Stereotactic Biopsy--what you learned

[kateful]

I'm having a stereotactic biopsy on Oct 14 for "worrisome" microcalcifications which appear to be "along a duct". I didn't see the radiology report but my doctor read some from it.  She should have provided and/or I should have asked for a copy. But I have been caught off guard by this whole thing and have had trouble getting my thoughts together.

If you've had a stereotactic biopsy, can you please tell me anything you learned from your experience-- things you wish you'd done or asked or hadn't done.

[madgeOwens]

That is the absolute worst. I hated the waiting, and then they sent the pathology for a second opinion before telling me anything which made the wait even longer. Good Luck to you.

[kateful]

Thought I'd check back in today.  Had the biopsy.  The anticipation was scarier than the actual event.  My doc gave me a xanax, which helped to relieve the anxiety and keep the blood pressure down.

I have to go back tomorrow to get the bandages off.  Beyond that, the new worst part, is waiting for the pathology report.

[madgeOwens]

I drove myself to my steriotatic biopsy, although I don't think it was the best idea.  You will be fine, just lay still and take a nap.

[lainielou]

I had a stereotactic biopsy on May 19 and the most uncomfortable part was not moving.  I was almost in tears by the end just from the pressure of not moving, particularly the edge of the hole digging into my ribs.  I wish I'd thought of taking my iPod.

I also bled like a mad woman.  It took almost an hour to stop the bleeding.  My surgeon later said that they must have knicked the vessel, because I'm normally not a bleeder.

[kateful]

Thanks everyone for your responses.  I have asked my doc for something to calm the nerves and make me be still.   Am I the only one who needs to twitch as soon as I'm told I can't move?  I was already told I'd need someone to deliver and pick me up, so it works out.

Thanks!

[clareface]

Hi,

I had a stereotactic/core needle biopsy on September 26... yes, you lay on a table that is elevated up (like a car getting an oil change)... table moves so slowly, you can barely tell.  I felt the shots but my mine didn't sting.  They do tell you what they are doing.  What I recommend, which I did, was my Dr. gave me a prescription for valium, which relaxed me, but you need someone to drive you.  I also put my IPOD shuffle in one ear.  You do have to lay there still, but who wants to move, when your breast is compressed beneath you (like a mammo).  The hole in the table is at least 12 inches by 12 inches (I thought it was going to be small, but realized.. many people are bigger than me! - you could stick your head in there!)  They took 12 samples from me - vacuum, but I didn't feel anything after the breast was numbed.  If I can do it... YOU CAN do it!  Blessings!  Clareface

[blueskyabq]

I was diagnosis with a tiny cluster of calcifications o the left breast and BIRAD score of 4, Dr think might be DCIS.  I had wire localization surgical excision biopsy and pathology report just came out, it is "fibrocystic change characterized by dense stromal fibrosis". So means nothing. That is a good news for me.  The other better pathologist will view my specimen again and I hope will have the same conclusion.

My wiring procedure was a challenge one though, as what the radiologist mentioned - the one happened only in months. I had 2 wires and it took 2.5 hours to complete,10-20 images taken during and after procedure, because the area of calcifications is too tiny.  I had to travel more than 6 miles after wiring done to the surgery center with 2 wires and one needle in my breast under a cup, delay surgery start time..
.
So my procedure was different from yours but the same purpose - biopsy to find out what is underneath of those calcifications. The Drs do not like to see those calcifications there, and they want to know if it is DCIS.  Some ladies found out their biopsy came back as benign, so 6-12 mo follow up mammogram will be needed. Some may need for procedures accordingly.

You may seek second opinion (in my case the other radiology to view the mammogram) for what will be proper procedure for your case and you may also have a consultation with an expert (in my case, a surgeon).  My second opinion save me a biopsy on right breast, and had needle aspiration instead (it end up is a cyst, need not biopsy).

The best regards!

[madgeOwens]

I had the same thing in the past month or so.  They placed me on a table with a hole in it for the positioning of the breast. They raise the table and you must be stoll. They work from beneath you. They numb your breast and that feels like several bee stings and then you wont feel anything, atleast I didn t.  My report of the microcalcifications in the duct came back as atypia(abnormal cells) and so I had to have a lumpectomy.  I have a high risk of breast cancer due to those cells however I didnt have cancer this time, and everything is ok. My Birad score was a 4.  I will need to have another mammogram in 6 months. I hope your biopsy goes well. Try not to worry too much it wont change a thing. Good luck. Madge