Scheduled for biopsy

I am scheduled to have a biopsy done on 3/21. Of course I'm a little nervous, but not as bad as I thought.
I received a copy of my report from the radiologist and this is what it says:

Mammogram:
Extremely dense breast tissue, could obscure a lesion
Needs additional imaging, ACI BI-RAD 0
Ultrasound and spot films were perfomed the same day and correlated with the mammogram. Follow up or surgical consultation is recommended. BI-RAD 4A

Ultrasound:
There are small hypoechoic areas noted at the 1 o'clock position measuring .7 x .2 x .5 cm, at the 5 o'clock position measuring .4 x .5 x .5 cm. There is a inhomogenous ill defined structure with cystic components noted at the 11 o'clock position measuring 1.1 x 1.6 x 1.7 cm. Dilated ducts are noted adjacent to this structure. Impression: Multiple hypoechoic areas as described, ill inhomogenous lesion at the 11 o'clock position, follow up or surgical consultation is recommended for the 11 o'clock lesion.

I'm a little worried because the BI-RAD score is a 4A. I'm also concerned because it says that it's ill defined but has cystic components. The breast specialist says she feels strongly that it's fatty tissue. However, I can't help but be very worried about this. What's the chances that this could be cancerous? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Computer_Voice]

Just a guess, but I think from reading the report the chances of this being cancer are probably approaching zero.  I would consider getting a second opinion from a university hospital.

[angel4ever]

Thank you for your response. I guess not knowing and the wait are a little agonizing. I'm hoping for the best. :)

[angel4ever]

Well I had the biopsy on Friday. I was a total mess crying and sobbing right before the procedure. I was so bad they had to hold my arms down to do the procedure. After the procedure they told me that I would have the results by Wednesday 3/26. However, the office called me today to give me the results. The good news: the mass is BENIGN! Now the bad news: my doctor wants to remove the rest of the lump because she is concerned that it may grow and because it's near the nipple it could cause problems in the future if I become pregnant. So I am scheduled to have the entire lump removed in April. Has anyone else had to have a benign lump removed even if it was proven to be benign in the pathology report from the needle biopsy?
At any rate, I can now breathe a sigh of relief. Thanks for the support ladies!

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Congrats on the report.

It is not uncommon to get a benign lump removed . This is done if the patient desires, if the lump is large, causing pressure sympoms, causing pain or if the doctor feels that it can grow in size in the future.

The lump would again be sent for a lab analysis , so that the whole lump or ample amount of tissue can be examined.

Let us know if you have any other doubts.

Post us about how you are doing.

Regards.

[clmlw]

Yes~ I had the same thing happen.

My core biopsy came back benign, and yesterday I had the lump removed under general anesthesia. I'm not sure how big yours is or where it's located - mine was 2.5 cm and half on my areola, which is why they took it out. I'm 38, and I live in PA.

Getting the whole lump + margins taken out removes the doubt for me, just in case the tissue removed during the biopsy wasn't indicative of the whole lump. In other words, I kept thinking, "What if the biopsy samples were benign and they missed the potentially malignant tissue?"

How horrible your biopsy was so awful! What happened that made you sob? I can't even imagine why they'd have to hold your arms down. Didn't they numb you first? If I were you, I'd look into that because I've never heard of biopsies being so tramatic. Hopefully your surgery will go much better. :)

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It would be a good idea to talk to your doctor about anti - anxiety and pain releif medications a couple of days prior to the procedure.

Do not worry, just discuss the procedure with your doctor before hand and clear out any doubts that you have.

Update us on how you are doing.

Let us know if you have any doubts.

Regards.

[angel4ever]

It was anything that the doctors/nurses did. It was really just my own anxiety. They were very sensitive to my needs. I had been holding this in since the lump was first discovered back in December. I've been so busy with my students and school I never really had a chance to respond or react to everything I had been hearing until that day. Laying on the table caused reality to kind of sink in for me. The reason why they held my arms down is because I absolutely hate needles with a passion, so when I caught a glimpse of it, it sent me into a panic. They were very kind and understanding and I am grateful for that.
I know that I am going to be a bit anxious with the excisional biopsy because I don't want to be put to sleep. I had a fibroadonema removed 12 years ago and I woke up during the surgery as the surgeon was putting the sutches in. That is something that I do not want to go through again. Hopefully this time around everything will go a little more smoothly.

[mommytoboys]

I had a lumpectomy for a benign lump too.  It was enormous at 4 cm!  I am resistant to pain peds and anesthesia so make sure they know everything before they put you out.  I woke up during two surgeries!  Now they know what to do and everything is fine.  I have had two surgical biopsies and actually prefer them because I get to sleep through it.  Good luck with everything.  I am sure you will do just fine!

[florcysta]

I had two fibroadonemas removed before and I am thirty years old.   I had my first one removed when I was 16 years old.  A month ago, I find out that I have yet another one and I honestly don't want to go trough this procedure again.  The first two were on my left breast and this one is in my right breast.   I spoke to a Breast specialist whom told me that I should have it removed.  The one I have now is said to be 3.3. cm.  I guess my thing is that if it keeps coming back, what's the point?  I know that it is benign.  But at the same time, I don't want it to turn into something else.  Need some advice.  Thank you.