excisional biopsy

[rmml]

I am 29 years old with no family history of BC. In September of 2006, I found a lump on my right breast and had an excisional biopsy. They found atypia. In February of 2007, I found another lump which looked suspicious on the ultrasound and had another excisional biopsy. It was benign.

I found another lump this past November and the doctor sent me for an ultrasound which showed nothing at all. I just went back to her this week for my check up and she felt it and couldn't believe how much it changed and she said that it has to come out. She said that I have to get another surgery. It's really hard and it got bigger and harder. I asked if I could get another ultrasound. She said that I can, but the results won't matter (unless it's a complex cyst, in which case she will just drain it) and it has to come out because it's about an inch below where they found the atypia.

I really don't want to have another surgery.

Is this the standard of care for this situation?

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Do not panic. It is normal to spend some time on the area of breast tissue that appears suspicious.

You shoulld wait for the ultrasound report to come in nad do ask for a copy of the report.

Post us a copy of the report too.

Let us know about any other doubts that you have and post us about how you are doing.

Regards.

[rmml]

Thank you for answering so quickly! I reallly appreciate it.

I had an ultrasound yesterday. The tech spent about 25 minutes taking the pictures. She said she felt the lump and that the area of the lump has a different texture than the regular tissue. Then, she used a thick gel circle (2 inches thick) and put that over my breast and then took more pictures. She said that was to get a better view. She said that it's definately not a cyst.

I'm really worried now because of her reaction and because of my doctor's reaction.

Is it normal for an ultrasound to take this long?

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It is best and advisable to investigate any suspicious lesion and get a confirmed diagnosis. This is the only way that a malignancy can be ruled out.

The investigations and procedures done are very safe with minimal side effects.

It would be best to talk to your breast specialist if you are still not convinced and feel that the investigations are being done even though they are not required.

You could also take a second opinion from another breast specialist and discuss about the paln of management.

Could yu post the ultrasound report here?

Let us know if you have any other doubts.

Regards.