Is excisional the best way to go???

[Jennwfhmom]

I felt a lump in my left breast about 8 months ago. the size of a marble. I thought it was from drinking too much soda or coffee. I went in to my doctor for a physical last week and he felt the lump also. He sent me to a radiologist for a Mammo and U/S. This is what the findings were....

Scattered Fibroglandular densities are noted thoughout the bilateral breasts... Within the outer aspect of the left breast mammo, a large macrolobulated dense mass is seen ... no suspicious microcalcifications are noted... A targeted sonography of the left breast was performed in the region of the patient's palpable finding. at the 3 o'clock position, 3.0 cm from the nipple. there is a 4.0 x 2.1 x 2.9 solid mass. It has smooth, macrolubulated borders, and no significant internal flow. While this likely represents a fibroadenoma, this is not definitive. As it is solid and palpable, biopsy is recommened. BI-RADS 4A.

With the tumor being so big should I have the whole thing removed? will this disfigure my breast? At this time I'm not concerned with it being cancer.. I will have to wait for that info. Should I have had a core biopsy???

[Montana girl 06]

The nurse only answers the original question. I'm guessing maybe they were unable to get as much of the calcifications as they felt was necessary. Or, it's possible they want to remove the entire area of calcifications with excisional biopsy. If that's the case, I would try to get a second opinion. If the biopsied area was well represented in the mammotome samples, and was benign why do they need to take the entire area? I hope you're able to talk to the doctor soon to have this explained to you.

[whatsmyrproblem]

I had a Mammotome (sp?) on Tuesday for microcalcifications in my right breast.   Called for results on Friday afternoon and was told by the nurse that my biopsy was benign but that the doctor wanted me to have additional surgery.  He was not available to speak to me. I was thankful for the benign result but  its now Saturday night and I can't help wondering what  kind of surgery  and why?  I'm confused.  Can you give me any information at all?  Thanks.  

[Jennwfhmom]

Thank You, I meet with my surgeon this Thursday. I will be sure to ask him. Are there any other questions that I may need to ask him before the findings of the biopsy? I know that is a funny question concidering I don't know what this is yet, but should I be prepared for the worst and have my ducks in a row? Or am I over analysing?

Thank you for your response and the time you spend helping people in a scary situation.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Jennwfhmom:  Whether to have a core biopsy or excisional biopsy depends upon the situation.  If there is any concern that the tissue contained in a needle may not be representative of the whole, then an excision biopsy may be recommended.  Whether or not there will be any disfigurement will depend upon the size of the abnormality, the amount of breast tissue an individual has, the amount that will be removed and the skill of the surgeon.  You would benefit from a discussion with a surgeon as to which approach may be the best in your case.