully, women with cancer, are very glad that the Breast Clinis is very thourough,,I just feel it should'nt take all of the mammos, ultrosound, biopsys, to find that out.! IOn my behalf, I was very anxous, this morning, Then I cried, I know, I was awful.

Anyway, I would like to thank,all on this site, just for being there, especially , Leaf & Roadrage, I'm very happy its benign, I suppose I was just expecting ,something else.

AndreaJ50 · February 2015

Yay Marianne!! That is wonderful news!! I am so happy for you. Now go live your life. But know that should you ever need us this is the place to come to.

Take care,

Andrea

Marianne777 · February 2015

Thank You, Andriaj50, I will, I will love you and leave you.

Inconclusive Results.

Comments

Categories