Surgey set for 10/23/08

I recently had a biopsy taken on my left breast and it came back benign.  The Dr. still wants to go in and remove the tissue.  The final report states complex sclerosing lesion(radial scar)with fibrocystic changes with florid epithelial hyperplasia & focal microcalcifications, excision of the lesion is suggested for complete evaluation.  I am having second thoughts on this surgery and everything is happening very fast so any info that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.  I am set to have this done on Thurtsday 10/23/08.  Thank you

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  It sometimes happens that tumors only contain discrete areas where cancer cells are concentrated, while other areas have benign features.  If only a needle biopsy is performed, sometimes the needle isn't able to sample the area with cancer, and the mass is erroneously labeled as "benign".  Now, I'm not saying your breast mass is malignant.  I just think the pathologist who made the report is pushing for the excision biopsy because he feels that some areas of the mass may have been missed out during the initial sampling.