Core Biopsy Negative - Do false negatives occur?

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Courtz
Courtz Member Posts: 11
edited February 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

Hey

I am 31yo in July and in early January I noticed a really large hard lump under my nipple and areola, so I asked my specialist physician (I am type 1 diabetic) for a referral to have it scanned. The Radiologist did a sonar, followed by a mammogram and gave me a BI-RAD of 4B in the suspicious range, and did a US guided core biopsy. He wasn't all that happy with the 4 samples he too, as they were small, because he battled to get a sample. The lump is as hard as a marble, so he had to put his full body weight into getting the needle in, then it got stuck as he pulled it out. this happened all 4 times. My Specialist sent me the results 2 days later, and everything came back as benign.

However, the lump seems to be increasing in size and my actual nipple is changing. Yesterday, I sent the results to a breast specialist I had previously seen (for my extremely dense diabetic breasts) and she immediately responded that she wants to see me this afternoon, and I must be honest, I am extremely anxious.

Are false negatives on a core biopsy a thing - I have had a really bad feeling about all of this since the start of this.

Any and all feedback would be much appreciated!

Comments

  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited February 2018

    Hi Courtz, yes, false negatives happen, but they are rare (about 1-2%). (It happened to me.) I'm glad you are going to see a specialist. She may suggest doing an excision if the negative biopsy is discordant with what she sees. I know it's hard but try not to worry too much. The saying, "Don't borrow trouble" is true here.

  • Courtz
    Courtz Member Posts: 11
    edited February 2018

    Thank you SummerAngel..., I appreciate the feedback. I have somewhat of an unlucky in health medical history, so I am very anxious, although trying to remain calm - not my virtue what-so-ever.

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