biopsies

Diseases & Conditions Breast Cancer
1
Thanks in advance for any input. I had a baseline done yesterday and they want to do two types of biopsies on four spots in my left breast. I have had chest pain there for about six months, assuming it was asthma and I needed to walk more. What can I expect? Thanks
2
Wow. Great you went for a baseline!!! There is the needle biopsy and the regular biopsy where they would surgically remove the lump. I can't really imagine why they would do two different types on the same breast, tho. I personally feel the surgical removal is the most sure. A needle biopsy is great and easier when the lump is definitely cancer, but when the results come back negative I would wonder if the exact spot was hit. Again this is my own personal feeling. If I were to have a biopsy I would want all to be done surgically since I was prepped already. Please tell us more. How old are you? What type of pain did you feel? Any other questions? Hugs Mary K. MK for short


3
Either biopsy procedure is done on an out-patient basis. Discomfort depends on your tolerance for pain. I had no problem with either the needle (mammatome) or surgical biopsies. Sorry to hear that you are having chest pain. While I would not wish asthma and its complications on anyone, I am hoping that is what it is rather than breast cancer. When is the biopsy procedure scheduled? Please keep us posted. You will find it hard to find a more caring group of women than you have here. We will hold your hand and walk the path with you no matter what the outcome. Happy New Year! Lauri

"Go confidently into the direction of your dreams. Live the life you always imagined" Thoreau
 
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

4
Dear Lauri,
thanks again. I'll let you know.
5
The procedures are not difficult and very tolerable. I had to have a surgical biopsy done after needle and mammatome as neither needle biopsy showed a conclusive result, actually one needle test came back benign. The surgical biopsy was absolute and I did have cancer. So I would always want to overdo than not do enough to get the answer.

Keep us up to date.

L & H
Candy


Many Blessings for the New Year

 

 

Life may not be the party

 we hoped for,

but while we are here we might as

well dance.
   

6

Thanks Candy for the advice. I'm curious about how women feel about biopsies and surgeries. I just learned that an old friend had cancer with a calcification that was much smaller than mine, ( I have two and two other suspect areas- all in one breast) She opted to have everything removed during the biopsy - she said that the doc could tell from the mamm that it was cancer and so she skipped the biopsies to check and just went ahead to remove. It was later found cancerous. When does this become the smart thing to do? I'd rather be poked in four sites once and get rid of it all than check it out, watch it and go in later to remove. Is this an option?

7

Yes it is an option.  Except that it depends on how much mass would have to be taken from each site and what size your breast is.  Your doctor should be able to guide you.  Just do everything it takes to get the right dx.

I really never had an opinion about surgeries.  It was what I needed to do and what all my doctor's recommended.  My general surgeon is like a dog with a bone and was suspicious of pathology findings.  He just kept me going clear through lumpectomy to get the correct results.  He did not want to take any chances.  I ended up needing a mastectomy and I am one of the lucky ones, I can actually say it is all gone and will not come back.  I had a very rare type of cancer in the breast, not really a typical breast cancer.  Just same treatment and procedures.

Just be sure to ask questions and record answers.  Research as much as you can.  Knowledge is power.   You are in control.  I will pray for good decisions and good results.

Love and hugs,

Candy

 


Many Blessings for the New Year

 

 

Life may not be the party

 we hoped for,

but while we are here we might as

well dance.
   

8
Having this kind of knowledge when you walk in there is good for the doctor who's treating you.  They like to get into diagnostic conversations about options, unless they have an ego problem.  You should be able to have these kind of conversations with him without his thinking you're telling him his business.  If you start feeling like that, remember it's his problem.
 
I did the needle biopsy, but it was really fast and surprising, because I was going for a second opinion on a lump that was coming up normal on a mammogram.  I went to a breast surgeon for the second opinion, being the medical snob I tend to be.  I got what I asked for!  He did everything right there sonogram, biopsied it, made me wait for the results a couple of hours, and then told me.  He was leaving for Japan the next day and the New York Blackout had happened the three days prior, so he was fitting me in, and did everything so I could know what I had in case I wanted to go to someone else in his absence.  Even though you never know when the moment will happen when it will metastacize, I waited for him to return to remove the lump.  Luckily, it didn't metastacize.
 
I thought the needle was perfect, never thought about it possibly not hitting the spot, never occurred to me.  I've heard of other cancers being tiny spots all over, that would be hard to get a needle to, I'd guess.  An informed conversation is the best!!!

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius

Ellen

9
Have you heard of a stero tactic biopsy?
10
Yes Ziggy, several have had this procedure done. I have not, but understand it is a rather simple procedure of withdrawing a core via needle for testing. My personal feeling is that if the test turns out to be positive it is a good way to know without surgery that you will need surgery and it gives you time to make arrangements. My daughter did this, had the test and took her time getting a plastic surgeon lined up for reconstruction to be done at the same time as her mastectomy was done. However, again this is my own opinion, if you have negative results, what proof do you have that the core was taken exactly where it should have been? It is a very small test and being off by half an inch could be a problem.............. I'm sure you will hear other opinions, as you should. You can also find information on this procedure here at healingwell, see the ads on the right hand side and the information at the top. There are also other websites with information. My daughter spent a lot of time doing her own investigation before making decisions. She is now six years out and doing well. Hugs Mary K.