results of biopsy

[loomislady40]

Hello everyone,   I just had a breast biopsy done today and I have to go back next week for the results.  It went well, no pain and the doctor's were really good they explained all the future possibilities in terms of the results.  ,\ I feel really good about the care that I'm receiving.  However, now that I've had time to process everything I'm wondering why do they make you go back for your results????  How come they can't call?  This sends me into slight panic/anxiety because maybe they know something they are not telling me???????  Maybe they are expecting it to come back malignant based on the ultra sound?  I keep thinking about what the radiologist said to me which was that it was a fibroadenoma and that a lot of women have them but they just do biopsy's just to make sure everything is ok.   He also said the tumor/cyst (whatever this thing is) looked good because the edges were smooth.....Can anyone help me with this?   I would really appreciate it....I keep telling myself there isn't anything to get worked up about and my brain believes this but my heart is ready to jump out of my chest.   Is it a legality issue so you have to go in for the results???????  

[seadraem]

Here's how I figure it...
If they tell you they'll call you, and it's good - they call and all is well.
If they tell you they'll call you, and it's bad - they'll want to tell you in person and will give you only minimal detail, leading most people to stress and worry until they are actually there to discuss it in detail and allay fears.

If they set up an appointment, and it's good - you stress a bit waiting for the results, and then you meet and they give you the results, all is well and you have a forum to ask questions about follow up care, the next mammogram, etc.

If they set up an appointment, and it's bad - you stress a bit waiting for the results, and then you meet and they give you the results, you stress some more but they are there with you explaining what it all means and what they feel the next steps should be.

I've been through it a couple of ways and prefer the appointment route at this point. I want solid answers backed by solid follow up.

Yes - as anyone will tell you, waiting ***** - lord knows I had about 2 months of waiting befire I got my good news. Sounds like yours is pretty good to start with. Try not to worry too much and know that there are many of us here with you thinking positive thoughts in your direction!
Susan

[blueskyabq]

I scheduled a surgical biopsy on coming Fri, I asked the surgeon when the pathology report will come out and if she will call me when results come out either good or bad?

She had me schedule a post surgery office visit the following Thur.  So for me it will be one week waiting.  I don't know the surgeon will call me if the results come out one day earlier?  I have not have surgery yet, I don't know what will be the truly feeling when waiting for the results - try not to think about or try to think more positive and hope the best or prepare for the worst.  I need to face this soon, for now I think I will try to not to think too much.  

I hope hear you good news like some other ladies!  Keep us posted!

[braveheart2]

I am glad to hear that you're doing well after your biopsy -- it's such a relief to put that experience behind you.

In my experience, it can take at least 72 hours to receive the official pathology report that analyzes your biopsied tissue, so it is common for MDs to schedule a follow-up visit with you one week after the procedure to discuss the details.

I had my wire-guided excisional biopsy yesterday, and my MD follow-up is next Monday. However, my surgeon will phone me as soon as the results are in -- probably this Thursday. If it's good news, no worries. If it's bad news, we can create our plan about next steps when I see him in person. Personally, I prefer to know as soon as possible...after the stereotactic core needle biopsy, my MD called me within 3 days with the results and also faxed me the pathology report. This gave me the time to research the details, and I was able to ask better questions when I saw him in person.

Try to stay calm...we are sending you positive thoughts for benign results. And the same goes for blueskyabq!

[kittyluv1]

Having a scheduled appt with your doctor for followup post biopsy to find out the results may seem scary on the surface, but until the pathology report is in the doctor's hands, there is really no way for them to be certain what type of tissue is present (ie malignant or benign).  From their past experiences they may have a "good feeling" about what they are seeing, but without a microscope exam, it really can't be conclusive.
I actually prefer having the doctor present when results are given (good or bad) so that all options can be provided at that time.  A call only from a nurse or doctor's assistant would  probably only be done to schedule an appt with the doctor anyway!  This way, there is no delay in getting the results and moving on from there.  The personal attention given by the doctor to you the patient is part of the process -- just try and keep positive and not let the "what if it is" thoughts get in the way.
Best wishes and keep us posted on the results!

[Fuzzz]

Even if the news from a biopsy is good, they still want to check your incision and explain followup and such.  Better to be told they will see you from the beginning, instead of being told they'll call you with results, and then hear they want to see you instead.  

I had a lumpectomy, and we were just expecting sclerosing adenoma, and it turns out I did have that, but in fact I also have a precancerous condition (LCIS).  This might sound like bad news, but in fact, if I had not had the tissue removed and examined, the LCIS would not have shown up on mammogram or ultrasound.  So it wouldn't have been caught if I hadn't had the lump removed.  So now I have options I can take to avoid getting breast cancer down the road.  

[braveheart2]

kittyluv1 and Fuzzz emphasize an important point -- your surgeon will want to see you on a follow-up visit to check your incision and be sure it is healing well with no signs of infection.

I have been fortunate to have a surgeon who has personally responded to my phone calls in addition to explaining my findings to me during follow-up office visits -- I agree it would be completely inadequate to learn of such important findings through anyone other than my doctor, or without the ability to ask lingering questions.

Regardless, keep your appointments; make sure you learn about your results in a setting that allows you to ask all of your questions about follow up care (whether watchful waiting or needing to make a plan to deal with nonbenign findings); and try to control anxiety as best as you can in the meantime. The waiting is the worst...

[IdahoGal]

I just recently went through this same scenerio and wanted to let you know that you have a really good chance that this will turn out benign. Mine was a cluster of  microcalcifications that were smooth rounding and it was surgically removed by a biopsy, it ended up turning out to be benign. My biopsy was on a Thursday and the nurse called me with my results on Tuesday. That was the longest weekend I have ever had to go through. They did schedule me in for an appointment so the BS could make sure my incision was healing well and not infected.  Please know that I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and I am praying that you get benign results. Please keep us posted with your results and try to keep yourself busy maybe a book or a movie to take you mind off your waiting period. Best wishes and GOD Bless!

IdahoGal

[loomislady40]

Thank you so much for your comments!  I'm so touched because this is a scarey ordeal for me and even though my husband and my mom are giving me great support, I feel my friends don't really care.  So, this is nice to know that there are people out there that care.  

It sounds like so many women have this procedure done and it just makes me wonder "what is going on????"  Is it the food, water, environment, or better technology?????   Was this occuring with our great grandmother's or great-great grandmothers???? This is just crazy. .......To all of you thank your for settling down my anxiety, I'm sure I'm ok and it saddens me that someone out there is experiencing the opposite....It's just encouraging me to continue my support with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, this year I'll donate more money! :)

[loomislady40]

Wire guided biopsy??? Wow!!  Did that hurt?????  I hope you're doing well and I will pray for you!!!  Hang in there!

[loomislady40]

2months??? That is just crazy!!  I won't complain about my situation...what's a week??? :)  Thanks for sharing!!!

[loomislady40]

Good luck!  Thanks for sharing!

[loomislady40]

Hang in there ladies!!  Women rock!!!

[braveheart2]

My preliminary pathology results are in -- my surgeon phoned me today to say that no further atypical cells and no cancer cells were detected in the tissue he harvested on the wire-guided excisional biopsy! What a HUGE relief...I will see him next Monday for all the details and to have him check my incision and discuss followup, but, like seadraem, after nearly 2 months of anxiety from the first abnormal mammogram that showed the microcalcification cluster to the mammo with magnification to the stereotactic core needle biopsy to the excisional biopsy (not much pain) to now, I can breathe again. For me -- for now -- the waiting is over and I am one of the lucky ones.

Thank you ALL for your concern, support, prayers, and good wishes -- I will be watching to learn about all of your outcomes in the days ahead, with positive thoughts for similar benign findings for everyone...

[madgeOwens]

When I had my steriotatic biopsy they inserted a titanium chip so they could easily locate suspect area again, however they could not locate the chip and then had to do a wire guided lumpectomy, and they said they would numb me and they did not and it hurt unbelievably.  I believe you go back for them to go over pathology report and also check biopsy site.

[loomislady40]

That is such awesome, awesome news!!  I'm very happy for you.  I hope you treat yourself to what ever you love to endulge in because you deserve it!    

[loomislady40]

Your experience sounds horrible!  You must be really tough to be able to make it through that procedure with barely any numbing!!!  Wow!  

[NaNa92]

My ordeal all started Aug 15th with my annual Mamogram (mammogram) and then a biopsy the same day for calcifications that showed up on the Mamo,  5 days later I found out I had DCIS cancer, had to wait three weeks to get into the surgeons to discuss my options, the doctor thought I should do a lumpectomy followed by radiation. I wanted to know that nothing else was hiding since I have such dense breast tissue so that same day I went for an MRI waited 5 more days for results to come back. and they saw another area of concern so They sceduled another MRI with a biopsy. that was today so now I will most likely not hear anything til next Wed. The waiting is the hardest... But you know I had two different types of biopsy's and the pain was pretty bad with the first one but the MRI one I had today I only felt the numbing needle, and some pressure, absolutely NO pain. Hopefully my biopsy comes back ok on this area so I can get this scheduled before the end of this year, I already know my surgeon is scheduling into the end of October.

[braveheart2]

Poor madgeOwens -- I am so sorry your wire guided biopsy was so painful. I was very lucky that the titanium chip had not moved out of position in the 2 weeks between the stereotactic core needle biopsy and the wire-guided excisional biopsy, but even so, the MD numbed my breast before inserting the hollow needle & then the wire, so I luckily had very little pain.

loomislady40, I LOVE your spirit and positive energy! It is SO helpful to all of us going through this. How are you doing?

NaNa92, you have had a lot of stress in quick succession, and I hope and pray that your pain is now gone and your new biopsy results come back well. Please let us know how things go for you!

[loomislady40]

Thanks for your comment!!  I figure what's the point in being negative???  I mean I'm in tears and have high anxiety but I'm trying to be positive and I think in this "community"  it's very important because obviously we are coming to this forum in search of something which I have found for myself.  I like reading the postings and finding out that I'm not the "only one."  Not that I wish this on anyone but this has become a source of coping and support for me!  So.....we shall...... ROCK ON!, as I like to say!   :)  

[loomislady40]

Wow girl your dealing with A LOT and so quickly too!  I'm praying for you!  Hang in there keep us posted on your results!!

[seadraem]

Yay! Congrats!! I'm really glad you're OK! :-)

[poetry36]

Thank you for sharing that I am going thorugh te same procedure on Monday and I a scared. I have so much anxiety and have tried keeping busy and breathing but at times find myself crying because I am scared. I just need to know what is going on so I can move forward in whatever direction I need to. I am so glad I found a forum to share.

[Fuzzz]

I also appreciate this website.  I've been on multiple boards because I actually had to have lumpectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the same time, so my focus  keeps flipflopping between the two things.  I'm finally eating again, so now I'm back to my plans for coping with the LCIS diagnosis.  But gaining some weight back would be good, too ...

[loomislady40]

Hello,

   Has this ever happened to any of you?  I received the results of my biopsy yesterday.  It turns out they did the biopsy on the wrong tumor or at least not the one the radiologist wanted.  I didn't even know there were 3 until yesterday!  The results of the biopsy was a spindle cell tumor (spelling).  Based on what was explained to me was that they can't tell, from a needle core biopsy(when it comes back as a spindle) if it's malignant or benign so they do a lumpectomy....They schedule me for surgery next week, they have to do something with wires first and then a mammogram before and after???  Anyway, not that is on hold because  the surgeon found out that they didn't do the right tumor so now they want to do an ultra -sound guided biopsy and find the results of that one BEFORE they decide to take the spindle one out...My head is spinning because they are still discussing my case so no appointment has been made!!  My  husband has been very supportive and gone into the consultations etc....He is asking all of the guestions....I checked out yesterday when I  found out there were 3!!  The one thing the surgeon said was that " if this is bad, it's ok because it's in the early stages"     What does that mean???   Do they know something ????  I'm so scared!

[mamaboulet]

loomislady40, that's crazy and I imagine you are stressed. Good luck on whatever they decide to do.
seadraem, that analysis of phone call vs appointment was insightful, comforting, and funny. Thanks.

[NaNa92]

Hello to All: Boy isnt this site wonderful to just beable to talk with others that really understand.. I think the difference in one being called back to the office for results and one being called by phone may be just the difference of where you have the testing done. In my situation I had two biopsies and two MRI's and on all occasions I heard from the place I had my testing done by PHONE with the results before my Doctor, he also called but they called me first. Just got the results Monday on My MRI biopsy and it too was posotive for DCIS, so now They have found two different locations posotive, so now my lumpectomy has become a Mastectomy. I see a plastic surgeon on Oct. 10 th and after that I will have to schedule surgery. I agree with others out there the WAITING is the hardest, the emotional ups and downs the outburst of tears.. But, all in all, Im good, I know I am still one of the lucky ones. I know sounds weird I will be loosing my breast and I feel I am lucky, But alot of you out there have had to go thru alot worse than what I will. My Dad cried when I told him I would be having a mastectomy. and I said to him, Dad would you want me to be going thru worse hell.... because it could be.

[madgeOwens]

Oh no it was not with not much numbing it was NO NUMBING AT ALL and baby ut hurt like he double tooth picks.  I am the only person I have found to have had wire insertion with NO numbing.......it was torture! I still get night mares

[madgeOwens]

I will say a prayer for you.  Hang tough!

[loomislady40]

Hang in there girl!  I will say a prayer for you.  You are right about the fact that "it could be worse" and that's my attitude too.  I really understand now, how important early detection is; doing self breast exams and getting those mammograms!

Hang in there!

[yizzit]

Rooting for you that once they get all of it - your life will be longer and without this awful disease
However, I will always reply to this type of post with " GET a 2nd opinion"
Especially make sure it isoutside of the hospital that this dr. is affiliated with.

DCIS does NOT spread - so you have TIME to make reasonable decisions
Don't let anyone rush you to mastectomy

Are you by any chance in Northern CA??
Your name suggests we might be neighbors...

[[huggs]] everybody needs them

[loomislady40]

Hello!  No, I live in New Mexico but I wish I lived in Northern CA!  

I haven't even thought of a 2nd opinion and I think you are on to something there, since I'm on military insurance that might be hard, but I'm going to look into it!  

Thanks for the [[ hugs]] I needed that and same to you too! :)

[NaNa92]

Hi! So you too have DCIS/ Is it the non invasive at this point> from what I have been told yu do have some time to decide on your choices, but it can become invasive, and at what point can differ for each individual. When I was diagnosed with DCIS, My first thought was take my breast, I dont want this to keep coming back, My Dr. thought I acting too radical, I just asked him how can I be sure theres not more, and at that moment he said to me, I will send you for an MRI, The MRI did indeed show more like Ive posted in some of my comments. and I will be needing a mastecomy. Has your doctor told you that if you have a lumpectomy and the 6-7 wk radiation, that if it comes back you would need a mastectomy? Mine did! Theres a new one week treatment out there it was not what I wanted at my first thought when I was only going to be needing a lumpectomy but it may be for others. I dont know if they do it everywhere, but there is one place here in western NY that does it. They only do radiation treatment on the area of the disease, they put a small balloon in your breast and send a seed of radiation to that exact spot, You have it done for  5- days  two treatments each day and each treatment during the day 6 hours apart. This way if yu were to get a reacurance of cancer  in the same breast you would have  7 weeks full radiation as an option for treatment.

[kcd2452]

I came across this board by accident but felt I needed to address someone's comment that DCIS does not spread. Please reconsider this statement. I had DCIS & it developed into an infiltrating ductal & aggressive breast cancer when I was premenopausal. I had a complete mastectomy followed by chemotherapy. I didn't have the option of radiation as the DCIS was too widespread.I also did not have Tamoxifen or any estrogen receptor blocking meds as my cancer was ER negative. It was a difficult 3 years. If I had heard that DCIS didn't spread, I may have left it alone and would be fighting an even more challegning battle than I did. Please, please do not ever let anything just 'go' with your breasts. Always get a second opinion from a respected medical center &/or breast surgeon. There are so many types of BC & many different treatments. Take your time, research & find a doctor that you trust. Also, take someone with you to your appointments and have your questions written down. Dr Susan Love's book is still the best guide out there. and know that many prayers are with you.

[mybudfoster]

I just had the Ultrasound Directed Core Biopsy done last Friday which was really quite interesting.  I know that the surgeon believes, as with LoomisLady, that b/c the lines are quite smooth on the lesion that it is likely benign - of course the fear factor still seems to be on my mind.  
On the one hand sooooo many people tell me that they know someone who had this done and it turned out ok, so I shouldn't worry.  So I think that this is really nothing and I try not to worry.  I do quite well with not worrying too much because I know that I can't do anything until something has to be done?  Does that make sense?  
But on the other hand, I also feel that b/c so many people know someone who had this done that it diminishes the fact that this is a big deal and that maybe I shouldn't be allowed to worry.  With this site, I can see that others completely understand!
The worst thing for me now, as with others, I have to wait another 2 full weeks for my appt with the Surgeon for the results.  I just called them today to see if they knew anything yet (had Biopsy on Friday and today is Wednesday - appt is 2 weeks tomorrow!)  I was told by the Secretary/Assistant that the results definitely won't be back for 7 - 14 days from biopsy.  I am in Toronto, Canada.  Doesn't this seem to be a rather excessive amount of time?

Regardless, still trying to believe that it is all going to be fine and that I only need to worry when I hear otherwise.  "it is what it is".

Thanks for being here.