rapid tumor growth very worried about biopsy

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chrome67
chrome67 Member Posts: 5
edited December 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

hi all,

2 weeks ago i found a lump in my right nreast and was sent for mammogram and ultra sound and informed i needed a needle biopsy. At that stage the lump was measured at 1.8 cm and showed now red colour marks in it (not sure what term to use ) Yesterday one week after the original tests i went for the biopsy, the lump now measures 2.12 cm in just one week and is now showing red dots with in it.

The whole experience was very unsettling. The dr doing the test was odd to say the least. When he first started he asked his assistant how many lumps where to be tested and was told one. When the assitant asked why he made an off handed comment ..oh just found a unusual lymph and then ignored it and moved on. Upon trying to biopsy the actual lump he could not get the needle in at all and beleive me he tried was very forceful and had to change to a larger needle after numerous attempts he finally was able to get the needle in and then told the assitant he was not sure he got anything. The assitant showed him a few white specks on a slid and he shrugged his shoulders and told me to get dressed and left.

I am now more worried than when i went in. My questions are.

Should i be worried about the rapid growth ?

Has anyone else had the same thing with the needle not being able to penatrate the lump, does anyone know what that could mean?

What are the chances that if he didnt get enough sample i dont get a clear diagnosis or miss diagnosed?

Should I tell my dr about the lymph comment and ask for a further biopsy, thinking i should ask about having it removed.

I know there are a lot of questions but i really dont know where to start.

Any comments or advice would be wonderful

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2016

    Hi Chrome, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

    We just wanted to drop a note to say hi and let you know we're all here for you. It's a little quiet around here on the weekends -- especially a holiday weekend -- but rest assured someone will be by shortly to offer their advice and support.

    We are thinking of you and sending positive thoughts for good results!

    --The Mods

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    Chrome If I understand correctly the red marks were with the ultrasound when the tech turned a dial? If so that could be vascular activity which means the lump has its own blood source.

    It's very hard for the radiologist to hit a tiny lump in a breast but I'm surprised he only took one sample. Most take 3 in case they miss. You might get a false negative which I did last December. I had seen vascular activity on my own US so was surprised by the benign report. I wanted the lump out anyway and they found it to be cancerous. They looked back at the biopsy and went oops that was cancer too! So mistakes are made.

    As for it growing sometimes it's just the angle the tech gets it at and how good they are at measuring. You may find you have a really tiny dot of cancer on the middle of a larger lump. The cells grew around it to protect you.

    And for the node it probably just means he saw one in range. You have nodes all through your body so that didn't seem to be a red flag.

    If it comes back benign you can ask for it to come out anyway. The best lump is a lump in a jar! Good luck sweetie. Please post here so we know how you're doing.


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  • chrome67
    chrome67 Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2016

    hi Barbe, thank you for your reply. Just a quick update. I still have not received my test reults yet. I have an appointment with my gp on Thursday so hopfully will know more then. I have a question though for you or anyone who may read this post. I have noticed that my skin just below the lump is turning a funny light red coulour with what seems to be a distinct halo in one spot and the skin feels less sensative on that side of my breast. Should this be something i need to be concerned about.

    Ive previously had a lump which turned out to be mastitis when i was 43 but this lump and all the different things about it really has me upset, uncertain and scared it just feel so different.

    Any advice support would be so greatly appreciated

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited November 2016

    Is the pinkish area hot? Did you get an insect bite or could you possibly have an infection?

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  • chrome67
    chrome67 Member Posts: 5
    edited November 2016

    no its not hot and no bits i know of, just a change in colouring and feel.

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  • chrome67
    chrome67 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2016

    hi since my last post i have had a number of things happen and was hoping someone might be able to help. I had a needle byopisy which was an absolute circus. Went and saw my gp and she was not happy with the results they say im showing fibrocustic changes but also epthielial hyperplasia, but i had a full hysterectomy 16nyrs ago with no hormone therapy so she questions if that is even an issue. Shes worried he didnt do the biopsy properly and that the lump might be actually hiding something or ditracting from something else and about the skin changes and sent me off to make an appt with the bs. Which i did and was booked for the 19th. This week a few things happened and now im even more worried, over the past week i have started to have pain behind my nipple and a ache in my armpit but no lump. On wednesday my breast started discharging a brown bloody colour substance. There was so much of it i took photos of it running down my breast and into the sink.

    I rang the bs and told them and now have been booked in for an urgent appoitment on Friday. Another thing I have also noticed is that the same breast has shrunk a lot even my daughters commented on how small it is looking.

    I know people say google is not your friend when you have medical issues but none the less i have been googling and have found out that ilc has very similar systems as to what i have. Did anyone have similar systems and what was the diagnosis.

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  • Emily2008
    Emily2008 Member Posts: 605
    edited December 2016

    I've not experienced what you are, but I suggest you post your question under "Not Diagnosed, But Scared"...you may have more luck connecting with someone in a similar position.

    I'm glad you're being seen tomorrow. The 19th is waaaay too long to wait. A BS is the way to go for biopsies, in my opinion. The BS may do a stereotactic biopsy rather than a needle one. Stereotactic biopsies actually cut a little bit of the tissue for sampling. I have read that they are better at diagnosing cancers.


    Good luck! Prayers are with you!

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  • Barbed
    Barbed Member Posts: 33
    edited December 2016

    Hi Chrome67,

    I had a problem with measurements when I was first diagnosed. On Ultrasound there can be a +-2mm difference between scans just becasue of how they are preformed and/or different machines.

    There are much bigger margins between US and MRI - so size - whilst important - is not necessarily an indicator of spread.

    Fibrocystic changes can occur because of hormones and are often benign. (I have a history of fibrocyctic breast disease and benign breast lumps from about 19 or 20). It sounds like the biopsy wasn't great - I'm sorry, that sounds awful. Purely guessing - I'd think the redness/swelling, pain and discharge is most likely connected to that.

    It's good you have an urgent appointment to see you breast surgeon. It's horrible waiting. Everyone will say try and distract yourself - it really does work - I have a door to finish sanding and then paint over the weekend. :) That and of course - treat yourself loads.

    It helps to bring any questions you have written down as even if they seem really obvious - I know I always forget things.

    Good Luck.

    Barbed.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2016

    I had bright red blood spontaneously discharging from my left nipple. Had absolutely nothing to do with my breast cancer which was at 6 o'clock on my chest wall. Go figure. I think it was nature's way of saying "hello, can you hear me NOW?" My whole breast was checked when it was taken off and there was nothing wrong with my nipple or anything attached to it.

    It does sound like your breast is reacting to the biopsy. Please keep us posted. We like good news...

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