Aa
Biopsy result - flat epithelial atypia
Hello,
After a routine mammo & mammo w/ magnification showing a suspicious cluster of microcalcifications (only BIRAD 3 but w/ history of multiple previous breast biopsies for fibroadenomas, grandmother died from BC with metastases, nulliparity, and previous clear mammo without microcalcs) I had a stereotactic core needle biopsy last week. Biopsy results include columnar cell changes with flat epithelial atypia (FEA).
FEA seems to be a marker for neoplastic activity, often present along with DCIS, lobular cancer, and/or tubular cancers. I am now scheduled for a wire-guided excisional biopsy next week, and of course am Very Nervous ... does anyone know the odds of being able to achieve a benign final diagnosis when FEA is present? Thanks for your input!
After a routine mammo & mammo w/ magnification showing a suspicious cluster of microcalcifications (only BIRAD 3 but w/ history of multiple previous breast biopsies for fibroadenomas, grandmother died from BC with metastases, nulliparity, and previous clear mammo without microcalcs) I had a stereotactic core needle biopsy last week. Biopsy results include columnar cell changes with flat epithelial atypia (FEA).
FEA seems to be a marker for neoplastic activity, often present along with DCIS, lobular cancer, and/or tubular cancers. I am now scheduled for a wire-guided excisional biopsy next week, and of course am Very Nervous ... does anyone know the odds of being able to achieve a benign final diagnosis when FEA is present? Thanks for your input!
I agree with your yes vote -- it is SO important to stay proactive. After my recent mammos showed the cluster of microcalcifications, my MD initially said, "Don't worry, it's probably nothing -- watch & wait 6 months." But I was nervous and had a bad feeling. At my urging he compared my recent and previous mammos, then agreed a stereotactic core needle biopsy was indicated, since there were no microcalcs at all before.
When the path report came in, he phoned and said, "Everything's benign, no worries." I asked him to fax me the pathology report, where I found I have columnar cell alteration with focal flat epithelial atypia; apparently, this calls for an excisional biopsy to rule out adjacent cancer. When I phoned him back to ask about this and find out when to follow up, he reassured me, "You're fine -- quit reading on the Internet, you'll only scare yourself -- just have your next mammo in 12 months." But then he must have looked more closely at the path report, because he phoned me on Saturday morning to have me arrange a wire-guided excisional biopsy.
This is not to complain - he is a good MD and I believe had just only quickly skimmed the path report the first time (the last line reads "I do not see changes of malignancy" -- but we must keep ourselves informed to stay safe!
Hopefully the next biopsy will rule out cancer for me, but if not, at least I can start treatment sooner and increase my chance of survival...
When the path report came in, he phoned and said, "Everything's benign, no worries." I asked him to fax me the pathology report, where I found I have columnar cell alteration with focal flat epithelial atypia; apparently, this calls for an excisional biopsy to rule out adjacent cancer. When I phoned him back to ask about this and find out when to follow up, he reassured me, "You're fine -- quit reading on the Internet, you'll only scare yourself -- just have your next mammo in 12 months." But then he must have looked more closely at the path report, because he phoned me on Saturday morning to have me arrange a wire-guided excisional biopsy.
This is not to complain - he is a good MD and I believe had just only quickly skimmed the path report the first time (the last line reads "I do not see changes of malignancy" -- but we must keep ourselves informed to stay safe!
Hopefully the next biopsy will rule out cancer for me, but if not, at least I can start treatment sooner and increase my chance of survival...
I guess I'm back to watchful waiting. The surgeon assured me that I wasn't high risk. I will have a follow-up mammo in a year and go from there.
I'm 35, so I think it's up to me if I want to go to yearly mammos at this point. My vote is yes!
I'm 35, so I think it's up to me if I want to go to yearly mammos at this point. My vote is yes!
Thanks, if the nurse is right everything is ok.......only she was wrong the last time she gave me results so I am waiting to be jubilant. The waiting is the PITS. I can only get lost in New York City so many week end hahaha its expensive. But it sure takes my mind off things!
The waiting is terrible, but I hope you will have good news tomorrow. I am sending you positive thoughts for a happy outcome...good luck!
Madge, let us know how your MD visit turns out this week! We wish you luck that all will remain benign...and lanielou, what was your outcome? Will the ductal hyperplasia be addressed further, or are you back to watchful waiting?
The results of my stereotactic biopsy biopsy on 5/19 showed flat epithelial atypia.
The results of the excisional biopsy on 6/4 showed "extensive areas of florid ductal hyperplasia. There is no atypia."
The results of the excisional biopsy on 6/4 showed "extensive areas of florid ductal hyperplasia. There is no atypia."
Mine was similar with Birad 4, and it was benign as far as I know. I see doc this week. Many are non cancerous but need to be checked thru biopsy to know for sure. Good luck, Madge
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Breast Cancer Community
A quick primer on the different ways breast cancer can be treated.
Diet and digestion have more to do with cancer prevention than you may realize
From mammograms to personal hygiene, learn the truth about these deadly breast cancer rumors.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
