Dr. says: Skip biopsy and just remove it

[Immergirl]

Two weeks ago I found a lump in my left breast.  I immediatley had the initial mammogram and got called back for a second mammo and an ultrasound.  My left breast had been aching since I got the first mammogram so the second mammogram was so painful I screamed and cried and made them stop, (please note I haved a high threshold for pain and NEVER cry!) but this was excrutiating!  (I'm 52 and have had many mammo's and although uncomfortable, none have ever felt like this).  Luckily for me the doctor didn't force me to undergo the additional shots.  After the ultrasound the doctor came in and told me the lump is visible in the ultrasound and what he sees collectively from the mammo and ultrasound is "quite worrysome."  He told me to make an appointment with a surgeon to have it removed ASAP.  He said I "caught it early" and my "lynph nodes are still intact" and the rest of the breast looks ok.  What I found odd was when I suggested a biopsy he told me not to waste my time with a biopsy and just have it removed ASAP.  He never came out and said it was cancer, which I'll assume he can't do without a test on the tissue, but I'm assuming that's what he believes based on his comments.  My question is, is it normal for a doctor to tell someone to have something removed without biopsying it first?

[Immergirl]

I forgot to mention...the 2nd mammo and ultrasound was this afternoon so I don't have a copy of the official report yet

[traceyz]

Hello to you,

Okay I have BC and am presently going through treament. When I went in for the mammo and ultrasound my doc told me the area did not look good and that she was sure it was cancer BUT with that said she told me to come in for a biospy the next day BECAUSE she had to be SURE before we went any further. Also she took a chance and biopsied a suspicious looking node which tested positive, but she sid she got lucky with me because in some cases you cant tell by lookin at a node whether it will have cancerous cells or not.

Your doctor may know that WHATEVER iit is needs to come out regaurdless. If I was in your shoes I would try and quickly get a second opinion, then make a decision. That will probably give you the info you need to do the best thing.

I really wish you well and please keep us posted.

Take Care,

Traceyz

[japdip]

In my opinion that isn't a usual response by a Radiologist. There is no way to be sure if something is cancer without a biopsy of some sort where the sample is sent to Pathology and studied. I would certainly see the surgeon and let him/her recommend what course to follow ... that is his/her specialty after all. The second Mammogram may indicate some increased suspicion of malignancy but only a biopsy will tell for sure. Just see what the surgeon has to say and go from there.  

[katarina777]

With me, the GP was already pretty sure by just doing the physical exam, and when I had the mammogram and ultrasound, I asked the technician if it looked bad, and she told me 'yes'. (which i know they don't usually do..tell you anything.) the surgeon also was sure it was cancer and he even made an appointment with the oncologist that first time I saw him. he told me we could always cancel it. then he did the biopsy and a week later he confirmed the cancer and which was stage 3. So, I agree with the others. Of course, they will biopsy the tissue during surgery, but still, i think a biopsy should be done beforehand, and I am sure the surgeon would not agree to do an operation without it. Although, he may agree to open you up, take some tissue from the tumor, then have it analyzed by the pathologist, and go from there. if negative, he will either close you up again or remove the benign tumor, and otherwise do what he needs to do right then.