If 80% are benign...

I would say you probably don't fall into that 80% anymore. They did say it was cancer, did they? I also had an indent as well, quite a big one, I googled and searched and tried to find if it could be something else but I couldn't find anything. I understand how you are trying to do the same.

How long do you have to wait for the results? I had mine 24 hours after the biopsy.

Waiting is the worst! The worst ☹️

Hi Mojojennijo,

The "80%" number is for all biopsies. However it is possible to carve off "chunks" of that 80%, based on the radiologists assessment of the particular imaging that led to the biopsy. That's where the "BIRADs" ratings come in (a description of the various BIRADs ratings is "here").

BIRADs ratings have two purposes. The first is to give the referring doc information in a standardized way, which will communicate how likely it is to be a cancer. Insurance companies sometimes (always?) use that rating to determine whether a biopsy will be covered by their policies. And the referring doc who gets the imaging report will make a call as to whether a biopsy is called for, increased surveillance, or just standard screening. This is likely the report your pcp had when he called you. And you want to ask him for a copy of the report.

The second purpose of the BIRADs rating (as I've read about it) is quality control for radiologists. As they review their ratings vs. the actual results of biopsies over time, they can improve their ability to read breast imaging successfully.

We're clearly more interested in the first purpose. The BIRADs rating on your imaging reports would allow us to give you a better numerical sense of the likelihood that you have BC. For instance, a BIRADs 4 rating is 2% to 95%. If they break it down to 4a, 4b or 4c, you will have three separate sub-categories inside the "4" category. A BIRADs 5 is 95% or more likely to have BC.

But even if you're in the "95% likely to have BC" category, there are still women whose images get that rating who don't have cancer. For each of us, it's either all or none. We either have it or we don't. So while it may be likely, more likely than not, or whatever, you won't know for sure until after your biopsy.

HTH,

LisaAlissa

Hate to say this, but your doctor is most likely right. When I got called back for mammo and ultrasound, the radiologist came right out at the end of the ultrasound and said it was cancer. These docs can tell which are the "for sure" ones from the images. They are very experienced at this. I said to her, I guess you wouldn't be telling me if you weren't sure, to which she replied, "God, no!" Luckily I had my biopsy the next day but I went through the following week waiting for the biopsy results as being pretty sure it would be positive. The other ladies are right, the waiting is the hardest part. I've had lots of biopsies due to another condition I have so I am experienced at waiting, but it never gets any easier. Good luck! There is so much support for you here on this forum

Sorry this has been such a confusing process. The radiologist who performs your us was mad as he/she's not seen anything that he/she would consider imaging suggesting that you have bc. The radiologist who read your MRI however, believes that he/she did. It is confusing when different experts disagree, however, they were evaluating completely different types of imaging technologies. Getting the biopsy done and pathology back will be the deciding piece of evidence, so I'm glad that it will be done in the next day or two and you can move forward - in whichever direction the pathology points. Keeping positive thoughts for you and sending gentle ((Hugs))

I (almost) had an MRI guided biopsy. I say that because they did the MRI (of my right breast), and the Dr. said that there was nothing there to biopsy. I did not have anything in my right breast that looked like dcis/cancer.

The MRI process was just like you described

I had an MRI biopsy.

You get the IV for contrast. They MRI scan you first, then pull you out and put your breast into this weird grid compression thingy (very scientific of me, I know :-)

Then they numb you, make the incision and then somehow mark the place inside, then put you back into the MRI to check the placement. Then they pull you out and do the actual biopsy outside of the MRI machine. I can't remember if they pushed the contrast both times or just once. Hmm.

Not going to lie, it's kind of a weird experience compared to a core biopsy. But I wouldn't be afraid to do it again. I appreciated that I was face down and couldn't see anything although I did get a little panicky at one point. I remember one of the MRI techs coming over to sort of rub my back to soothe me when the doctor was doing the biopsy. But with the core biopsy, the Ultrasound screen was right in front of my face, so watching the needle go into the tumor on the screen was not something I really needed to see...

My 2cents, holding out hope from the beginning was not a bad thing. I did too. Now that it is a bit more definitive, you still have to wait until the pathology comes back to see exactly what you are dealing with, then you can move forward. Until then Saying not to worry I know is not ideal. I will say, try to take deep breathes when you can. I literally worried myself 10lbs off of myself. Had no appetite, drank very little too. Wish I could have taken my own advice. . Wish I man would have to get mammos of their junk. Maybe that would teach them to take in consideration body parts when they design things.

Sending you all kinds of positive energy! Going to your happy place sounds like a most excellent plan.