next steps if results are not good?

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msarcich
msarcich Member Posts: 33
edited August 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

Hi,

I'm waiting for results from my stereotactic biopsy -- should be today. And while I've thought about the possible need for getting a second opinion, I'm just realizing, I don't know who to do to for it. What type of doctor should I be looking for to get a second opinion? A radiologist who specializes in breast? An oncologist? I'm not sure. I'm just outside of Philadelphia. If you have any specific recommendations on doctors and/or centers to use, I would love to hear them.


I'm also not sure what my best next step would be if the biopsy results find cancer. Is the second opinion the next step or is there more testing first?


Any insights would be so appreciated. I'm jumping out of my skin over here every time the phone rings. This is emotionally brutal, and it's just the smallest part of what could be such a long journey.


Thanks,


Marianne



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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited August 2016

    Hi Marianne. So sorry you are going through this but welcome to the forum. First of all try to keep in mind that most breast lumps are benign. They have to prove you have bc before you do! However if youdo need to get a second opinion you would want to see a breast surgeon at a major university hospital. I've heard great things about Penn. You are fortunate to be so close. Good luck and keep us posted...

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  • msarcich
    msarcich Member Posts: 33
    edited August 2016

    thanks so much for your quick reply. and for the information. helps me feel more in control of this situation.

    so i had calicifications biopsied on tuesday. i also have a lump that i found but they couldn't perform that biopsy as planned because of all the sweilling. the calcifications are clustered and lined up. i'm told both those things are signals of possible precancerous or cancerous situation. i'm trying to stay calm, but what i would normally do to deal with stress -- run, yoga or pilates -- i can't do yet.

    who would have thought i'd be so happy to do grocery shopping and laundry this morn? :) thanks again.

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited August 2016

    Hi msarcich!

    First like dtad said, most lumps and areas of concern are benign. 80% come back as non cancerous.

    If you need a second opinion, a breast surgeon is the person to see. You can either ask your primary care doctor for a referral or scout one out on your own.
    If the results are cancerous, the next step would be to see a surgical oncologist. In my case, once we had the results of the biopsy, my primary care doctor referred me on to a surgical oncologist from MD Anderson. At that point, I didn't have to do anything. My primary care doctor sent all the paperwork and biopsy results over to the surgical oncologist's office and then the surgical oncologist's office contacted me and set up my next appointment.
    If it is cancerous, the first step is with the surgical oncologist because removing the tumor is what needs to be done. Once the tumor is removed, treatment, (chemo, radiation, etc.), can be done. Sometimes chemo is done first, to help shrink the tumor, if it's too big....but I'm getting way ahead of myself!!
    Anyway, I hope this helped some. I know how HORRIBLE the waiting is. In my opinion, it's the worst part of this mess because you simply don't know and your mind can make up some pretty terrible situations. Try to relax and remember, the odds are in your favor! 80% come back benign!!!

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  • BarredOwl
    BarredOwl Member Posts: 2,433
    edited August 2016

    Please see Marianne's latest post here:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/5/topics/...

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