Told I have cancer without even a biopsy

Hi! That happened to me, too. It was terrifying. My radiologist told me that even if they biopsy came back negative, she was so sure it was cancer she'd suggest treatment. Ouch!

I'm now through surgery and started chemo yesterday. The time you are in right now is the worst part so far. You'll get through it, and you can do this, even though it feels so scary right now. Hang in there, and know you are not alone!

While radiologist was going over diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound, I asked her outright the likelihood that it was cancer based upon her years of clinical experience. She said 75%. It was indeed malignant. The needle biopsy had already been scheduled for following week.

ETA: Radiologist said tumor would need to be removed even if benign because of the vascular activity and other factors.

Somewhat a similar experience.The Radiologist took me to her office to talk. Initially I was told to get dressed and she would come into the examining room. The nurse came back and said she wanted to do an Ultrasound which included my underarm on the side of the lump. Then I was brought to the doctor's office. She said that she wanted me to get a biopsy because what she saw looked very much like cancer, she said only the biopsy could confirm it but she was used to looking at these types of images. I knew from how she was talking to me that she felt for certain it was cancer. And it was. That's why she immediately checked under my arm in case there was any sign of lymph involvement. It was a tough weekend while waiting but a week from the mammo and ultrasound...and two days after the biopsy...I got the call call. Cancer.

tld- once you have all the info and a plan you will be okay and you will feel more in control. The early days are hardest. I am close to finishing chemo. I receive my last infusion the end of January and then I start radiation since I had a lumpectomy. At the end of July I was in the same position as you. But now here I am. It's hard and stressful- no one here will sugarcoat what having this diagnosis is like but everyone would most likely say the treatment is doable. You are not alone. You can and will get through it. You've stumbled into a great place for support and information. I wish you the best.

My doctor /radiologist told me I had cancer as well before the biopsy.

This was at Roswell a top 50 cancer center. They actually explained the biopsy confirms what they already know/see from the MRI or Mammo.

Good luck. I was gas they set my expectations. When I got the call over the pbone to tell me it was cancer, I was prepared

It was still a shock, but I was glad she prepped me.

I hope all goes well with you

My RO told me - did mammo, told to go sit in waiting room again. Watched women come and go and new I was in trouble. Called back for US. I remember counting the ceiling tiles - 33 total. Put in office and then RO came in and said I needed to get a biopsy. She said it could be something besides cancer, but she was confident it was. Got the call on my 45th birthday. That period was the worst in my life.

The good news is that it was found early and I’m almost done treatment- getting ready to start rads.

My radiologist is a friend, and he too called me back for an ultrasound and told me it was a spiculated mass, and he felt sure it was IDC, and that I could have a lumpectomy and radiation and be finished with it. That is indeed what the biopsy showed, but when I saw the BS, he gave me a lot more options, and because of a family history of BC, my age, and huge breasts, I opted for BMX. Everyone is correct - this is the worst part. Once you’ve decided what to do and have a plan, you’ll feel much more in control.

As it turned out, my surgical labs changed to ILC, and my OncotypeDX was 24. A lot of people with this score choose not to do chemo, but I knew I’d worry constantly if I didn’t, so did 4 rounds of TC. I was only in the hospital overnight with the BMX, no real trouble at all with it, and had a pretty easy time with chemo. Finished that in July, and my hair is a couple of inches long. No radiation necessary, no lymph node involvement.

I don’t say this to frighten you, but to assure you that you’ll get thru this, and you’ll really feel much more in control once you have a plan

I knew it was probably cancer after I got the call to come back in after my mammo. Never happened before. The nurse told me one breast was larger than the other. Game over. I was prepared for the worst even before the biopsy. Didn’t change the outcome except the shock that follows after THE call confirming the DX.

The next weeks thereafter I was in a fog. The process goes quickly. Lumpectomy followed by 33 radiation treatments. No chemo because Oncotype score was 11. 5 years on Tamoxifen

I’m 6 years out last August. No guarantees but guardingly optimistic.

Diane

tld2017, welcome to our Community, and thank you all wonderful ladies for your great responses and support.

tld2017, please let us know how you're doing and how was biopsy. We know the waiting is hard, but trying to keep calm and keep yourself distracted will help. And whatever the results come out to be, you'll find support and encouragement here.

We're thinking of you!

Best wishes,

The Mods

Just wanted to let you know rads don't hurt. My skin got red like a sunburn after about 4 weeks but I got some really great stuff to put on my skin from the radiation nurses that I couldn't get at the drugstore that really helped. My rads sessions were 15 min long.

I think I wasn't supposed to wear deoderant during the sessions or lotion, but that was it. I did have to get 5 small pinprick tattoos so they could see where to radiate. That was during the prep session, then it was 15 min 5 days a week. A kind of non-event esp after chemo.

Here's hoping you get the best possible news from this!

There are threads (you can use search function) for long term survivors (e.g. with positive nodes, etc.) who tell their stories and how long its been since they were orignally dx--some weigh in with decades of remission, so you might look for those.

Hugs

Claire

When I went into have an ultra sound. I guess they had it backwards. I needed a mammogram first! I felt a lump.... two different doctors said oh you're too young it's a cyst, lets watch it! It stayed the same and waxed and wained. Then within a few weeks, it doubled in size. I went right away, I went from mammo....to ultra sound with an hour. While in the ultra sound, I knew myself of what I was seeing. I saw a few bean like tumors under my arm, exactly like a kidney Bean. The mass on the screen of the tumor in my breast looked like an eaten skull with tentacles and holes with weird shapes and clusters that were hard and didn't move anymore. I knew then also. The doctor came and looked around himself. Then I went straight into the office, less than thirty mins later there he was on his knee, in front of me with that I am sorry look in his eyes. He said “we need an immediately biopsy". I said “when", he said “half an hour here right now." “ I believe it's important “.

I went in for the biopsy that day. It felt like I was being shot....six times under my arm, and six around the tumor in my breast. 4cm. Hurt for at least a month, honestly felt like I was shot. I had the results two days later. Full left mastectomy after 4 ac heavy bear chemos then liver resection at the same time...a small tumor was found also. Was Ned! Went into 9 more abraxane chemos. Lost my hair a second time. Miserable. Found out... during all that. Traveled to my bones. Not too many though thank goodness. They have great treatments. And I am in remission thank goodness. But there isvery little there. It hurt sometimes. But I live well! I am a strange stage four. But always listen to your bodies ladies. They speak the truth. I was sick for a long time and didn't know why. I shouldn't have listened to those two doctors. I guess deep down I was afraid. Go as soon as you sense anything is different. I am strong and have been stage four for two years now. I am doing great. But it's been a long hard tough road. Don't ever give up. Ever. Don't ever let others tell what to do with your own body! Much love ~M~