What's the difference

My Doctor would like me to have an excisional biopsy - how is that different from a lumpectomy?

I am 31 years old and I have a family history of BC.  My "lump" doesn't show on imaging.

Thank you for your input

Tara

[Sue0871]

I am not a doctor, but here is my experience with an excisional biopsy.  With the biopsy, the doctor usually under general anethesia, will go in and take small samples from the suspicious location.  That sample is sent to pathology and they will give the doctor the results, ie: if it is malignant, what type, what grade, and receptor tests.  Given that information, the doctor can then determine how to proceed.  If the tests are negative for a malignancy no further treatment other than to keep on eye on it would be necessary.  If he (and you) decide to treat with a lumpectomy, then he would reexcise the same area that he opened before, and take out the remaining malignant tissue and would send a frozen section to pathology during surgery to make sure that he got all of the malignancy and obtained clean margins.  

[flmommyof2]

Thank you for your response.  I am still a little confused because my doctor is planning on removing the entire area in question - which to me (and in line with your definition) sounds like a lumpectomy - however she is calling it an excisional biopsy.  I didn't know if there was some little difference that I just wasn't getting or if the terminology was interchangeable.

Thank you again

[japdip]

The two terms are often used interchangeably ... if you want to get down to exact terms the lumpectomy by definition would be the removal of an identified lump. Excisional biopsy would be the open excision of any amount of suspicious tissue for Pathologic examination.  Just terminology .... :)

[RITZGAL]

Just spoke about the terminology "lumpectomy" to my doctor today.  In the medical field, the term "lumpectomy" is reserved for removal of a cancerous lesion, (removing only the lesion).  An excisional biopsy is the open excision of tissue for biopsy.  

[flmommyof2]

Thank you for that information.  That's exactly what I was looking for.  I will be having my excisional biopsy on 2/16.  I must say that I am anxious for the results!


Take care