Immediate Biopsy at Mammogram and Ultrasound

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Roots
Roots Member Posts: 19
edited March 2018 in Waiting for Test Results

I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and can tell me if I should be alarmed by this. I went in for a mammo and ultrasound today. I have a large lump thats not moveable, and a cluster closer to my armpit. Also in the past two week, my nipple has started dimpling inward. I have dr googled a bit and know that a mass or cyst of any kind can cause dimpling, regardless of if it's benign or not. What had me particularly concerned though, is that after mammo and the ultrasound, the tech who was very friendly asked me to sit tight for minute while she showed the radiologist and then I could go. (at this point I was a bit worried bc i've had many test done due to past thyroid cancer, and never have they consulted with the radiologist immediately) 5 minutes later, the tech came in with the radiologist and he said he wanted to do core biopsies right away. 3 of each lump and 3 from lymph nodes. I was really nervous all of the sudden and didn;t ask any questions - obvious ones like 'what makes you want to biopsy?' He said he was doing extra ones on the lymph nodes so that I wouldn;t need to come back again in the future. When I think back on it, I wonder if that;s because he's assuming cancer, and wants to look at potential spread now while he had me there. Or maybe I'm just spinning?

So my question is, should I feel more worried that he came in immediately to do it. Would this be because he sees a hightened reason to do it right away? Has anyone else experienced this and had benign results come back? I've always heard that you go for tests and get a call back if they want to do biopsies or other follow ups.

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

    Dear Roots,

    Welcome to the community. We are sorry that you are going through this and hear your questions regarding the process. We don't know if anyone here can truly answer your questions but certainly would understand your need to have them answered. Uncertainty while waiting for results and answers can reek havoc. We hope that you received some definitive news soon. Please keep us posted. The Mods

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited March 2018

    Hi Roots,

    I had a similar experience. I was called back for another mammo and they informed me I also needed an ultrasound. The tech called in the Radiologist to see the ultrasound and she asked for permission to biopsy right then. That does NOT mean you do or don't have cancer, it just means they see something that concerns them.

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

    It means they are concerned, but also that you are at a facility that can do it right away. That means less waiting. Hoping you get results soon. Keep us posted. Hoping you get good news

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  • Roots
    Roots Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2018

    Thank you everyone for your replies. It is nice to have someone to bounce my thoughts off of. I'm driving myself a little crazy. It's like I can;t think of anything else.

    Is it standard procedure to biopsy lymph nodes as the same time as the masses, if there is no swelling or anything in the lymph nodes? He said they were not enlarged but still biopsied them anyway...

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited March 2018

    I was sent for a diagnostic mammogram when I found the lump in my breast. They sent me for US directly afterwards and scanned the lymph nodes under my arm then as well. I was told that two nodes were enlarged.

    I'm not sure about why they would biopsy nodes that look normal. Do you have your reports? Maybe there's something in there that would help to clarify that.

    I guess it's good to get the biopsy right away, but it sure doesn't give you any time to prepare yourself!


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  • Veeder14
    Veeder14 Member Posts: 880
    edited March 2018

    The doctors can't tell for sure without a biopsy. I had normal looking lymph nodes removed from my upper leg, but one ended up being positive. So I'm glad they checked.

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  • Roots
    Roots Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2018

    @NotVeryBrave, no report back yet. I was told my doc should have it very soon, but i'm trying not to be annoying and waiting for the doc to call and say she has it. Honestly though, if I don't hear back by tomorrow, I'll probably cave and go in to the office to see if it's arrived and if I can have a copy. I really regret not asking questions yesterday when they started biopsying - I was just a bit shocked I think.





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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited March 2018

    I was just going to add that I had a biopsy in my BS's office last week right after an ultrasound, which followed a mammo showing calcifications. I loved that he could do it right away--it saved me having to make another appointment and delay the process even more. I wouldn't make assumptions--it was just more convenient all the way around to do it right then.

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  • CBOK
    CBOK Member Posts: 73
    edited March 2018

    I was sent by my GP to imaging for mammo and US. After the mammo, they set me in the US room for a bit, then came back and got me for another "spot focus" mammo. Then after US she told me that they'd want to do biopsy and could right then if I had time. I had it done right then so I could move forward with as little time between not knowing as possible. My biopsy was at 11am on a Monday and the radiologist called me Wednesday afernoon at 1pm. Not knowing is awful so the least amount of time waiting the better. Good or bad.

    Best wishes

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  • Roots
    Roots Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2018

    Diagnosis according to radiologist report: "multifocal multicentric malignancy of the left breast with axillary adenopathy. BIRADS 5." There;s a whole bunch more that describes each mass, but ultimately, that's the bottom line opinion of the radiologist.


    Doc says 'hope for the best, prepare for the worst'. which is not encouraging to me. Maybe i'm being negative?

    I just keep thinking of how i would tell me kids. 5 and 8. But nothing is sure until i get the biopsy results back right?

    Anyone else reading this have the multifocal, multicentric thing going on?

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

    My recurrent cancer was multifocal.

    I have 3 kids. They were 9, 11, and 13 my first time. I was just honest. I said I had breast cancer and that my prognosis was very good. Both grandmothers have had breast cancer and are doing great 20 years later, so I had easy examples to point to. I explained that I'd have surgery and chemotherapy, and we came up with some simple things they could do to help me once treatment started (this gives them a sense of control). They made a list each week of what foods they wanted for lunches. We made sure they were in the house, and they started packing their own lunches (they still do). This was easier for me and they loved packing what they wanted (we had some guidelines). No more thrown away food. I said I'd still get them to their activities and make their events. Honestly, if there is food on their table and you get them where they need to be, their life goes on pretty normal. I had friends help with meals and carpooling, and my kids just went with the flow. I kept a calm, cool demeanor (around them...I went for walks when I needed to cry or cool of from frustration), and that set the tone.

    Hoping yours comes back benign, but prepare for anything and everything. And NEVER turn down help. When someone says "What can I do"? Give them a date to bring a meal, or a day they can drive your kids, or a day to come help with household tasks. People WANT to help; let them. You help them not feel helpless, and it helps you. Win. Win.

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