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biopsy results
I got my biopsy results today and it said - positive for malignancy, invasive ductal carcinoma. Is this just very general for a positive result or does it mean something definite in addition to a positive result? I know this site is closed for the weekend. Any feedback from anyone else that has received this same report would be appreciated. They haven't said what stage it is. I guess the oncologist maybe does that. Also, how do they decide whether to do a lumpectomy or mysectomy? The radiologist said from what he saw on the ultrasound that it appeared to just be in the breast area and not in the lymph nodes. Is that pretty reliable to tell just through the ultrasound? My mind is racing at the moment. This information is still fresh on my mind.
According to the initial ultrasound, I have a "1.1cm irregular mass with internal vasularity." The pathology report said "measuring 0.8cm in maximal length in this material." So there was a slight difference in the reported size just between those two.
The bs recommended that I have a bilateral breast MRI, along with PET and CT scans prior to surgery. This was to ensure that there is no cancer elsewhere. The PET scan came back clear but the breast MRI found additional suspicious areas. I'm still waiting for biopsies on these. The MRI described the original mass as being 1.5 x 1.6 x 1.3cm. I presume that the different imaging methods measure differently or otherwise this thing has grown a lot in the five weeks between the ultrasound and the MRI. The MRI found a similarly sized spiculated mass beside the confirmed tumour. The bs has no doubt that this is malignant too and makes my cancer multifocal. The other three areas are small and described as areas of nodular enhancement. If they turn out to be malignant, then it will definitely be a mastectomy. If not, and there are just the two lumps side-by-side, then I will need to make the decision of mastectomy vs. lumpectomy.
Frightening as it was to find out about these additional areas through the MRI, I think it's better to know now than to find out during surgery or six months down the road.
With all these tests and delays by the insurance company in authorizing tests, it's already been eight weeks for me since the initial mammogram. The bs said that the cancer has likely been developing for years and that a few extra weeks won't make a big difference. In my case, my previous mammogram was just eight months ago and they reported nothing suspicious.
Feel free to message me if you want to talk further.
The bs recommended that I have a bilateral breast MRI, along with PET and CT scans prior to surgery. This was to ensure that there is no cancer elsewhere. The PET scan came back clear but the breast MRI found additional suspicious areas. I'm still waiting for biopsies on these. The MRI described the original mass as being 1.5 x 1.6 x 1.3cm. I presume that the different imaging methods measure differently or otherwise this thing has grown a lot in the five weeks between the ultrasound and the MRI. The MRI found a similarly sized spiculated mass beside the confirmed tumour. The bs has no doubt that this is malignant too and makes my cancer multifocal. The other three areas are small and described as areas of nodular enhancement. If they turn out to be malignant, then it will definitely be a mastectomy. If not, and there are just the two lumps side-by-side, then I will need to make the decision of mastectomy vs. lumpectomy.
Frightening as it was to find out about these additional areas through the MRI, I think it's better to know now than to find out during surgery or six months down the road.
With all these tests and delays by the insurance company in authorizing tests, it's already been eight weeks for me since the initial mammogram. The bs said that the cancer has likely been developing for years and that a few extra weeks won't make a big difference. In my case, my previous mammogram was just eight months ago and they reported nothing suspicious.
Feel free to message me if you want to talk further.
Yes, I've been wondering what I would want--lumpectomy or mastectomy. I guess I need to hear what my surgeon has to say first. You're right about receiving the news on Friday, but I went on into my doctor's office to face the music anyway so I wouldn't be wondering over the weekend. I also have a written copy of the pathology report. I think it is good to get as much written information and reports as possible, because it is impossible to remember all they tell you. After I had my routine mammogram and found out they saw something, I was so nervous and couldn't sleep and stay focused at work. I have also been able to push it in the back of my mind pretty much, thanks to a lot of prayer. The thing that makes me most nervous is the word "invasive" and the fact that my last mammogram was two years ago. Hopefully this finding hasn't been there too long. It measures 20 mm. How big was yours? I also have another area in the same breast that shows clustered calcifications, but they are just going to take that out when I have surgery. I think the best thing we can all do is keep a positive outlook and keep the faith. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and feel free to contact me again. I wish you the best.
Thank you so much for your reply and for taking the time to give me so much information. So, yours was non-invasive and mine is invasive, right. The word "invasive" makes me nervous, but the radiologist assured me it was not in the lymph nodes. I will have them checked anyway. I just want lymphedema. Asking questions out of knowledge is the right way to go. Did I understand correctly that you had a bilateral mastectomy? I'm wondering if that is the way I should go. My dad told me before he passed away (due to a car accident) that when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that he carried the breast cancer gene. If you want to share your anesthesia problems, I would be interested in hearing about that. I had not thought about second and third opinions, but maybe I should. I just don't to let any more time go by risking spreading and I'm not sure my insurance would cover all that. I will have to check. Thanks again for all your valuable information and I wish you the best.
Hi Carol:
So sorry you got that news. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common form of breast cancer, I think it accounts for 80% of cases. I got the same report following my biopsy over three weeks ago and like you my mind was reeling when I got the news. I'm still waiting for further testing before I can make a decision on lumpectomy or mastectomy.
It's so awful to get the results like this on a Friday when you can't ask any questions of your doctor until next week. It helped me to get a copy of the written pathology report from the breast surgeon's office, in that it helped me accept it but everyone is different. What I kept telling myself when I found out was that I was the same person after getting the news, I just knew something new about what was going on in my body. Gradually I've learned to push it to the back of my mind and get on with day-today things.
So sorry you got that news. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common form of breast cancer, I think it accounts for 80% of cases. I got the same report following my biopsy over three weeks ago and like you my mind was reeling when I got the news. I'm still waiting for further testing before I can make a decision on lumpectomy or mastectomy.
It's so awful to get the results like this on a Friday when you can't ask any questions of your doctor until next week. It helped me to get a copy of the written pathology report from the breast surgeon's office, in that it helped me accept it but everyone is different. What I kept telling myself when I found out was that I was the same person after getting the news, I just knew something new about what was going on in my body. Gradually I've learned to push it to the back of my mind and get on with day-today things.
I know your fears and concerns. I was diagnosed with DCIS - Satge 0 over a year ago. although I had perfect mammograms I discovered a large lump that came up almost overnight and even when doctor was telling me to ignore I refused to ignore it. I have learned that breast cancer is a complicated and ever -changing animal. I read and researched and educated myself from all sources possible so that when I saw a surgeon I could ask out of knowledge and not out of fear. I would make the following recommendations (not at a medical professional but as a lay person;
1) Do your research.
2) Write down any and all questions
3) Read your pathology reports and define words in lay terms you can understand
4) Always remember you have choices in decisions that are made.
5) Look up skin-sparing mastectomy with free tram flap reconstruction
6) Diagnosis can change with each biopsy / surgery be prepared for that. My diagnosis has been revised at least 4 times.
7) Make sure that both breasts are checked. I requested my own MRI when I learned that DCIS is very likely to occur in both breasts if it occurs in one. Sure enough I had it in both but doctors were only concerned with the one.
8) According to my surgical reports I had bilateral mastectomies but I still have 2 boobs!
9) IF it's invasive you will want lymph nodes checked via surgery just to make sure.
10) There is invasive and non-invasive DCIS......but my understanding is that if caught in the DCIS stage it has been caught very early.
My Stage was determined by the pathology report. I am just out of surgery as of 7 weeks ago and will start radiation next week. As of now I will not be going through chemo. I have 5 lymph nodes negative.
You will possibly be given the option of lumpectomy or mastectomy.....I had a family history which influenced my decision. And whatever surgery you have demand an anesthsia pre-operative assesment......long story but my life has been changed forever due to anesthesia problems.
11) GET A SECOND AND THIRD OPINION AND FOURTH IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL SECURE IN WHATEVER DECISION YOU MAKE!
I wish you the best! You will be ok.
1) Do your research.
2) Write down any and all questions
3) Read your pathology reports and define words in lay terms you can understand
4) Always remember you have choices in decisions that are made.
5) Look up skin-sparing mastectomy with free tram flap reconstruction
6) Diagnosis can change with each biopsy / surgery be prepared for that. My diagnosis has been revised at least 4 times.
7) Make sure that both breasts are checked. I requested my own MRI when I learned that DCIS is very likely to occur in both breasts if it occurs in one. Sure enough I had it in both but doctors were only concerned with the one.
8) According to my surgical reports I had bilateral mastectomies but I still have 2 boobs!
9) IF it's invasive you will want lymph nodes checked via surgery just to make sure.
10) There is invasive and non-invasive DCIS......but my understanding is that if caught in the DCIS stage it has been caught very early.
My Stage was determined by the pathology report. I am just out of surgery as of 7 weeks ago and will start radiation next week. As of now I will not be going through chemo. I have 5 lymph nodes negative.
You will possibly be given the option of lumpectomy or mastectomy.....I had a family history which influenced my decision. And whatever surgery you have demand an anesthsia pre-operative assesment......long story but my life has been changed forever due to anesthesia problems.
11) GET A SECOND AND THIRD OPINION AND FOURTH IF IT MAKES YOU FEEL SECURE IN WHATEVER DECISION YOU MAKE!
I wish you the best! You will be ok.
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