stereotactic biopsy next week

Hi, like many posts I've seen on this site, I've had a follow up mammogram and the doctor decided that the calcifications were worth doing a biopsy.  I think I'm lucky as it is only BIRAD 4 and only 1 cluster of approx 5mm, but it is stilla  little scary and still a bit hard not to obssess.  The biopsy is a stereotactic type and I was wondering what to expect in terms of soreness and swelling.  I was thinking of doing a 5k walk with a friend the next morning but am wondering if that might wind up being too uncomfortable.  Any insights?
thx!

[zouzi]

Hi,
During your biopsy you will be awake and should have little or no discomfort. Most women report little or no pain and no scarring on the breast.
If you experience swelling and bruising following your biopsy, you may take an over-the-counter pain reliever and use a cold pack. Temporary bruising is normal.You should avoid strenuous activity though for at least  24 hours after returning home and depending on how you feel you will be able to resume normal activities.
Since you might feel some soreness in your breast, after the procedure,I think that resting would be a better idea rather than the 5k you are planning to walk the very next day.But you can always ask your radiologist or doctor if you could.
You should contact your physician if you experience excessive swelling, bleeding, drainage, redness or heat in the breast.
Wishing you an uneventful biopsy and most of all a BENIGN result!
Take care and good luck...

[iam1butterfly]

I had a stereotactic biopsy... it was an out-patient procedure performed in the imaging facility where I had my mammogram. To detail it briefly, the whole process took nearly 3 hours... mostly due to paperwork and setting up the area for the biopsy. A local anesthetic was used. I was positioned face down on an examination table that had an opening in which the breast was suspended from. Then, a needle/ probe was inserted at the biopsy site. A sample of calcifications and breast tissue was then removed. I'm not sure if it'll happen in your case, but ordinarily, a titanium micro clip is inserted at the biopsy site as a marker for future diagnostic referencing.

Pain thresholds vary... and in my case, I didn't find the process to be particularly painful. Uncomfortable?... yes... with swelling, soreness and bruising. But, that goes away in the weeks that follow. Extra StrenghtTylenol knocked out the little pain and discomfort that I did have... and ice packs worked wonders in reducing the swelling. I would estimate that it easily took 4-5 weeks to completely heal.

I was left with a tiny, barely noticeable puncture scar that now resembles a dimple. As for the pathology report, mine took about 4 days until I was notified (thankfully, my results were benign). Anyway, results could be available sooner or take slightly longer than that.... depending on the lab workload and how timely the pathology findings are interpreted, completed and forwarded to your doctor.

I can relate to the nervousness... and I recommend that you try to relax; maintain a positive attitude; and have someone, like a close friend or relative accompany you to the procedure... moral/ emotional support is invaluable during times like this. Best wishes to you for a favorable outcome. Take care!

[Sash1986]

Thanks both for comments!  This helps a lot to visualize what I will go through and what to expect.  I guess anything that can be managed by tylenol and ice packs sounds like I'm getting a pretty good deal on the scale of things.  Of course I cleverly scheduled this for the day before Thanksgiving (it seemed like an easy time to take off from work and heal up) so I get to wait a little longer for results :-(  But now that I've found this website with the forums, I feel a little more comfortable knowing there are folks out there who can talk me down from whatever tree I climb up. . .

[braveheart2]

I had two sterotactic biopsies last week for two birads 4b microcalcification clusters in one breast -- they both turned out to be benign, despite the presence of atypical cells in an adjacent area of that breast that had been discovered 2 years previously by sterotactic and then excisional biopsy at a different breast center.

In terms of recovery, last week's breast center advised me to use ice packs until bedtime that night, take only extra-strength Tylenol if I needed it for a day or two (no Aleve or Ibuprofen), and wear a tight-fitting sports bra both day and night for 7 days following the biopsies, to prevent any extra movement of the tissues that might cause bleeding after the fact -- this technique worked great, and this time I had no painful deep hematoma like I did two years ago, when I was not advised to wear the snug bra.

The day after my biopsies I was back to work at a physical job, but I was a bit sore when using my arms ... I recommend taking things a little easy for about 48 hours post-biopsy.

Good luck, and let us know how things go for you!