Biopsy thoughts (does it spread the cancer?)

ayr1016
ayr1016 Member Posts: 228
edited January 2016 in Just Diagnosed

I had a core biopsy last TUES (Dec 22nd). It was uneventful till the end. I don't know what happened, but she hit a spot that nearly made me jump off the table. I am still sore 8 days later. Is this normal? I had a lot of bruising that is finally turning to yellowish. I also have occasional "stabs of pain" in that breast as well. Whereas I had no pain at all prior to the biopsy. So, with the constant soreness and stabs of occasional pain, my brain has been fixated on the fact that the biopsy meant poking a hole (or many holes?) into my tumor. My mind keeps wondering "could some cancer cells have been released into my blood stream during this biopsy?" Then of course, I keep wondering about when I moved...did that tear any of the tumor? Did my moving do something to cause it to spread or leak into my blood stream? Of course I Googled and some of the more popular sites say "it is a myth". But, is it? I found other sites saying otherwise (not a myth). Oh, the tortures of being diagnosed. I am well aware that I would have had less information without the biopsy (just mammogram and ultrasound). None of this even remotely occurred to me prior to the biopsy because everything went so fast and everyone (friends/family) kept saying "oh, it's nothing...it's probably fatty tissue...your fine". Anyhow, some WED night thoughts from a newly diagnosed, mind won't stop thinking about it woman.

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Comments

  • phrogger78
    phrogger78 Member Posts: 115
    edited December 2015

    All the side effects that you are having from the biopsy is exactly what they told me I would have after mine, for at least 2 weeks. It was even on the typical discharge information sheet that they gave me. Meaning, those are so common they tell everyone they will have those symptoms after the biopsy. I have had the stabs of pain, I have had the soreness, I didn't have bruising, but I had no pain in my breast prior to this, but I feel it now.

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  • ayr1016
    ayr1016 Member Posts: 228
    edited December 2015

    thanks phrogger78 I have my sheet somewhere. Ok...found it. It says "mild discomfort the first 24 hrs following procedure" haha, yeah right ;) Even though my sheet does not say it, I'm glad my symptoms are normal. I am sure I'm in store for more pain in the future from BC, so I better toughen up.

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited December 2015

    The sensitive spot was probably just beyond the reach of the lidocaine. And the sites that claim biopsies can spread cancer cells tend to be populated by the same lunatics who contend that antiperspirants, underwire bras, or simply wearing bras causes breast cancer. The Internet is a dangerous place in that all ideas--facts and fallacies--are given equal exposure. It’s full of wackos and conspiracy theorists, with no impartial arbiter of what is valid and what is flat-out flip-a-dee-doo-dah insane. For factual information, stay away from anything other than BCO, the ACS, Komen, WebMD, or Livestrong.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited January 2016

    ChiSandy is spot on. To my knowlege there are no legitimate studies proving that biopsies spread cancer. I'm sure if you look long enough you can find something on Dr.Google about spreading cancer tumors by way of biopsies. Doesn't make it true, but you can find it out there. My advice is to sit tight for now and stay off the internet search, other than here at BCO. I have found BCO to have a wealth of good information that is well-researched.

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  • ayr1016
    ayr1016 Member Posts: 228
    edited January 2016

    Thank you ladies for responding. Our minds do crazy things to us during this time. I'm so exhausted from thinking about cancer every waking moment. kayb your explanation makes sense. So, I will ease my mind with allowing that to trump my other crazy thoughts ;)

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  • OH_dear
    OH_dear Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2016

    Phew...so happy that I 'happened' on to this discussion! Have wondered this myself and feel much better after reading. Thank you, ladies! I was diagnosed Dec. 18 and will be having a lumpectomy on Jan 7 - followed by radiation.. Sending healing and comforting tho'ts to all of you!! <3

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  • mettasun
    mettasun Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2016

    I asked my doctors about this on two occasions: before lump biopsy and in anticipation of future lymph node biopsy. They said no worry in both cases. A biopsy can spread some cancers, but apparently this doesn't seem to happen in the case of breast cancer. Nonetheless, I will make sure to begin treatment soon after lymph node biopsy, for extra caution.

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  • mettasun
    mettasun Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2016

    According to two bc specialists I consulted, there is no evidence that a breast biopsy spreads cancer. Biopsies of certain other sorts of cancer can do that, but apparently not bc.

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  • Sunnyone22
    Sunnyone22 Member Posts: 191
    edited January 2016

    ChiSandy - I just joined today (after receiving my BC diagnosis this morning) and I just want to say I've found your posts on several threads and I really enjoy reading them! You're a great writer and funny too!. Thanks for contributing.

    Wondering where you are in the BC treatment process today. (Looks like you were diagnosed over 4 months ago. Hope you're doing GREAT and hope to continue to see your comments here as I go through my BC journey

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2016

    When I had my stereotactic biopsy back in 2005, the radiologist said they missed the calcifications in the first attempt and they "scattered". He had to try again and the biopsy came back benign. 10 years later I was diagnosed after clear mammograms and ultrasounds and even a fine needle cyst aspiration. However, I don't think having a biopsy causes cells to spread to other parts of the body. I was told that those twinge pains after a biopsy are normal, the nerve endings are regenerating and "misfiring" pain signals. Wishing you worry-free times going forward!

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

    Hi, Sunny, and thanks for the compliments! Had my lumpectomy at the end of Sept., finished radiation just before Thanksgiving, and began hormone therapy (letrozole) on New Year’s Eve. So far, so good. Have been noticing some arm tightness and soreness, but the lymphedema therapist isn’t calling it actual LE yet--she says it could still be part of the healing process. Nevertheless, I am practicing manual lymph drainage and just began doing stretching exercises.

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  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 384
    edited January 2016
    Hi AYR1016, I had the same experience during my core biopsy. I asked the doctor that specific question and she responded that to her knowledge it did not happen. That being said, I believe that the subsequent treatments, as well as our own immune system, take care of any stray 'bad' cells. The dx itself is such a shock, I know, that having these thoughts is quite normal. Wishing you the very best.
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