Biopsy tomorrow

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Ford150
Ford150 Member Posts: 6
edited January 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi everyone. I'm 52, had a total abdominal hysterectomy in 2004. My mothers 2 sisters and their mother (my grandma) all had breast cancer. All three passed from the disease. My mother Melanoma and passed from complications with that. Father had Esophageal cancer and passed from that.

I had a Bi-rads 0 rating from my mammogram a year ago with a tissue type 3 (dense).

My followup U/S was rated Bi-rads 3. GYN said to just remove it; second opinion said it's nothing and put me on Estradiol for my menopause symptoms.

I had a 6 month follow up with 'second opinion', he ran the office U/S on me (the one they use when your pregnant) and said it was nothing.

Thought I felt a lump under my arm so I went for an U/S at the hospital, it was Bi-rads 4. Saw a surgeon who sent me for a diagnostic mammogram and it apparently was a Bi-rads 2. Whats up with that?

Surgeon still wants me to have the biopsy tomorrow.

Has anyone ever been downgraded and still been diagnosed with Cancer?

Sorry about the book I just wrote. :)

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2015

    Ford-

    We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're sorry for the worry that brings you here, but we hope you find the support and advice you need.

    BI-RADS scores are typically used to report the findings of mammograms, so it's interesting that you received a score from the ultrasound you had done at the hospital. The diagnostic mammo would be much more reliable, at least in terms of interpreting and determining your BI-RADS score. It's important to keep in mind that even reports that come back with a score of 4 or 5 are often later determined to be benign; it's a diagnostic tool and part of a larger picture, but it's by no means a final diagnosis of cancer. The surgeon recommends continuing with the biopsy, and we second that recommendation! At the very least, for peace of mind.

    Please let us know how it goes and what you find out!

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited December 2015

    Ford, with that family history, I would have the biopsy. And I wouldn't take hormone replacement therapy. Just my opinion. If it is anything bad, better to know sooner rather than later. And like the mods said, if all is well, you will have more peace of mind. Please do let us know how it turns out.

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  • BarredOwl
    BarredOwl Member Posts: 2,433
    edited December 2015

    Hi:

    The American College of Radiology (ACR) has promulgated different BI-RADs scoring systems for mammography, ultrasound and MRI. For information on the ultrasound scoring system, Google this exact phrase (in Google Search) and choose the second hit which is a pdf document from ACR:

    BI-RADS ultrasound

    Ultrasound and mammography "see" different things, and do not always see what the other one sees (may not be concordant) because of this. I would not think that a less concerning score by one imaging modality can negate or downgrade a more concerning score by another. It is just not concordant. For example, I had suspicious calcifications by mammography, but MRI (supposedly more sensitive) did not detect any abnormality in the same area. The MRI did not negate the prior finding. The higher mammographic Bi-RADs score justified biopsy.

    Your surgeon is considering the results of all imaging and clinical presentation (lump under arm) when recommending a biopsy.

    Please also consult the breast surgeon about the risks of hormone replacement therapy for you, and risk/benefit. Gynecologists may not be fully aware of the level of risk posed by certain family history.

    Hoping for benign results for you.

    BarredOwl


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  • Ford150
    Ford150 Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2015

    Thank each if you for your replies!

    Yes, I am happy to of had the biopsy (yesterday). I was super nervous, but I can now relate it to going to the dentist. We hate it but once your numb it's smooth sailing. I had a great team of people there that I could be more thankful for. Apparently I had 2 nodules to biopsy one very close to my chest wall but all went well.

    I did mention to the ' second opinion' Dr about the hormone replacement and he said it's to low a dose to make a difference. I was being scooted out as I was rattling off my concerns. It was a red flag but wasn't waving hard enough apparently...until I felt the lump under my arm. ☺

    Thank you for the Bi-rads information. I didn't realize they were different. I also found the lexicon and they are different as well. Interesting.

    I should have my results Friday or Monday...so we will see.

    God bless each of you. I saw my family members struggle with cancer and I can only admire those whose struggles are so great and still take the time to respond to my fears.

    Hugs!

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  • Ford150
    Ford150 Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2015

    I recieved the results. One nodule was considered fibrous mastopathy with hypocellular hyalinized stroma.

    The second a fibroepithelial lesion with myxoid hypocellular stroma and cystically dilated ducts. Somewhere in the description was the word biphasic.

    Recommended a second biopsy or wide excisional biopsy.

    I don't recall the exact words but it implied they could not confirm or deny whether there was any malignancy.

    I have pre-op appointment on the 21st for the excisional biopsy.

    Although it doesn't sound too bad (?) would have liked to know one way or the other.

    Never knew how much wait and worry is involved. 😕

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  • MagicalBean
    MagicalBean Member Posts: 362
    edited December 2015

    The waiting is painful.  Once you know what you're dealing with and have a treatment plan in place it gets so much better. 

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  • Ford150
    Ford150 Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2015

    I saw the surgeon yesterday I will have an excisional biopsy done on the 30th. I am a little confused because on one hand he said the pathology on my lesions came back negative. Then noted that one the pathology report stated 'no definitive evidence of malignancy" and said he was surprised this one was not malignant. THe pathology report recommended an additional CNB or excisional biopsy.

    When this first started, I just wanted to have them removed, now that the surgeon says I should have them removed it feels different. Anyway, I just try to refocus on the fact that this is what I wanted to begin with.

    I don't know why I'm writing, I just feel confused with the results and my emotions. I cried yesterday and this morning and I don't even know why for sure. My fiancée, who surely must think I'm batty, wondered why since the doctor said everything came back negative. I should be happy or at least not sad. It is so menial in comparison to those who have real struggles. Maybe I just want a 'definitive' answer already.

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  • Ford150
    Ford150 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2016

    I had my excisional biopsy, 2 lesions (3 o'clock, one posterior to the other), 4 days ago with general anesthesia. I was in at 830 am and out by 200pm.

    The Dr just called and said both are benign, which I kind of knew but you always wonder until you really know. Yay!!!! 🙌

    I haven't seen the report yet but that's ok. I don't feel the need to analyze this one to death. 😄

    I had some deep discomfort, even with deep breaths, and he said he said could 'buy that'. He went deep vs. wide to or into the fascia to get the second one. He said I could go back to work when I feel up to it. I sort of take that as now is ok. 😆

    Most limitations seem up to me and how I fell. I feel guilty not going to work but not really sure what the standard is. I had company day 2 & 3, so I cleaned, etc and probably over did it a little. I think I could use another day but also read people go back the next day.

    Any thoughts regarding returning to work or regarding the deep biopsy?

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited January 2016

    Listen to your body! An extra day or two of taking it easy never hurt anyone.

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