Fibroadenoma Biopsy?

[Fonthill]

I have had an ultrasound and a mamm. that stated I have a fibroadenoma. The lump feels like a marble dropped into my breast, it is very round, moveable and squishy.  My concern is; should I have a biopsy done or not.  I understand that sometimes biopsies leave scar tissue that may be hard to read in other mamms.  It is a perfectly round lump 1.3x.8x.8, located beside my nipple on my left breast.  I am 35 years old with no other history.  I could go for another ultrasound, but live in Canada and the scare of SCARs is very real in the healthcare system.  The doctors are saying everthing in the system is ok, but the media states differently.  I appreciate your help!!!

[cavtfree]

In november of 2002.. i found a lump in my right breast that i did not like the feeling of.. but of course.. i let it go... thinking it must have always been there... then.. at christmas.. i was elbowed in the right breast... and thats when all the fun started.. the pain (throbbing) persisted for days.. and it came back with periods... a physicians exam prompted me to have it ultrasounded and then incisionally biopsied..(of which the sound of the biopsy mechanism is more unbearable than the actual biopsy)... the results came back... and it was diagnosed as a fibroadenoma... i was instructed to watch it for a year and get it re-ultrasounded then... which i just had done.. and the results came back that it had grown in size (2.7 x 1.7 x 1)and i am now being referred back to my surgeon to consult on the possible excision of it...

So i guess .. my advise to you.. is do everything u can to stay on top of your situation.. You must be your own health care professional.. i too am canadian (23yrs old)... and wouldnt care what the current health care trouble was.. SARS or no SARS.. if it meant possibly sheading more valuable info on my current health state.. id be there in a flash.  Good Luck..

[jeepmo]

I have just recently had a biopsy done on a suspected Fibroadenoma, and thankfully it came back consistent with that diagnosis. Although I too am 35 and they are suggesting I get it removed anyway, thur an excisional biopsy. I am still uncertain which way to go on that. I may wait the 6 months until the next mammo and see if any changes have occurred.

To alleviate your fears, it is a very short procedure and the sound of the needle mechanism is more frightening then anything. You only feel a certain pressure while they are doing it. I recommend looking at the ultrasound while they do this, assuming that it is ultrasound guided.

The bandage and such cause me more discomfort then the actual procedure. You can lift or stretch your arm too far directly afterward but in about 24 to 48 hours you should start to feel more normal. Though I suppose that depends upon where the exact location of the biopsy was done. I had some residual pain in my upper arm and arm pit, which I'm not sure is normal but I'll wait it out and see. My mass was at 9:30 (whatever that means)

All the best to you, and be sure to let us know if all was ok. Thanks!

Moe

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Fonthill, There are certain features of test findings that are more or less suspicious for a lump to be cancerous.  If there is concern a biopsy is taken to examine the cells of the sample under the microscope.  If a biopsy is done it will be noted and if scar tissue developes that will be noted also as something to be aware of in future mammogram comparisons.

[surgeon]

ultrasound doesn't tell you anything you don't already know; namely, that it's not a cyst (meaning, it's not fluid.) (In fact, a feelable lump ought, in my opinion, is more sensibly needled than given an ultrasound) A round solid moveable squishy lump is highly unlikely to be cancer, and is quite likely to be a fibroadenoma. You have several options: keep careful watch, and have it removed if it grows; or have it sampled with a needle; or have it removed. Sampling with a needle can be done in the office, hardly hurts, and if there's a pathologist good at looking at such samples, can confirm what it is. Likewise, removal isn't a very big deal; I recommend getting a mammogram 3 - 6 months after to get a picture of any residual scar tissue, and that eliminates worrying about confusion on future xrays.