Lumpectomy with no biopsy first?

[Anne068]

There was a "suspicious abnormal mass" found on my right breast, according to both the mammogram and ultrasound. The doctor has immediately scheduled me for a lumpectomy, without first doing a biopsy.

I am concerned, he won't tell me anything except we won't know if it's cancer until the "mass" is sent to pathology, and he is being "cautious".

My question... is this normal? To do a lumpectomy without knowing if it's cancer?  Isn't a biopsy usually done FIRST? What are the side effects of a lumpectomy? Will my breast still appear normal?  Does he already Highly Suspect it IS cancer? is that why he's skipping steps?  If so, why won't he just say that?

I'm just really scared and confused,... and all the answers I am getting is that it's "suspicious" and he is being "cautious".  And this whole thing has been rushed with the doctors telling the nurses to schedule "emergency" mammo, "rush" to consult for general surgeon, "rush" for surgury "as soon as possible".

It sounds to me like the know something that I don't, and they're not telling me.

Help!

[torridpink]

This sounds identical to my situation. I have not had a mammogram, as I am 31 years old with very nodular breast tissue.3 years ago I had a needle biopsy of a 4cm, which turned out to be benign tumor in my left breast, but had a lumpectomy because of the size he wanted it to be removed before it did too much damage to the appearance of it. i now have a 5+cm clustered, solid mass surrounded by cystic-something containing floating debris, with thickened walls. I have no idea what any of this means. The radiologist, when she came in to talk to me only said, "I cannot say with any confidence that this is not malignant, you need to find a surgeon and have it removed immediately." All I could think was find him where? Walk the halls of the hospital looking for one, or what? So, I replied instead, with, "I am a full time student and if I have surgery right now I will lose my financial aid because I am smack dab in the middle of summer term." To which she replied, "If you don't have this taken out immediately, you may not have to worry about it." and left the room, just like that. The other dr. I went to kept saying, "Ohhhhhh crap, oh crap honey." What does this all mean? Oh crap you bumped your elbow, or or crap I'm dying? I was expedited onto the Komen Project which will "pay for everything, beginning to end," everything as in WHAT?!, even though I didn't not have the in-sequence exams necessary to qualify for the program being the age that I am; and somehow I have been "expedited and accepted"?

I really, really feel for you and I know how scared you are because they tell you too much, but nothing at all, at the same time. My very first exam for this occurence was last week and I have already had 4 dr.'s appts. and already have a pre-op appt, less than a week after going to the dr. the first time. I know exactly how you feel. I am a complete wreck, I can't stop crying, I can't eat, I can't sleep. I have no friends or family close, or any children to pre-occupy my thoughts and my husband is a wildland firefighter and gone during from April-Nov. except for 2 days home once a month.

Good luck you you, I am adding this to my watch list.

[torridpink]

I had my excisional biopsy yesterday and it doesn't hurt as bad as the last time...building up a tolerance for lumpectomys? LOL I have my follow-up appointment next Thursday, so I am pretty sure that is when I will find out the results. Unfortunately, it's going to be ugly if they are positive because I have no one to go with me when I find out. I was dropped off and picked up for surgery, and then left to be by myself. All of these great "friends" and not ONE person has contacted me to see if I need any help with anything!

Good luck to you, I am praying for you!

[Slove3904]

It is a very scary situation I am schedule to have another biopsy hopefully within the next week. I hope and pray that all of Biopsy will turn to be b-9.

God Bless

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Anne068, There are times when a lumpectomy is the biopsy (called an excisional biopsy).  The decistion about type of biopsy to be done is based on a number of factors, location, size etc.  A second opinion about your situation is always an option for you.  They would need to view your test results, films and in context of examination proceed.