Biopsy

kaz · New User Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Vancouver

Hi, I'd be greatful for any information anyone can give me regarding the following: I had a mamography on Friday, in fact I had three, very worrying but was told that the results would be sent to my doctor shortly. The same afternoon my doctor phoned me and said that the milcocalcifications (I think that's what she said) have clustered in another part of my breast and that I will be allocated an appointment very soon for a biopsy. I was in such a panic that I didn't even ask what type of biopsy.
Can anyone who's already had a biopsy tell me how much tissue is usually removed and is it painful.
Has anyone who's been in the same situation as me decided not to go through with a biopsy and if so do you have any regrets etc.
Thank you in advance
Kaz

Muttsmom · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:21 am Post subject: Re: Biopsy

Hi Kaz,
I know how scary it is to hear you need a biopsy. My mammogram came back "normal" even though I felt something that wasn't right. Biopies aren't bad at all and I'm the President of the Whimp Club Smile

My guess is it will be an incisional biopsy which is the kind you'd want as far as getting accurate results. You aren't put under with general anesthesia. I was given Versaid (The I don't give a **** shot) and one minute you're awake and the next min. you're awake and it's over. They will remove the cluster and some tissue around it. In my case they removed a good size area (3.5 cm) and I had a small incision. I was sore, but it wasn't bad at all.
As far as not having it done and having regrets. The only way you'll know if it's cancer or not is to have a biopsy. If it's not, then you can relax and not worry about it, but if it is and you don't have it done, then the tumor will continue to grow. I can't imagine how you couldn't have regrets by not having it done if it is cancer. The earlier caught, the better prognosis. You'll see my bio at the end of this. Mine was advanced and it's been almost 3 years and I'm still doing good. I had mine biopsied ASAP. Trying to forget it exists isn't going to make it go away.
PLEASE get the biopsy. We're literally talking about your life!!!!
Prayers and keep up posted.
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

sgishelly · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: Biopsy

Then I must be the Vice President of the whimp club. Smile

Get the biopsy!! It's really not a big deal. Besides, if you chose not to get it, there would always be that nagging feeling in the back of your mind. If you go ahead with it, you will know one way or the other and will be able to deal with it. Here's hoping and praying that it turns out to be nothing. Keep us posted!
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

Momof5 · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: Biopsy

Hi,
I agree with the others. Go get the biopsy!!!!! The biopsy was no big deal at all! I was just given "happy juice" to help me relax. I never even had to take tylenol. You need to know what is going on in there. A biopsy is a good way to find this out. You can't ignore this. Early detection is so important! We will all cross our fingers and toes for you that it will be nothing.

Take care.
_________________
DX - Sept. 2004
Left - MRM - Sept. 2004
Right - Single Mastectomy Dec. 2004
Bilateral tissue expanders - Dec. 2004
Stage 2 - invasive ductal carcinoma
Tumor - 1 cm
0+/19 lymph nodes
No chemo or radiation required
10/04 - Tamoxifen

Minnlady13 · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 5:44 pm Post subject: Re: Biopsy

Just adding another vote for a biopsy. Microcalcifications CAN be an indicator of breast cancer, but not necessarily. I had them under my lumpectomy incision 4 years after diagnosis, but the biopsy was negative for cancer. Good luck to you. Please keep us posted. Hugs, Lauri (another charter member of the Whimps Club) Very Happy

_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

AlaskaAngel · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:10 pm Post subject: Biopsy

Here is yet another vote for you to get the biopsy.

I did end up not having a biopsy but it was because I had a surgeon who was a dope and recommended against biopsy... and the result for me was that the cancerous lump I had at the time, which was still small enough then not to require chemotherapy, grew...

By the time I finally talked the surgeon into doing a biopsy there were a total of 3 different radiologists all recommending biopsy, PLUS the surgeon also had done her own ultrasounds in her office (3 at the hospital, 2 in her office)... I have to HOPE that most surgeons are better than she is... I know the one I went to elsewhere for the actual surgery sure was wonderful.

I highly recommend getting the biopsy. Not only that, I personally would insist on an excisional biopsy.

I'm wondering, though, if you are feeling so scared that it might be cancer that you are thinking you don't want to find out?
_________________
Dx Dec 2001 at age 50
Lumpectomy Jan 2002, 1.6 cm IDC plus some DCIS
Node neg
ER+, PR+, HER2+++
CAF x 6, 35 rads+boost
NED
Tamoxfen 1 3/4 yrs
In 2 clinical trials
bc for mom and 1 sis and 1 aunt and 1 granny
ovarian cancer for 1 aunt

dizzybuff38 · Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:36 am Post subject: biopsy for microcalcifications

I had a non palpable tumour that showed on normal 3 yrly mammo and was recalled to a specialist breast care centre in the UK. They showed me the mammo and the big shadow and that is when I knew it was cancer. Apparently cysts show up differently on mammos and ultrasound.
They did a compression mammo and ultrasound and immediately asked if I would have a core biopsy - heck, yes! I only felt a sharp prick as they put some local anaesthetic in the area. I don't know how much tissue they took out, but no scar at all, and it was certainly enough for the pathologist to determine I had invasive ductal cancer, as well as ductal carcinoma in situe (calcifications). I had a wide local excision with sample node ( Cool

removal and they removed the tumour and the DCIS. The tumour was 2 cm and 2 out of the 8 nodes positive so I had to go back for removal of the rest of the nodes, 1 more found positive. Thank God for mammos as no-one could feel the lump which was just below the nipple. I had chemo, radiation and now on Arimidex and feeling fine. If I was you, I would insist on a biopsy as DCIS can turn into invasive and the quicker you get that stuff out the better. Good luck - my thoughts are with you. Liz.

kaz · New User Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Vancouver

Thank you all for your replies, its certainly put my mind as ease. I had a phone call this morning from my doctor's surgery to say that I will be having an appointment within the next few days to go for a Core Biopsy. I have had mommograms for several years, six months ago I was told I had calcifications. My last mammogram showed that there was a new area of calcifications, close to my chest wall and these are the ones that need further investigation.

I find it strange that there is no treatment available to 'get rid' of these calcifications before they develop into something more sinister!!

My best friend died of BC and I have other friends/aquaintances who have BC, one friend in particular has had lots of problems and her health is poor from all the medication and chemo she's received.

I will keep you posted on the outcome of my results.

A very big thank you once again. I've learned such a lot by reading all your postings and I wish you all very good health
Thank you
Kaz

Muttsmom · Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: Biopsy

Hi Kaz,
There is nothing that makes sense about this disease that's for sure. I lost my best friend in Dec. and we were dx 1 day apart and both Stage III. Mammogram missed both of our tumors that were 5.5 cm and hers was 9cm. I'm so grateful that your mammogram picked up on the calcifications. Obviously if mine had picked up my tumor, I wouldn't have been Stage III by the time I found it and had Kim's mammogram found hers before she found it, there's a good chance she would still be here and we wouldn't have already been Stage III.
Remember, this might not be cancer!! I don't know anything about core biopsies since I had incisional, but if they can remove the cluster before it is cancer, then they have been able to do something before it turned into this horrible disease. If it is BC, things and treatments improve all the time and since it was found early, chances are really good that you'll be 95 and helping others deal with it.
I asked my onco if there was any chance I could live to be a B**** old woman and his response was, as compared to a B**** young one......LOL I think I created a monster when I told him to lighten up when things were going good.... lol

Hugs
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

dizzybuff38 · Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:41 pm Post subject: biopsy for calcifications

Hi Kaz - just seen your posting - glad you are feeling happier about the biopsy. There is a way to "get rid" of malignant calcifications before they turn into invasive cancer and that is either a lumpectomy (or wide local excision) if the calcifications are clustered together - if they are widespread I fear it is a mastectomy. Either way, rather have it out than it turn into something that requires chemo and rads.
Hope you will come back after your biopsy results with a benign result.
You will be in my prayers and thoughts.
Take care. Liz.

Kristen · Experienced user Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 60

Hi Everybody,

Just adding my two cents here....
I have have two core needle biopsys (on my "good" breast) and they were not bad, in fact very managable. I highly recomend (like everybody else) to get this biopsy. Also like many others here, my mammogram did not pick up my tumor, even though you could see it and feel it.
My understanding is that there are certain types of tumors that mammograms just can't pick up in dense breast tissue, but they can pick up microcalcifications. So now I go for an MRI every year and continue on the mammograms every 6 months.
On another board that I go to one women is quoted as saying "the only good lump is a lump in the jar"..thats how I feel too. My surgeon didn't think it was cancer but wanted to take it out ASAP without even a biopsy..thank GOD he did!!
Good luck to you, let us know how you make out.
Kristen

imadare6 · Regular Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Indiana

There are core, stereotactic and regular biopsies, but I suspect he is referring to the regular kind where you are under light drug, probably versaid, and the area of microcalcifications taken out to be tested. You might want to call office to be sure though they will be contacting you with any instructions beforehand. This is not a terrible operation. I have had 2 regular incisions, just left with some bandages for a few days, and also the stereotactic which is easy although a little embarrassing. All are outpatient and you wake up and go home, pain minimal.

You need to do this to rule out any carcinoma. If it is done early on problems could be much easier to do away with. You can always look on the internet under breast cancer, cancer treatments, etc. and find explanations of all procedures.
_________________
DCIS 9/04
2 surgeries
MammoSite starting 2/2/05

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

A core biopsy is a biopsy that requires only light sedation, and can diagnose your disease. If the biopsy results are positive, you will likely need an excision biopsy, where they excise the area of calcifications. Sounds like you do not have a palpable nodule, so there will need to be a wire localization procedure, where they place a wire so that the surgeons know where the area of calcifications are.

Also, breast calcifications are not all equal. There are patterns that point towards malignancy. For example, large areas of calcification are usually benign, BUT microcalcifications have a good chance of being malignant.

best regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

AlaskaAngel · Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 1:29 am Post subject: Calcifications

WAIT... I'd like to explain something about calcifications.

As noted in I think Dr. Susan Love's books, calcifications don't really "turn bad" and you don't need to think you have to have them taken out. Calcifications come in different sizes, shapes, and groups. Some are of no consequence at all and never "turn bad". Think of them this way; on mammograms they are GOOD things because the wrong kinds provide a clue that something is more likely going wrong. Again, it is the combination of shape and number and groupings that count. If the calcifications don't fall into the types that radiologists are trained to look for as trouble, then that is a good thing.

A.A.
_________________
Dx Dec 2001 at age 50
Lumpectomy Jan 2002, 1.6 cm IDC plus some DCIS
Node neg
ER+, PR+, HER2+++
CAF x 6, 35 rads+boost
NED
Tamoxfen 1 3/4 yrs
In 2 clinical trials
bc for mom and 1 sis and 1 aunt and 1 granny
ovarian cancer for 1 aunt

kaz · New User Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Vancouver

Just to let you know that I had my biopsy on Friday, it wasn't so bad. I was supposed to have two biopsy's but they only did the one. They asked if they could insert a sliver of titanium in the area that was biopsied to make it easier for them to locate the area again should they need to, however I said no. Has anyone else had this 'implant'. Well its now a matter or waiting to hear from my GP with the results. Thanks once again for your support and I will let you know the results.
Kaz

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