Another biopsy after treatment?

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l_brain
l_brain Member Posts: 71
edited March 2018 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hello,

I went in for my yearly mammogram after treatment and they found suspicious calcifications in the same breast. (Only have a couple Herceptin to go) They want to do another biopsy. I've had 2 lumpectomy surgeries, chemo, and radiation. How on earth could anything be alive in that breast? Anyone out there going through this? I'm just so disappointed. I thought I was done with this **it. Finally have energy and have taken up running I don't want to go down the surgery road again.

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited January 2018

    I am not in your situation, but I just wanted to give my support. I know you must be devastated at this news. I know in most cases microcalcifications are not an indication of cancer and I truly hope this is your case

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  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 71
    edited January 2018

    Thanks for the support VL22. I agree probably nothing. They told me the first time I had DCIS then changed to invasive after biopsy. So even though they say it's probably nothing I still can't help but think the worst.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2018

    Sorry you are dealing with this, but I am glad they are being very careful to monitor for recurrence. Hoping all is benign.

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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited January 2018

    Hugs to you. Sorry you are dealing with this.

    wallan

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  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 71
    edited January 2018

    Thanks. I have an appointment with my breast surgeon on Tuesday. (Was referred for biopsy by radiation doctor.) I'll see what he says. Seems to be a very low chance it is anything.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2018

    Great that it is a low chance. Biopsy will hopefully bring any lingering fear about this one to zero.

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  • katiegirl5
    katiegirl5 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2018

    Hi, I seem to be in a very similar boat as you are Ibrain and very similar timelines. I had lumpectomy and radiation two years ago and have been fine. Really saw this as over and that I was a survivor and have gotten on with my life and raising my son. I've been on Tamoxifen for almost 2 years and all mammograms have always been fine. I went for my yearly mammogram last Friday following 2 yr anniversary and they just called back Wed to say they need to do more imaging as found "questionable calcifications" by the scar tissue in same breast. Does anyone know how common this is? My rad-onc says that it is often not anything but they are just being overly cautious given history of breast cancer, which is good, but it is impossible not to be triggered or worry it's recurrence. I am in shock as really thought this was behind me. I've been looking online and it seems 50 50 that it's common for calcifications after radiation, but also worrisome to have them appear again in same breast. I feel great, go to the gym regularly and am back at work and have energy everyday. Trying to stay positive and hope for the best but also bracing that this could be indication of recurrence which seems unbelievable as I thought my prognosis was really good. Have to wait until next Tues for more imaging which is anguishing. Looking for reassurance if anyone has any.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2018

    Katiegirl,

    We wanted to stop by and say Welcome to our amazing Community. We're sorry you're here and worrying, but we're really glad you found us. You're sure to find many here who have experienced what you're going through, and can offer great advice and support.

    Please keep us posted on what you find out on Tuesday. We're all thinking of you!

    --The Mods

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  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 71
    edited January 2018

    Katiegirl,

    Sorry you are going through this too. I hope the additional images clear things up. Keep us posted.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2018

    katiegirl, hoping the additional imaging brings good news. Ultimately, a biopsy is sometimes needed to 100% confirm everything. I know the wait is anguishing. If you have a chance, fill out your profile information with tumor info and treatment info. It helps people commenting to know a bit more. Hoping you can stay distracted this weekend.


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2018

    I_brain, katiegirl - I had my yearly mammogram yesterday, and the tech said almost immediately not to worry if the radiologist requested more images. I was given the all clear yesterday, but last year I needed to have 2 spots biopsied. They were benign. I hope that soon you both have the same result.

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  • Lillo57
    Lillo57 Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2018

    I just went through this very thing. Had my two year anniversary mammo on 1/19 and had a birads 4 result, stating indeterminate calcifications. I was scheduled for a stereotactic biopsy. Needless to say, I was crippled with fear and cried non-stop. After chemo, surgery, radiation and 6 mos of xeloda I couldn't believe this was happening. The results were benign. It was one of the scariest weeks I've been through. Radiation and surgery cause many changes to breast tissue. If they're not clear cut , they have to be checked out. Hang in there.

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  • katiegirl5
    katiegirl5 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2018

    Thank you to all of you. I am so grateful to have found this group. I was extremely positive during my diagnosis two years ago as it was caught early, in a fairly uncanny way as I wasn't meant to go for a mammogram and stage 1. The call this week after my 2 yr screening slammed me into panic, when I thought this was all behind me. I have a 5 yr old son and it was awful enough going thru the shocking diagnosis when he was 3 yrs old. It seems implausible it could be a recurrence. I feel so well and life seem so 'normal'. I'm hoping that tues will bring reassurance to this harrowing week for me and my family. I have been trying hard to stay calm but you can't help but fear the worst when you get that call. It helps to hear that sometimes calcifications normal following radiation. Thank you and bless all you brave, kind women.

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  • katiegirl5
    katiegirl5 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2018

    Hello, Ibrain if you are seeing this wondering how you are doing? I didn't get the reassurance I was hoping for today and after more images I've also been referred for biopsy. Looks like a few more weeks of waiting and worrying ahead. This is all too familiar and I feel like life has blurred into slow motion once again, just after getting my stride back and thinking it was behind me. As a stage one early detection survivor I really didn't see this coming, certainly not this soon. By all counts a sobering reminder of the almost perpetual surveillance and degree of uncertainty we all must live with as survivors. Kbeee, Lillo, and Serenity I keep reading and re-reading your encouraging posts. You have no idea the reassurance they are giving me during this scary time.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2018

    Katie girl, hopingbthey schedule you soon, and that the results are benign

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  • katiegirl5
    katiegirl5 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2018

    Thanks, Karen, me too.

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  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 71
    edited January 2018

    Hi Katie,

    Sorry the additional images didn't clear things up for you. Hopefully the biopsy will. I met with my breast surgeon today and went over my mammogram pictures. He felt like the spots they were trying to biopsy would be very difficult for them to see with the equipment they use and feels they will not get a good biopsy reading at this point. (basically that they would be taking a biopsy in the general area) He thinks the chance of malignancy is low and would recommend another mammogram in 3 months to see if there are any changes. He also said radiation could cause calcifications. He felt like the radiation doctor ordering it was being cautious, but didn't feel like the pictures warranted a biopsy at this point. With that said he would support a biopsy if I chose. I am undecided, but leaning towards waiting 3 months. If they can't get an accurate test what is the point. He feels you have one shot to biopsy an area. It's not what I wanted to hear. I was ready to have the biopsy and get the results. I canceled my biopsy for Thursday and am going to think about it. I'm more confused now then before.

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  • katiegirl5
    katiegirl5 Member Posts: 8
    edited January 2018

    Hi lbrain,

    Firstly, it's very promising that they feel the chance of malignancy is low AND that it didn't warrant biopsy at this point. I hope you can hold on to that positivity throughout this.

    I completely empathize with the complicated choice ahead of you at this point though. How confusing to have to make sense of this without clear info to truly make an informed choice. That alone is so stressful. God, it is not ever simple, is it? Is there any opportunity to also speak to an oncologist? There doesn't seem to be a real urgency which I again see as reassuring. At minimum, we know they are keeping a cautious eye on us. While not fullproof by any means that gives me a bit of solace.

    Wishing you all the best with the decision about where to go from here. Remember to take your time and not feel pressure to jump. I guess depends on if you feel you can live with this for 3 months reasonably? Hope you can make the one that gives you the most peace of mind (if at all really achievable with what we are facing!) While we are virtual strangers I am thinking of you as we are united in the fact that we are human beings out here going thru similar trauma right now. Hang in there.

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  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 71
    edited January 2018

    Hi Katie,

    Thanks for the support. It's promising news for sure. I did see my oncologist and he said to talk to my surgeon before scheduling the biopsy. My concern is that they originally watched suspicious calcifications and when they finally decided on surgery my small DCIS was actually a fairly large DCIS and some invasive cancer. My surgeon was not expected that from the mammograms, biopsy results, or MRI pictures. So the only reason I'm not going ahead with the biopsy is the possibility it will not be accurate and mess up a future biopsy. I feel comfortable waiting 3 months, but if nothing changes I'll still be in the dark. There are no easy answers in this whole journey that is for sure. It's just a gamble. Keep us posted on your test results.

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  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2018

    Hi Katie,

    Just wondering if you had the additional images taken and what they thought? Take care.

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  • katiegirl5
    katiegirl5 Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2018

    Hi all,

    I had the biopsy last Tues and got the great news today that all is clear. So I am living proof that clusters of calcifications can indeed be benign even when they send you for biopsy. I think I went thru almost every emotion these past 3 weeks. Some of the scariest weeks I've ever gone thru and so grateful that I am not having to put life on hold again for cancer, just as I felt l was getting it back. Thank you to all of you women for taking the time to support another woman you never met but going thru something you could all relate to. You all helped me get my 'warrior game on', as KBeee called it, these past 3 harrowing weeks. Ibrain how are you doing with your own decision? I have thought of you as I walked through the agonizing waiting for test results. I also asked them last week if they only had a certain window for biopsies as they had a bit of a hard time with my tissues and I thought of you and the radiologist said no and that they preferred to always biopsy if they aren't sure. Wishing you much peace of mind soon.

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  • Lillo57
    Lillo57 Member Posts: 16
    edited February 2018

    Katiegirl, been thinking of you everyday and so happy to hear all is clear.

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  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2018

    Katie,

    So glad to hear all is clear! I'm o.k. with the decision to wait 3 months. I think I will probably end up doing a biopsy at that time. Take care.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2018

    katiegirl - Excellent news!

    I_brain - Good luck! Try to focus on other things. I know it can be hard.

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  • katiegirl5
    katiegirl5 Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2018

    Thank you all, for everything.

    Ibrain I wish you all the best with things ahead.

    Please keep us posted and try to keep busy.

    I think it's reassuring they aren't doing anything at all urgent.

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