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Good luck and keep us posted. We are all here for you...

so sorry that you are going this I’m surprised they didn’t ultrasound the lump first? I’m assuming it’s not a lymph node otherwise they wouldn’t remove it... I don’t think. Take comfort in the fact that things are moving so quickly and in a few days it will Be out and you will know exactly what you are dealing with x

I don't understand why the rush to "get it out of there ASAP" when they don't know it isn't benign. Normally a biopsy is done first before they go whacking pieces out of you unnecessarily.

I also don't understand the recommendation for surgical (excisional) biopsy as a first step, with no prior imaging of any kind and no prior minimally-invasive biopsy. I think a second opinion would be advisable.

(Although I had a surgical biopsy on one side, this was recommended only AFTER imaging located an area of sufficient suspicion, it was detectable by mammography only, and the area could not be physically accessed by the core-needle/mammography biopsy apparatus.)

You mentioned in your first post that this referral was to a General Surgeon. Some general surgeons do a variety of surgical procedures, and do not focus on treatment of breast cancer. Please consider seeking a second opinion from a breast surgeon who is a general surgeon specializing in the treatment of breast cancer patients as essentially all of his/her practice. They may also have further training in surgical oncology. To find such a specialist, look for a facility with a Comprehensive Breast Center, with both diagnostic imaging and treatment capabilities. In the USA, many look for an NCI-designated cancer center: https://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-centers/find

Confirm in-network for insurance purposes.

Why a second opinion? Because if it was a suspected cancerous lymph node containing invasive breast cancer cells (due to regional spread; i.e., "clinically node-positive"), then often a Fine-Needle Aspiration ("FNA") or core-needle biopsy is feasible and is performed.

Could surgery in the underarm area impact the success of a subsequent "sentinel node biopsy" ("SNB")? Sentinel node biopsy is an axillary staging procedure indicated in essentially all patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. It samples one or a few underarm lymph nodes for the presence of breast tumor cells, and provides information about whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the underarm. It is used to assess pathologic stage, which in turn is used to determine the most appropriate treatment plan. This procedure requires intact lymph channels, which may potentially be disrupted by some surgeries in the area. [Edited this paragraph to add more detail.]

Imaging (e.g., ultrasound) may clarify whether the lump is a lymph node or is breast tissue (which can extend into the area next to the breast). Imaging may provide useful information that better informs next steps, such as further imaging of the breast itself by mammography or MRI, and based on that, whether minimally-invasive biopsy is feasible and may be recommended prior to any surgical procedure.

ER, PR and HER2 status can be determined from minimally-invasive biopsy material, and this information may also further inform recommended treatment plan and sequence. For example, given the size estimate (possibly over 2 cm), in some cases, particularly with "triple-negative" (ER- PR- HER2-) or with "HER2-positive" invasive breast cancer, then "neoadjuvant" systemic drug therapy may be recommended PRIOR to surgical removal. Many such patients consult with a Medical Oncologist (specialist in cancer drug treatment) PRIOR to surgical removal to discuss whether they are a candidate for such treatment. But if the primary tumor is removed by surgery first, then the option of neoadjuvant systemic treatment (which has certain advantages) is no longer available.

BarredOwl

yep I agree with above BC is not normally a medical emergency as its usually slow growing. Depending on the size and how many sushi g to remove could leave a permanent disfigured i would def seek a second s opinion or tell current guy you want to do a core needle biopsy as suggested above. The rush to remove the cyst first is not say dats protocol especially since your not sure if it is cancer. Not all DR have strictly the patients best interest at heart there are bad apples in every profession.

Best wishes to you for B9 results

Agreed. This entire process seems strange. After reading many, many accounts of other people on here - I can't imagine why any surgeon would jump immediately to surgery.

I think you received the comments you got because you asked in your original post: "Anyone have any input?"

Best,

BarredOwl