Excisional Biopsy? Or what?

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cathybee1
cathybee1 Member Posts: 21
edited January 2018 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

I had my first abnormal mammo, showing microcalcifications in October. After a stereoscopic biopsy of 1 of the 2 small clusters found on the mammo and 3 weeks of deliberation, the pathology report came back with a few cells showing ALH. My family doc referred me to a MO to discuss Tamoxifen, who referred me to a BS to discuss excisional biopsy., I'm meeting with the BS first. Meanwhile, the radiologist issued a second report showing concordance and I had a breast MRI that came back normal. I read on Pubmed that in Europe in 2015, there was consensus that follow up with a diagnosis of AH is a vacuum assisted biopsy, not excisional. I will discuss this with the surgeon, but thinking perhaps before any more cutting into me, it might be better to get a second opinion on the pathology? Also wondering if anyone did have a VAB as a follow up to AH?

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  • Lisabettina
    Lisabettina Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2018

    Hello Cathy,

    My situation is similar to yours. Two doctors told me that the standard procedure was excisional biopsy, while three told me it was NOT necessary. I thus, decided NOT to have one. I live in Europe, where treatments are slightly different. The doctors here advised me not to use Tamoxifen for the ADH that my biopsy showed, but the American and Canadian doctors I contacted advised me to use that or Raxolifene. We are going to use a Watch and Wait approach here. How old are you?

    All the best,

    Lisabettina

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  • Silbar
    Silbar Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2018

    Cathybee~ You stated that you just had a stereotactic biopsy which I believe is a vacuum assisted procedure. The next step would be an excisional biopsy. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

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  • cathybee1
    cathybee1 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2018

    I am happy to be corrected. I thought there was a difference in needle size between the two and therefore the size of the sample.

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  • cathybee1
    cathybee1 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2018

    Great news. Just got a call from the oncologist who talked to the BS. The BS said that the needle size used was large enough that they don't think I need excisional biopsy now, but can wait and watch.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited January 2018

    Yay! That's awesome. Fingers crossed for continued good news.

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  • Silbar
    Silbar Member Posts: 163
    edited January 2018

    That is fantastic news!!!!

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