Confusing pathology report

Options
Virgo59
Virgo59 Member Posts: 8
edited June 2018 in Benign Breast Conditions

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to make sense of the report I received and I'm hoping someone can help me. First, it's not very detailed. It's labeled "final", but there seems to be so much information missing. This report is a detailed description of the CNB and the post-procedure mammogram which was done for marker placement. It shows histology as "left breast mass, 8-9:00, 3 cm from nipple, demonstrates intraductal papilloma. If this is "final" I was expecting to see the word diagnosis and that is no where on the report. After histology it lists "impression". The impression is "percutaneous ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of the left breast. The histologic findings are "high risk and concordant." What does that mean? It then says "surgical consultation for possible excision is recommended." Further down it says "Pathology Classification: High Risk".

According to this report, have I received an official diagnosis or are they speculating? Even with insurance I paid $55 for the mammogram, $245 for the sonogram and almost fainted when they told me my share for the biopsy was $600. Less than $1,000 may seem like peanuts to some, but it's not when you're on a tight budget and wasn't expecting any of this. Now, I've been scheduled to see a breast surgeon. If my condition is benign, why does the report mention "high risk"? I'm seriously considering leaving the mass there. There is no history of breast cancer in my family and prior to the mammogram the only problem I had was s shooting pain every now and then. I always thought it was from my implants, but those are 13 years old. I thank God the report doesn't mention cancer, but again is an "impression" the same thing as a "diagnosis"? Does anyone speak wtf? lol.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Jeri64
    Jeri64 Member Posts: 49
    edited May 2018

    Hi Virgo59, Sounds like they're recommending an excisional biopsy. I had one last Friday. My mammo showed new calcifications in my left breast, so I had a stereotactic biopsy which came back benign, but they still suggested I have an excisional biopsy because of my history. (cancer in right breast 2010-lumpectomy) So, I went to my breast surgeon who told me he wanted to do the excisional biopsy just to be sure there was not cancer "hiding" anywhere. I'm not really sure what all the other stuff in the report means. Sorry I can't be more help.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited May 2018

    Hi Virgo. I think our very valuable member DJ Mammo is back online, so try looking for a thread called "interpreting your report" and post your question there. He is super helpful. In the meantime, as a layman, I agree with Jeri. It all appears benign but they're recommending you talk to a surgeon about possibly removing a cluster of cells that look pre-cancerous in some way.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Virgo59
    Virgo59 Member Posts: 8
    edited May 2018

    Hi Jeri64 and Georgia1. Thank you so much for trying to help me figure this out. I just thought since no cancer was found I wouldn't have to do anything for another year so when they scheduled me to see a breast surgeon I was floored, but your explanations make perfect sense. Thanks again!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cattledoglv
    cattledoglv Member Posts: 72
    edited May 2018

    80% or more of breast cancers are in women with no family history. I had a biopsy and it was “b9”. The lump was painful so I opted for it to be removed in an excisional biopsy. They found ADH inside the b9 tumor. It’s very possible that would have turned into cancer someday if I left it in there.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Virgo59
    Virgo59 Member Posts: 8
    edited May 2018

    Cattledoglv thank you so much for the info. My appointment with the breast surgeon is next week. Not sure what she'll recommend, but I know even with insurance I can't afford another expense with now. I pray she'll recommend waiting another 6 months to a year to see what the next mammogram will show.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Blondlady
    Blondlady Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2018

    I had a stereotactic biopsy last Thursday for calcifications. If it comes back benign, do they always do an excisional biopsy?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited June 2018

    They only do an excisional biopsy if there are specific findings like atypia found on the stereotactic biopsy, or every once in a while if benign findings are discordant with the imaging

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories