Excision of abnormal breast tissue

Kim, use the search function-there are lots and lots of threads on radial scar a/k/a complex sclerosing lesion. I believe there is about a 10-20% chance of having an "upgraded" diagnosis with your surgical biopsy. The surgical biopsy was actually easier than the core biopsy for me. Hang in there.

I have a radial scar too. Myexcisional biopsy is Monday. I had a rough time after the stereotactic biopsy, I attract uncommon complications... this one has got to be better! Did you get results yet?

Kimc319 -

I just noticed your post. I had a radial scar and some atypical cells were found (atypical ductal hyperplasia). I am 58 y.o. though. I asked my breast surgeon do I need to be on hormone therapy and he says no. He says it has too many side effects. I have read up on it though and am not sure. Of course I don't want to take that medication (Tamoxifen) as it can cause uterine cancer and eye problems. My sister died of a form of uterine cancer (uterine leiomyosarcoma) at the age of 40, they have no idea what caused it. I also have a bad back (lumbar spine). I had an epidural steroid injection into my lumbar spine last summer (Kenalog 40) a steroid and 10 days later I had abnormal bleeding after being menopausal for over 4 years. The shots are known to cause abnormal bleeding in premenopausal and in postmenopausal women. I had to go to get a trans-vaginal ultrasound to check my uterine lining as my doctor freaked out when I called the office. So I no longer will get those shots, the one I had didn't help anyway. (My uterine lining was fine and the bleeding stopped after about a week). My last gyn exam was fine in March. But it makes me think that my uterine lining is sensitive to certain medications...who knows?

I keep worrying about whether I should be on a medication though. I have to go back for another mammogram in 4-5 months. My mom is 81 years old and she never had a bad mammogram, she just had one 2 months ago. They told her everything was fine. She had no living sisters (one died at birth). My father's sisters never had bc, one of his sisters is still living and is about 88 years old. His other sister died of kidney cancer in her 80's. My dad died of a heart attack young. This is really stressing me out wondering about these hormone therapy medications though. I also read the A.I. hormone therapy causes joint pain....I already have severe arthritis in my lumbar spine with bone spurs (osteophytes).

p.s. I also had the "savi-scout" put in the week before surgery, they injected it with a big needle. My breast was sore afterwards. They removed it during the lumpectomy. I read it in my surgical pathology report. (I asked for the report before my doctor ran out the door). Doctors today don't spend much time with you from what I notice. (I also recorded the convo on my phone because he talks so fast and then runs out the door). Wanted to make sure I got all of the information down and wasn't about to start taking notes. They also made a mistake on my MRI report, I told the doctor about it and he said he would have if fixed but I bet it's still on there. The place is like an assembly line.

Jenn, I was dx’ed with ADH over 7 years ago at 53. I was perimenopausal at the time and turned down tamoxifen as I had had some prior endometrial hyperplasia. I waited until I was fully menopausal and then started taking Evista (also a SERM) which does not impact the uterus. In November it will be 4 years and no significant sideeffects. I do have some insomnia and hot flashes, but I had those before. You might want to ask if this is an option for you.

Jenn,

So sorry for your and your family’s experiences! I’m getting second opinion by actual breast Oncologist tomorrow as I’ve seen only breast suergeon who is also a general surgeon but does NOT specialize in Oncology: tbh whole thing happened so fast and I was so scared I just wanted to get ‘whatever’ out of my body! Had no idea if benign would be recommended to take Tamoxifen! While I ‘could’ lessen my chance of BC to < 10% x 15 year protection hopefully but also has some nasty side effects. I’m scared not to take it and scared to take it.

momoschki -

I think that they all have blood clot risks. Not sure. That is a big problem for me unfortunately.

I developed a DVT in the 7th week of my pregnancy. They later did all kinds of blood tests and could not figure out why it happened.