Stereotactic breast biopsy experience

Aya0827 · February 2020

Hi all,

I spent so much time on these boards before going to get my stereotactic biospy done looking for information and details on how were previous people experiences that I felt I had to come back afterwards and post about my own experience to re-assure other ladies going in for the first time!

About me: 34 y/o no children. 2 weeks ago, I was found microcalcifications upper right of right breast rated Birads 4b and that's where the anxiety and panic started! I was referred for a steteotactic biopsy and went in for it 2 days later after doing some research and reading all about it. As soon as I entered the room and saw that table with the hole in it I started feeling anxious and started crying (I cry at the dentist!) and the radiologist who was going to perform the procedure starting talking to me about the risks and how having breast implants made it a bit more difficult for her etc. and the panic took over I legit ran away from that place.

I was so shaken that day and that's when we came up with a plan with my husband that we needed to find a better facility where I felt confident I was going to get proper care and follow up afterwards no matter what the results are! Scheduled an appointment then at another hospital where they first wanted to redo the magnified mammo to get better views of the calcifications. I immediately felt better and knew I was taken good care of.

When I went in later for the biopsy my doctor had prescribed me an anti-anxiety to make sure I am more calm!

The whole procedure went so smooth! Please all of you just make sure you feel taken care of and don't worry about that part!

The doctor + 1 nurse + 2 techs were here the entire time explaining what they were doing. I personally much preferred that this location was doing it sitting on a chair with a back pillow vs that table, your face is turned the other way so you don't see anything anyway!.

After placing me on the chair and taking the mammo pictures to make sure they are in the right position to extract the samples, It started with numbing first the skin which is a slight pinch THEN numbing the breast which I almost did not feel. They then work on my breast for a few minutes: you feel pressure yes but really 0 pain it's more awkward than anything.

Went home after that and relaxed for the rest of the day while ICING and ICING all day!! Following day I woke up with a bit of soreness so took ma Tylenol and iced it again for 2 hours. After that I was fine enough to go for a walk and lunch outside. I could have gone to work that day it just happened to be a Saturday! I took off the bandage on Sunday to shower and left the steri strips. Skin looks a bit blue-ish like a mild bruising situation.

Now waiting for the results and praying but at least it makes me feel good that I did all I could and it is in the hands of God!

My conclusion is to just please stop worrying about the biopsy itself, it adds to the anxiety levels! I know easier said than done but hoping seeing my post would comfort some! We women somehow find the strength always!

Happy to answer questions if anyone has any!

MelissaDallas · February 2020

Aya, depending on where they are trying to biopsy, it may not be possible to do the biopsy in a seated position, so this is not something that women can just request.

Aviva92 · February 2020

When I got a stereotactic biopsy, the microcalcifications they were targeting were near the chest wall. I think that made it more painful. It was much more painful than the ultrasound guided needle biopsy I got recently and even more painful than the excisional biopsy I recently got since I was asleep for that.

The good news was, once it was over, it was over with a stereotactic biopsy. There is was no pain afterwards and it healed to have no scarring, but to say that the procedure itself is painless would be an untrue statement for me. I wasn't given the option to be in a seated position. I'm guessing it might not have been an option for me with the area so close to the chest wall.

good luck with your results.

Moderators · February 2020

Dear Aya0827,

Welcome to the BCO community. We appreciate that you reached out to share your story and we wish you the very best with your results. Please keep us posted.

The Mods

Beesie · February 2020

Not all facilities are equipped to do stereotactic biopsies using either the table or the chair - I think some have one or the other. I've had stereotactic biopsies done at a couple of different facilities and always in the chair, which seems to be more common for Canadian facilities. But from reading here, it appears that most American facilities use the table.

Aya, good luck with your results,

Aya0827 · February 2020

thank you all for the wishes and sorry to hear about more painful experiences! Just wanted to clarify that doing it seated was a personal preference and I have also read many other people more comfortable laying down, I guess it just my controlling side! but agree the first facility I went to only had the table with the hole. The second one only had the chair and a table without the hole and they would decide one or the other based on where is the area to biopsy... Also note to those who belive they might need an anti-anxiety, get it prescribed prior by your doctor. The radiologist cannot give it to you! I did not know that going in the first time... and that definitely helped!

Aviva92 · February 2020

oh yeah, I'd highly prefer a table and chair and if I need another stereotactic biopsy I might ask about that. I also think my experience might have been worse than most with the table with the hole because of where the suspicious area was located.

it isn't even the laying down part I hate, it's the feeling trapped part, so not sure that sitting down makes it any better. I was laying down for my ultrasound guided biopsy and was face up. It was far easier, but then again, the area was near the surface and they finished it within minutes.

ctmbsikia · February 2020

My very 1st biopsy was ultra sound guided on my back. It was kind of neat watching the screen and it was fairly quick and painless. They tested 3 spots on the left. One was a cyst that aspirated when the needle hit it.

I also had the one in mammo machine and I was seated in a chair. That was for my right side. It was outer area of breast so was glad I really didn't have to see anything. This felt a little more painful due the squeezing on top of the pinching.

I've had 2 MRI guided biopsy's. Not a fan because it takes so long with pictures before, iv contrast, then over to the mammo machine for a final squeeze to see the clip. I also think I'm just not happy in the prone position for too long a period. I am thankful they find and get these samples out as quickly as they can, otherwise they would have several patients not being able to hold still.

Mimi820 · February 2020

ugh just had a stereotactic biopsy last week due to microcalcifications (benign thankfully). Six months ago I had to have two core needle biopsies that were fibroadenomas. The microcalcifications were found on my 6 month follow up:/ long story short, I was seated in a chair which I thought was much better than standing like a regular mammo. Didn't realize my breast would be clamped down for the entire procedure. I was nervous of course, but I felt my anxiety was not too bad because I had the previous biopsies. Well I ended up passing out!!!!?! My eyes starting to get that faint feeling and I told the tech. They had to continue to do the test and then I passed out. They used smelling salts and all lol. I was so embarrassed. They mentioned that it happens-I was surprised to hear that. But maybe being seated in an awkward position and feeling stuck got to me? The test itself did not hurt at all and even the recovery has been pretty much pain free. I'm glad that's over

Khakitag · February 2020

I'm sure the location of the abnormal area affects the experience for each person. My microcalcs were at 2:00 on left side, so easy to get to. I didn't especially enjoy sitting in the chair. I didn't feel like I could relax and my head craned to the side was a little uncomfortable the procedure was painless. It felt like the recovery from this was worse than the lumpectomy, though.

Peanut5 · February 2020

I don't know what happened to the post I just wrote so sorry if this is posted twice.

A year and a half ago I had a bilateral excision biopsy due to bloody discharge from both nipples. Benign papillomas were found in both breast and ADH was found in one spot on my right breast. The surgeon commented that he was able to remove a lot of the ducts on the left side. i am on the every 6 month screening.
Six months ago my ultrasound found 3 nodules/complex cysts to be watched- between the 2 breast. 5 months ago I had a negative MRI.

Today I had my annual mammography and ultrasound/recheck. The ultrasound was fine. Couldn't find one nodule and cysts the same.

The mammography showed calcification in the left breast. They showed me one tiny bright one spot in one area and 3 tiny white bright spots in another area. I guess you would call that a cluster but they weren't on top of each other just in an area together. The radiologist would like to do a stereotactic vacuum assisted biopsy in 2 areas. She didn't seem too concerned and said she didn't think it was anything to worry about. I haven't seen the report yet but I'm worried.

1. Is the biopsy uncomfortable?

2. How likely are the calcifications ADH since I already had ADH cells in my right breast? Is there an increase in the calcifications being cancer since I am already a high risk?

Thank you

Khakitag · February 2020

suspicious calcifications present in certain patterns such as linear and branching among other. Mine were linear and branching with a birads 4C. After needle biopsy dx was ADH and after incisional biopsy it was upgraded to DCIS. Thankfully just small and unifocal with no necrosis.

The needle biopsy was a bit uncomfortable but not painful in my case. It depends how deep the calcs are and where they’re located.

Aya0827 · February 2020

Peanut5 - I can't really speak to your second question from my experience but I can speak to the comfort piece. For me it was a little uncomfortable but not painful, I also took an anti-anxiety to relax 30min before the procedure which made me all chatty and thankfully the staff was chatting with me and kept me distracted! I also almost fainted from a mammo once, I think it really helps when you have something sweet to eat prior for your body to be less weak. For the after care, I brought a well fitted sports bra to wear after and to keep for the 2 following days and nights, make sure it has a back or front hook it gets uncomfortable raising your arms. Also I made sure to have enough small ice packs in my freezer to keep switching throughout the first 24 hours, it really does help! good luck and keep us posted!!

Aya0827 · February 2020

Just wanted to share my results from the microcalcifications biopsy were benign Thank God so grateful for that!

Beesie · February 2020

Aya, that's great news! Thanks for letting us know.

Peanut5 · February 2020

thank you. That’s a good idea about taking something to calm my nerves before the biopsy. I was reading comments about the stereotactic vacuum assist biopsy which all seemed awful. Some women referred to it as barbaric and torture which only stresses me out even more.

I called the radiologist who recommend the biopsies to gain a better clarification. She put me at a Birad of 4a and feels it maybe fibrocystic breast changes. The reality is only the biopsy results will determine that.

Stereotactic breast biopsy experience

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