3rd breast biopsy

[glose]

I will be having my third breast biopsy next week (a wire localization in the OR for breast calcifictions). These are linear, pleomorophic, indeterminat calcifications located in the mid portion of right breast. My first stereotactic had to end after one core because a blood vessel was burst. The pathology was benign but no calcifications were obtained. Second stereotactic - 7 samples of tissue, but still no calcifications - report benign. Radiologist told me thought it was a representative sample this time. Then sent to a Surgeon who gave 3 options - wait 6 months, do another core, or take me to the OR. I opted for the third because if they don't get the calcifications this time, I don't think I can handle it. Surgeon said in his dictation - 1 in 8 chance of malignancy, which he thought was low. Doesn't sound too low to me!

Just would like your comments on how usual it is to take this long to get a diagnosis. I of course am praying for a benign result but realize there is still a chance of malignancy. I also worry with indeterminate calcifiations that there is a higher risk of breast cancer later on even if this is benign. Also, I have a sister who had breast cancer at 44 and a mother at 63. I know that is a strong family history. Thank you for any response.

Gloria

[Bet63]

I know its scary for you but try to calm down. You aren't doing yourself or anyone any good by letting this control your life. The Dr's are doing a biopsy because there is an abnormalty on your mammogram.Not because they Know something. That's the thing...they don't know anything yet and The only way to tell what this nodule is, is to do a biopsy. A stereotactic biopsy is uncomfortable but shouldn't really be painful. Check out this link, it should tell you everything you need to know about this test.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/diagnostics/coreBiopsy/coreBiopsy.shtml
I hope all goes well for you and I wish you luck tomorrow. Again, try not to worry too much (I know that's nearly impossible at this point) but think positively if you can. It helps a little. I know, I've been where you areabout 5 times since I was about 22. I'm 40 now.
Take care and let us know how it goes for you.

Bet

[mymare]

I am 43 and had my first mammogram on January 20.  I was shocked when I got a letter from the imaging center that I needed to return for an ultrasound of my right breast. I never received a call from my doctor until I called them and realized they hadn' received my report.  After my second mammogram and an ultrasound I had an appointment with a breast surgeon for a suspicious nodule in my right breast on February 5.  I am having a stereotactical breast biopsy on February 18 and I am a nervous wreck.  This has been so emotional for my entire family.  Everyone has information to offer you and it is sometimes so scary.  I don't know what to expect on Wednesday and I am just praying that it is nothing. I keep thinking that the doctors must know something and that is why they are making me have a biopsy.  This entire experience has changed me and I have so much respect for all woman.  Any comments would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[Prizzy 1]

Thank God for  your benign results!!!!!
I, too, am waiting for results  of a surgical biopsy that I had on Wed, Jan 21. It is now Jan 27 and I called today since I haven't heard from them yet. She said that they still are examining the tissue in pathology. I had a stereotactical biopsy first, on New Year's Eve Day and the results came back 5 days later with atypical cells. So  - they told me that a surgical biopsy would tell more - I am now waiting and am a nervous wreck!
The surgeon came out to see my husband after the surgery and told him that it didn't look suspicious but that they needed to examine the tissue to make sure!!!
I just pray they call soon and say "it's ok"
This has been going on for about 3 months now and it is very draining and stressful! I totally understand what you mean!!!!
Continued good health to you! :-)

[glose]

Hi everyone,

I received my pathology report this morning by phone from the secretary. Thank God, it is benign. It mentioned fibrocystic changes. I am so paranoid now after having so many biopsies that I was afraid he would say no we need more tissue, but he did see small calcifications in the tissue which is I guess all they care about. I go to see him for follow up of my biopsy on January 28th. The area seems to be healing well.

This experience has changed my life - I think for the better. I will be more diligent with my health. Most of all I will continue praying, especially for people who do not get a benign report, and who are going through this process. I have so much more compassion now for people who are in any type of crisis.

[river view]

I had to have 3 biopsies over a six month time span to obtain my good result of no cancer.  I had microcalcifications also and they can be the result of many non-malignant conditions.  I know how hard it is but hang in there, the odds are in your favor so think positive.

[cow chaser]

I want you to know that God hears your prayers.. I too am praying for you!!!

[glose]

Thank you to everyone who responded to my post. It is comforting somehow to realize other people know how this feels. I too have been praying a lot since this happened. However, I plan to continue praying after it is all over - no matter what the result.

[milrunner]

It is always easy to dispair when there is a familal link, but at this time I wouldn't panic. As the first biopsy was negative I wouldn't be too worried, your chances at this time are pretty low.

[surgeon]

Your story is not "usual" but it happens sometimes that it's hard to get the calcifications. It depends on lots of factors. Wire localization, as you are having, is very likely to finish the job, although the key thing is the accuracy of the placement of the wire, rather than the surgery itself. One in eight is really just a statement of satistics: indeterminate calcifications have a 10 -15% chance of being due to cancer (85-90% chance of being ok: it sounds better that way). Seven in eight chance of ok sounds good, too. Finally, having calcifications per se has nothing to do with future risk: it depends rather on the precise cause of them, which is yet to be determined. Most calcifications are due to things which confer no future risk; some are due to other things.

[glose]

Thank you very much for answering my questions. I will be so happy to finally get a definitive answer to all of this. If the wire localization works, it will be 3 months total that I have been wondering about this. I really hate uncertainty but one still has to function in life and get on with things. I usually "awfulize" (not really a word, I know)about things like this, imagining the worst case scenario. It is just easier I think when one knows what they are facing, if anything at all.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Gloria, Microcalcifications are small calcium deposits found within the breast tissue.  The pattern of these microcalcifications give clues as to what might be causing them.  For example a more scattered pattern would be less concerning and might indicate normal changes that come with age, a clustered area might be suspicious that the calcium deposits are forming near a tumor.  Presence of microcalcifications alone does not mean a cancer or pre-cancerous condition, nor does that increased risk of cancer.  

Being left with a question of diagnosis after a biopsy does happen. When a biopsy is done the doctor wants to locate the area of suspicion so as to be as sure as possible that the suspicious area was checked.  One way of confirming the target is to see the microcalcifications in the biopsy specimen.  Without seeing them in the pathology specimen there is some doubt as to whether the suspicious area seen on the mammogram was truly tested.  The level of doubt may be lessened with the radiologists comment "thought it was a representative sample" or putting together with radiological findings and suspicion.