Did I really need a biopsy or Dr's looking to get paid??

[wannaknow789]

Hi All,
I am a 46 y/o female and I had my first mammogram a couple of weeks ago. I had to go back for extra views.

1. Finding from baseline mammogram-Both breast show dense nudular parenchyma. a sharply circumscribed 3.5 x4cm mass with a halo effect is seen at 9 axis of the right breast and likely represents a cyst. Nodular asymmetry is seen in the left outer breast. That was done on 2-27-2010

I went back on 03/26/2010 for the additional views and qnd these are the findings.

2. Additional view findings-A persistant approx. 4cm mass id identified in the lateral right breast which corresponds to a simple cyst is seen sonographically.

Impression-No mammographic evidence of malignacy on the right. There is no dominant mass or suspicious cluster of calcification to suggest mailignancy,

Bilateral Breast ultrasound-ultrasound on both breast was performed. Cysts are noted bilaterally including a 37x11x30 mm simple cyst at 10'o clock on the right which corresponds to the mammographic mass. Also on the right at 10:oclock there is a 10-mm lobulated hypoechoic apparently solif nodule, which likes is a fibroadenoma. There is no acoustacal shadowing. No sonographic evidence of malignancy.

I am very happy it read there is no eveidence of malignancy. My question is why did they order a core biopsy if their was no evidence of malignancy, they saw it was a fibroadenoma, etc. If it swims like a fish then it is a fish. I just think some of these dr's do extra procedures that they do not need to do. Maybe I am missing something. Please advise? Thank you

[lhughes]

Mine looked like a lactating adenoma by the mammographer, the chick who then did my ultrasound, and the breast surgeon.  4 months later on the routine checkup, I had a biopsy.  Stage 3 breast cancer.

Sometimes a fish is not just a fish.  Have it checked out.  I will agree with the other posters that if you are concerned with this particular doctor, find one you trust.  There is nothing more important than to have a breast surgeon that you are comfortable with.

[ncmichigan]

I had "likely a fibroadenoma" twice and they were, but I would never consider not getting a biopsy that was recommended! My third biopsy was for clustered microcalcifications and I was diagnosed with LCIS. It'a not as serious as DCIS, but puts me at a much higher risk for invasive breast cancer. I may end up with more negative biopsies due to the more extensive screening with mammos and MRIs alternating every six months. But that's absolutely OK, because like japdip said, it's the only way to be 100% certain. I've always believed knowing is WAY better than not knowing when it comes to our bodies and our health. Uncertainty can make you crazy---at least in my case it does. I've mentioned in other posts that my sister missed testing for two years, was diagnosed at Stage 4 at 48 and passed away before her 51st birthday. I also just posted to frustratedrg that doctors aren't perfect, but it's important that we feel we can trust their expertise and judgement. We need to take charge of our own care, for sure, but at some point I think everyone has to believe their medical professionals have their best intersts at heart. If you don't believe that, then I think it's time for you to change doctors and find someone who does.
I hope you'll follow up on this "likely fibroadenoma" because I really don't believe biopsies are frivolously recommended. I wish you benign results if you go through with the biopsy and hope you'll keep us advised. I have found wonderful support and information on this site and hope you will, too.
Hugs,
nc

[nanaspj]

I went through this for 9 yrs. Numerous garden variety cycts & fibrocyctic breast disease, In the nidst of these they ran across several of these that looked likr tumors rather than cyct. 3 biopsies on left, 2 on right. One on left makignant tumor and one cyct rhat was actually a malignant tumor. One on right that was in-situ. So here I am 9 yrs later with a double mastectomy and starting chemo tomorrow. My advice: if you feel Dr, are onlyrunning up tab, keep looking for one until you find one that you can trust and believe in. I would start with a consult with a surgeon who specializes in breat cancer. BEt my humble opinion.TTER SAFE THAN SORRY, and believe me, you could tuen out to be VERY SORRY if you have to look back and say "if only", Just mu humble opinion.

[katarina777]

A few days my medical oncologist apologized to me  for a mistake he made last fall, and which had to do with neglecting, or taking seriously, when I told him my cancer had recurred in the same place I had the mastectomy. And I did not believe it had returned, I knew it had. (It's a long story)

He told me that doctors are supposed to know everything but they really don't. (these words followed the apology)

he then continued that he now listens to me much more carefully, etc.

[katarina777]

I understand your questioning the need for a biopsy, although I do not think the recommendation is related to money.

I also think it is strange that nothing, absolutely nothing is stated even about an uncertainty or doubt, but it is all good and benign, apparently. Also, usually if a biopsy is recommended this is written on the report and also the reason for the recommendation.

In my experience, and I don't know if this applies to you, doctors are scared to death of being sued for anything and everything, and sometimes they order every test possible even if they do not believe it is necessary just to be legally covered.

If I were you I would ask your doctor, and then ...well, decide on your own, or discuss it first with maybe the nurse or a friend?

KATRIN

[japdip]

You are missing something .... The fact that a biopsy is the ONLY way to determine with 100% certainty that any finding is NOT malignant. Cysts do appear differently on film and can be diagnosed as such by their characteristics BUT anything other than a fluid filled cyst is always in question without a biopsy of some type. Dr.s are much too busy to do procedures just for the doing .... trust me on this one. It's the Hospital that gets most of the money anyway .... If a Radiologist recommends a biopsy it means that he/she cannot say with certainty that a finding is benign ... to use your analogy; it may swim like a fish but remember many things swim besides fish. Be grateful for receiving Good Medical Care leaving no doubt as to what is present in the breast tissue.  Regards.....