Excisional Biopsy Concerns

Ga_eul · March 2017

Hi,

I am 23 years old and over the past 2 years I have been getting breast ultrasounds to monitor several lumps in my right breast. Two of the lumps are around 1cm and the third has grown from 1x1cm to about 2x3cm since I first started getting checked. My doctor believes that it is a benign fibroadenoma but now recommends that I get the 3cm lump removed. I was also told that having fibroadenomas does not mean I will get cancer nor will my chance of getting cancer increase so I am not very concerned about any health risks in that regard. I am more concerned about the after effects of having the lump removed on the physical appearance of the breast. I have relatively small breasts, 34B, and with the lump taking up most of that space I am worried that having the lump removed will make it drastically smaller. It was already mentioned by another doctor that in removing it a lot of breast mass will be lost. Because of this fear I am hesitant in deciding to have the lump removed. However, I am also worried that leaving the lump in will eventually distort the breast anyway as the lump gets bigger over time. Does anyone have any advice or is willing to share their experience with having lumps removed? Was your size or appearance effected? If it was, how did you cope with it?

Castigame · March 2017

hello,

As someone recently had somewhat similar experience, I strongly recommend you to get the biopsy done ASAP. This way you will get better answer to your concern. I pray that they are benign. If just if they turned out to be something more serious, it is better to nip it ASAP now. You are very young. There lots of options.

As for me, I was told about 10 yrs ago i may need biopsy due to dense breasts. I have been getting mamos since my early 30s. Shoudla coulda. Recent mamo was BAM ! I had to face consequences as a result. I made the right choice for me in terms no recon.

Due to family history, I cannot afford to have them redone. I was flat chested before this bomb exploded and I still am. I even feel liberated.

Lastly, attitude is more than 50% of the battle for anything in life.

Please excuse my rant. Based on your username, I felt kindred spirit.

Sincerely,

임미연

Anonymous · March 2017

I just had an excisional biopsy for a 4 cm lump. I also have small breasts, B cup. (The procedure was not bad at all by the way, this was my first surgery so I was VERY nervous! Only needed the pain meds for a couple of days, and needed to wear a comfortable sports bra 24/7 for a few days)

Similar to what your surgery would be, removal of the lump only and NOT any surrounding tissue (you should confirm this with your surgeon - tell them you do NOT want them to take extra breast tissue if cancer is not suspected), what my breast surgeon told me was that because there is no surrounding breast tissue being taken, there should not be an indentation long term. She said that in her experience, once the lump is removed, it may take a little while but the natural breast tissue that previously had been kind of smooshed/squeezed aside by the lump will re-fill in that empty space. She said it make take a few weeks or months but I should expect no cosmetic issues other than the scar (and they do a pretty good job now with small excision scars like this)

She said that lumpectomies where cancer is suspected and they take surrounding natural breast tissue are more likely to result in a minor deformation of the breast.

Synergy · March 2017

I had one this year, without any sedatives or anything else. At first I was concerned because it left an indentation, but that has now filled in.

I am now high risk, so that is fun to worry about. I am now more worried about the multiple xrays and mammeos this yearmore than anything. Hope I never have to do that again!

Excisional Biopsy Concerns

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