Preventive Action

I recently had an excisional surgery and pathology report reads "Complex Fibroadenoma with areas of fibrocystic changes, apocrine metaplasia and intraductal hyperplasia - adjacent tissue also shows fibrocystic change, intraductal hyperplasia and apocrine metaplasia - as I have a strong family history for breast cancer (mother breast cancer/mastectomy, older sister breast cancer/lumpectomy (age 47 )and maternal Aunt who died from breast cancer in her 50's- younger sister currently taking Tamoxifen as preventive - she had a pre cancerous area removed last year ) I am going to see an Oncologist next week- I have my mammo and ultra sound films and my Surgical Pathology report- I am wondering if there is a Surgeons report I should also have? The Pathology report does not have much info on it and I am wondering I the surgeons report would have more info on it that could be useful ? Also is it ok to request that report for my own records or would that be considered unusual? I love this site- it has been very helpful- thanx for any advice!

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Pam, The additional information would be helpful, the surgeon's report is the OR report.  If you had a follow-up appointment with the surgeon since then,  there would likely be a note that may summarize the findings.  
Having a report for your own records is not an unusual request.
With our mobile society, frequent changes in health care providers, having all of a person's health care information in one place is rare.  This makes obtaining records more difficult, if you have a copy of your own at least some of the highlights - are available with you.   Frequently people will keep a personal file of their own medical history, this way you keep track of what is going on with you.

[surgeon]

It's perfectly acceptable to request copies of any reports for your own records, in fact it's a good idea: it can save time when you see various doctors now or later in life if you can bring relevant documents with you. With respect to the operative report, I'd doubt -- especially since there was no cancer, and therefore the nature of the surgery and findings is less critical -- that it would be particularly useful to the oncologist.

[Pam`]

Back in Oct I had a benign complex fibroadenoma removed and pathology indicated Intraductal Hyperlasia- my OB and surgeon both thought nothing of it even though I stressed a strong family history of breast cancer-I spoke with my Mom's oncologist
who thought it would be wise for me to talk to an Oncologist locally ( I am in NH Mom and family are in NJ ) I did find a great oncologist who thought I was borderline candidate for Tamoxifan (tamoxifen) - she had my pathology films looked at by HER pathology dept ( different hospital ) and they indicate there was ATYPICAL ductal hyperplasia- that is all together different correct? And puts me at higher risk- in the mean time I and she felt a small lump on the right breast (surger had been on left)
sent me to a different surgeon and though she felt something she wasnt overwhelmed by it - her suggestion is to have a bi lateral MRI and she is sending my pathology slides to yet another doctor- the pathology "guru" she called him, in Nashville- do you think the MRI is a good thing? Are the pictures more diffinitive? My breasts are small and very dense - mammo's don't pick up much and although the surgeon did an ultrasound yesterday she didn't see anything standing out but when she pressed on the area it hurt- just wondering your thoughts on the MRI and the different pathology reports- your answers are always greatly appreciated
thanx!

[Mel273]

I have had the MRI's too and my oncologist is recommending that I have them in combination with ultrasounds since my breasts are very dense.  I had them done prior to lumpectomy in October 2003 and she wants me to have new a baseline done in April with follow-up every year.