Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Should I have another Biopsy
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Should I have another Biopsy
by jazamine, Apr 29, 2002 12:00AM
In December a spot showed up on my mammogram. I was sent to a surgeon who did another mammogram and an ultrasound. He determined that it wasn't a cycst and sceduled surgery to remove the spot. I went in for the surgery and when they did the mammogram compression to run the wire to the spot, they could not find the spot. He sent me home and said sometimes spots disappear and to come back in three months for another mammogram. Last week I went in for my mammogram. It came back clear. The surgeon then did an ultrasound and said he could see something there again. He wants to schedule me for surgery again. I asked how he plans on finding the spot if it doesn't show on a mammogram and he said he would just try it. I can no longer live on this emotional roller coaster and cannot stand the thought of going through the preparation for surgery and having them send me home again. I am 49, premenopausal, with no history of breast lumps. Is this the normal procedure? Should I allow him to try to remove the spot again? I have had a total of l2 mammograms and 2 ultrasounds on this spot in the past three months.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Apr 29, 2002 12:00AM
Dear Jazamine: It is not uncommon for a spot on a mammogram to go away with compression. Usually, it's an indication that all is okay. However, in your case, an ultrasound was done. If there is a spot on the ultrasound, and it does not appear cystic, then it makes sense to biopsy. Perhaps, for the sake of not sending you home, they can do an ultrasound guided biopsy, since this "spot" does not show up on a mammogram. If you are uncomfortable, you can also take all of your films and get another opinion.
