Confused about Biopsy Results/Additional Tests

[Confusedv]

I had a core biopsy yesterday as a result of a diagnostic mammogram that was reported as BIRADS 5 and indicated a spiculated area 2.5 cm that was also seen on the ultrasound.  The surgeon called today and indicated that the results were not bad, but that they did show atypical cells; he recommended a surgical biopsy (with wire localization?) to remove additional tissue (2-3 cm) because there was a slight chance that below the surface of these cells there may be cancerous cells (he said that this was unlikely but that it was best to make sure).  Should I be concerned at this point?  Why would a surgical biopsy be needed after an image guided core biopsy (3 tissue samples were removed)?  Is there a possibility that they will find cancerous cells?  Also, the doctor called me with results in less than 24 hrs. - is that sufficient time to get accurate results?

[winggirl]

Hi ConfusedV,
I had a wire localization biopsy done on Jan. 25 07. A wire localization biopsy is a procedure that uses a mammogram or ultrasound to locate and identify breast abnormalities that cannot be felt. Localization assists the surgeon in finding the area to biopsy.
My surgeon removed the targeted area plus some surrounding tissue. It's very important that they get a clear margin around the biopsy. It took about a week for me to get the results back from my localization biopsy. Unfortunately surgeon did not get clear margins on my biopsy so I will be going back on the 15 for a lumpectomy, no wires this time around. Hope this helps explain the wire localization biopsy. I understand how overwhelming and confusing the medical terms can be.  

[winggirl]

Hi ConfusedV,
I had a wire localization biopsy done on Jan. 25 07. A wire localization biopsy is a procedure that uses a mammogram or ultrasound to locate and identify breast abnormalities that cannot be felt. Localization assists the surgeon in finding the area to biopsy.
My surgeon removed the targeted area plus some surrounding tissue. It's very important that they get a clear margin around the biopsy. It took about a week for me to get the results back from my localization biopsy. Unfortunately surgeon did not get clear margins on my biopsy so I will be going back on the 15 for a lumpectomy, no wires this time around. Hope this helps explain the wire localization biopsy. I understand how overwhelming and confusing the medical terms can be.  

[winggirl]

Sorry for the double post. I'm new at this, will get my act together...teehee

[ts_the1]

I went through the same thing on January 17th.  It is a good idea to get the additional test as it is important to make sure that as someone else said, the margins come out clear and that the Atypical is monitored closely.  When I had mine, 9 out of 25 slides came out with Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia and my surgeon is sending me to an oncologist to discuss further treatment, more than likely 5 years of tamoxifen therapy.  Please keep in mind that this is not cancer but only abnormal cells and it is very important to monitor on a more than normal basis.  I will be having another Bilateral MRI in July to make sure that nothing has spread.  Best of luck to you!