Long wait for biopsy results

Redcanoe · October 2020

Hi, I am 34 years old living in a remote area in Northern Canada. I found a lump last month in my breast and went to the clinic to have it evaluated. I was send for a mammogram and ultrasound. During the mammogram, the technician left several times to talk to the radiologist, and came back each time to take pictures at different angles. Then in the ultrasound, the radiologist came in and palpated the lump himself and watched the ultrasound being performed again. He told me that it was not a cyst and needed a biopsy. I was referred to the general surgery department and I had a core needle biopsy yesterday not guided by imaging. The surgeon said it takes two weeks for results here as the biopsy specimens have to be shipped to another city. She told the nurse to book an appointment in two weeks and the nurse said "OK, by phone?" And the surgeon said "no, in person". I'm trying not to read too much into that but I'm not going to lie, I'm a little bit freaked out. The follow up appointment was booked for October 26th which feels forever away. Did anyone else have an in person follow up booked before the biopsy results are even in? I dont have a copy of the radiology report so I dont know what the birads score is or what observations were made. Just that it didn't look good.

MinusTwo · October 2020

Try not to put the cart before the horse. My docs always did an 'in person' review that meant basically nothing. It's REALLY hard to wait. I don't know about Canada, but in the US your test records are your property. You can always call and get copies of those.

Redcanoe · October 2020

Thank you so much for the reply. I went into the clinic yesterday to request a copy of the radiology report and its not there yet so they said I could go in next week and see if they have a copy yet. I would like a copy to better understand what the radiologist saw on the mammogram and ultrasound.

MinusTwo · October 2020

Try to find things that will disengage your 'worry brain' - like binge watching TV (which was great advice before COVID when everyone's already binging), walking, diving into a book. Do come back & let us know the results when you get your report. It's always a good policy to have your own copy.

moth · October 2020

Redcanoe, I'm Canadian & I've had in person appts for benign results so I don't think that means anything. And yes, if the dr knows when the results will be in they'll book an appt ahead of time just to get that appt spot & not delay any longer.

So frustrating to have to wait so long. Hang in there

Redcanoe · October 2020

I got a copy of the radiology report. No birads score on it.

FINAL REPORT

Bilateral mammography with right magnification views:

The breasts are uniform the quite dense which may obscure small masses (breast density C). Within the anterior third of the right breast, close to the one otclock radian, there is some localized architectural distortion within which there are several clusters of microcalciflcations. These calcifications are variable in size, shape and density„ As a result, their aetiology is indeterminate. No additional föcal architectural distortiom discrete mass or microcalcifications are seen within cither breast. There is no other significant findings

5 g of the right breast:

Targeted scans of the palpable lump and the axilla had been obtained.

The palpable lump is located on the one o'clock radian adjacent to the superior margin of areola. At this site on the sonogram, there is an irregular heterogeneous "mass" measuring I .7 x 1.6 x 0.9 cm. This "mass" is wider than tall and mildly vascular. As well, some of the microcalcifications, noted on the mammogram, are seen to lie within this "mass". There is no other significant breast finding on this targeted study. The right axilla is clear.

Impression:

Within the right breast, close to the areola, there is a small mass which is palpable. On today's imag studies, the aetiology of this lesion is indeterminate. Mali mancy cannot be ruled out. Biopsy is recommended. (This case was discussed withthe department of general surgery.

Arrangements will be made for the patient to be se eral surgery within I week

Redcanoe · October 2020

I am getting so nervous after reading the radiology report. There are some good characteristics like wider than tall but it seems to me that a palpable mass that is vascular and is associated with architectural distortion and pleomorphic calcifications is pretty darn suspicious

Finding it hard to focus on my adult responsibilities right now.

Apk · October 2020

I'm so sorry you have such a long wait. I wish I had any advice, but I am sending you positive thoughts.

Beesie · October 2020

Redcanoe, that's my read on it too - the description on the imaging report is a combination of some things that are favourable, and some things that are unfavourable. If I had to guess, I'd say it's a BIRADs 4B - which means a 10% - 50% risk of malignancy.

I know how hard it is to wait. It's a small benefit but at least you aren't sitting around waiting for the phone to ring, not knowing when it will ring, and jumping every time it does. For me, it's easier to put the worry aside when I know the exact date when I'll be getting the result - there's no point in worrying until that day (okay, maybe the day before).

Good luck with the results and good luck getting through the wait!

Redcanoe · October 2020

I get my results tomorrow. I'm going to be honest and say I am not expecting good news. They said that my results would be in within 14 days so they've had my results since last Wednesday. Because of covid, I think they would have changed my appointment to phone to discuss benign findings. I also feel like there are too many malignant characteristics in my imaging report to be benign. Waiting over two weeks has really played with my head.

ctmbsikia · October 2020

Wishing you good luck tomorrow.

Redcanoe · October 2020

it came back discordant with imaging. They did it by palpation and the surgeon thinks she missed the lump. I'm being flown to a city with a proper breast testing facility. They said that my tests will be looked over by a team of radiologists and pathology while I'm there. A little bit relieved because my radiology report was done by a radiologist that isn't specific to breasts and the general surgeon is not a breast specialist either. Glad to run all the tests with a team of people where thats all they do.

MinusTwo · October 2020

Where are you RedCanoe? And where are they taking you?

Redcanoe · October 2020

I live in one of the Northern Territories in Canada. Further North than most cities in Alaska. Its a two day drive to any major city. Thats why my situation probably sounds strange but I am in a very remote place, we don't have community spread covid here so they require a two week quarantine if you leave the territory.

I am going to Edmonton.

moth · October 2020

Good luck, Redcanoe! I hope your flight to Edmonton is organized soon and you get seen quickly.

WC3 · October 2020

Redcanoe:

How frustrating to wait all that time just to be told "we still don't know what it is"!

I hope you get some answers soon! Do they arrange your travel and lodging accommodations?

Just out of curiosity, if you don't mind sharing, how did you end up in the far north and what is life like up there? I live in the city but I dream about living some place remote from time to time and I would love to see the northern lights.

Redcanoe · October 2020

Yes, they will make all the travel and accommodation arrangements. I dont have to pay for anything.

I moved up here in 2016 because my husband at the time is from here. We separated this January and in March I found out that he might have another child around the same age as our youngest this year has been enormously stressful and I cant help but wonder if this lump is a manifestation of the stress I've been under because of the nightmare that 2020 has been. Thats more information than you asked for though!

I do love it here thankfully. The northern lights are amazing and the people are so kind and caring. Obviously the remoteness is a problem at times like this. My understanding is that pre-covid, I would have been sent to edmonton right away but they are trying to limit travel in and out of the territory and the lump is very easy to palpate. It seemed like a reasonable plan of action at the time. I even signed a consent form acknowledging the risk that she might biopsy the wrong spot.

WC3 · October 2020

Redcanoe:

Those are certainly some difficult things to deal with. I know there are others here who have been in similar situations so know it's ok to vent if you need to and you are in understanding company.

renee17 · October 2020

Hi Redcanoe,

I’m 25. I live in the US. I’ve had 3 biopsies before and I will be having my 4th on next Friday. I’ve never heard of having an in-person visit scheduled right after results unless my physicians wanted me to meet with a surgeon regardless of what the results were. I was diagnosed with 5 fibroadenomas, 2 in the left, 3 in the right breast, when I was 18. I got the biggest one in the right breast biopsied because it looked suspicious but it was benign like they thought. They scheduled me an appointment with a surgeon after they did the biopsy because they knew they wanted to take it out whether it was cancerous or benign. I wouldn’t worry about it if I was you. They may just want to discuss your results in person and give you the option of surgery. Now, I’m glad you’re going to a place that specializes in breast health though. I appreciate my breast health clinic very much. You’re going to be in good hands. Good luck to you.

Beesie · October 2020

Redcanoe, good luck with the trip to Edmonton. I hope it can get scheduled quickly and I'm glad that they've committed to looking at the pathology while you are there. Let's hope that the results are benign and you can be done with this thing!

MicroGirl · October 2020

Redcanoe, best of luck with your trip to Edmonton, and I'm glad you'll be getting some answers soon. A long wait and a long time to be worried!

MinusTwo · October 2020

RedCanoe - adding my best wishes.

Redcanoe · November 2020

Quick update is I had another biopsy on Wednesday so im back in the waiting game.

It seemed way rougher this time like they really had to force the needle into the lump.

I am so worried and basically waiting for the news. I mean, my report doesn't say spiculated but on ultrasound it looks literally like a spider.

LivinLife · November 2020

Thanks for checking in. Sorry you have more waiting..... Please keep us posted and wishing the best for you!

Redcanoe · November 2020

I'm really struggling. I'm trying to distract myself and keep busy but this wait is so so so long. I found out I needed a biopsy on October 1st. Waited over a week for a biopsy. Then over two weeks to find out it was discordant. Then another week and a half to have a biopsy and now I'm 5 days into waiting for results from my second biopsy. Do some people get biopsies and not worry? Am I just a hypochondriac? All I can think of is the level of seriousness from the first radiologist. And techs tend to just stop talking after seeing the mass on ultrasound. I'm so stressed I find myself sleeping a lot just to cope.

LivinLife · November 2020

Your worry is completely normal. It is also important you do what you can to decrease the intensity of that - distract, do enjoyable things even if you can't completely let go of worry thoughts, etc. Do what you can to get enough sleep, at least adequate, and eat healthy. These are foundational for coping. You will hear soon since you're already five days in....

Harley07 · November 2020

The waiting is the hardest part Hopefully you will have an answer soon. Keep us updated

Beesie · November 2020

"Do some people get biopsies and not worry?"

Not many. And not me, and I've had lots of biopsies so I have a lot of experience. What I have learned is how to put aside the worry until the results are due. If I know that I won't get results for a least 3 days, for the first two days, I'm able to not think about it, but on day 3 I'm a bundle of nerves. That's as good as it gets for me.

Just remind yourself that no amount of worry is going to change anything. If the results are good, that will be great. And if the results are not good, you will deal with it, one step at a time. The die is already cast. Waiting is awful, worrying just makes it worse. That's what I always tell myself. Sometimes it works, sometimes not so much.

We're all with you hoping for good results, and hoping you get them soon!

Redcanoe · November 2020

I cant believe I'm still waiting

it's been a week since my second biopsy and it is a stat holiday today in Canada so not expecting a call today either.

Of course my nipple on the biopsied breast is now bleeding a little bit but im assuming its because of the biopsy, which was adjacent to the nipple. Didnt happen with the first biopsy but this doctor took a different approach.

LivinLife · November 2020

Geeeeezzzz Redcanoe!!!! I'd say I cannot imagine though I had my biopsy on a Wednesday morning and received results the following Tuesday late morning.... Hopefully you hear tomorrow. At this point you may want to call if you don't hear tomorrow though I'm sure they will call soon after receiving results. Just trying to save you what may be a day lag between when they get results and when you actually get notified...

Redcanoe · November 2020

I am concerned because I waited 16 days for results from my first biopsy and it was discordant. She must have known for over a week. She is a very very busy general surgeon. Great surgeon but I am worried she might not get to me right away.

Long wait for biopsy results

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