need more info

[trisha668]

I am schedule to do a stereotactec core biopsy due to a small group of calcification on my right breast.
This is the first time that I hear about this procedure. I am reading a lot of information over the website, and I can not understand why we need to do this procedure and after do a surgery?
Would be better for the patient, just to do one procedure? instead of two?
and I am very concern about what I read about the pain. I am having second thoughts about this procedure.
I would love to hear some comments.
Thank You,
Trisha

[madgeOwens]

I had the biopsy today, and right now I hurt.  The titanium chip is put there for a marker for future mammograms, unless you have further surgery of course,and we are hoping for that not to be the case.  Its not that bad, but i don't hope I have to do it ever gain actually. You will do fine...just relax as much as possible and take slow deep breaths....I think I didnt breath enough, from fear....don't do that.  I drove myself...I would not say to do that....they put a binder on my chest and its hard to drive...so have someone take you. Good luck.....really you will be ok...its just the needle sticks to numb your breast that hurts.....I don't know how bad it will get after yet...but I do hurt/

[trisha668]

Thank you for all that info.
I research about the mark or chip, and it is a titanium clip that is inserted after the biopsy.
Now I wonder if I can do this stereotactic breast biopsy without the marker...
Thanks  again,
Trisha

[GayleD]

I had a stereotactic biopsy a few weeks ago after a diagnostic mammogram showed a small cluster of microcalcifications.  The procedure was not bad at all, and neither was the pain.  The worst part was having to lie so still for so long while all of the prep work is done!  The procedure itself only takes a few minutes but all of the prep stuff took more than half an hour.  Once you are in position, they inject something to numb your breast (local anesthesia), and after that initial needle sting from that injection, you really don't feel anything.  

You can take Tylenol afterwards if you have pain, but I didn't have too much.  They recommend that you ice the incision area about 20 minutes or so every hour, which I did.  It helped to reduce the pain, swelling, and bruising.  The small bruises that I got were pretty much gone after a week or so--and I bruise easily!   I drove home from the biopsy and was out walking the dog later that evening (I had the procedure in the morning).  

My biopsy results showed DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), which is technically breast cancer, but it is Stage 0, which is the earliest you can get!  Keep in mind that if something is found in your biopsy, it's likely to be VERY early stage cancer that is not invasive, meaning it is isolate in one area (in situ) and has not spread anywhere else.   The prognosis for Stage 0 breast cancer is excellent, and the odds are in favor of your biopsy showing that the cells are benign versus cancer at any stage!  

I will most likely be having a lumpectomy since a steretactic biopsy is not intended to fully remove the area, just take a sample of the cells for analysis.  If my surgeon gets good "clear margins" which he thinks he can, I might not even need or choose to have radiation afterward.  

I have to have an ultrasound biopsy on Thursday and an MRI-guided core needle biospy on Friday for a few other areas that came up as "enhanced" on my recent MRI.  Those are most likely benign enhancements from the MRI, so I'm staying optimistic that nothing else of concern will be found.  You stay optimistic too and try not to worry...odds are it's nothing, and even if it is "something" odds are it's early stage and pretty easily treatable.

[kittyluv1]

Yes, the "chip" and "marker" are probably the same just using different terminology.  My experience was with an ultrasound guided core biopsy (2 areas) and the biopsy findings were intraductal papillomas.  These lesions are not cancer and not deemed to be pre-cancerous, but remain high risk lesions and need to be excised for final pathology determination.  I am scheduled for a surgical consult on Aug 18th.  I am not overly worried, as the percentages are in favor of being benign (17% might be malignant -- therefore, 83% are benign).
I hope that the biopsy you are having will provide definitive diagnosis for you -- should they recommend surgery, it is only to validate the pathology found on biopsy and does not mean that you have any increased risk of malignancy,
Best wishes, and I hope your results are good.

[trisha668]

Thanks for answering.
Now I understand about the "marker", and I still don't know about the "chip".
Is "chip" and "marker" the same thing?
I am schedule to do this procedure " stereotactic core biopsy " next friday in the hospital at the radiology dept and I am trying to get in touch with them before friday, just to get more information.
Thanks again, your info is very helpful.
Trisha

[kittyluv1]

I forgot to mention that the "marker" is placed at the time of the biopsy and consists of a small amout of radiographic material that will permanently remain inside your breast and enable any further examinations to locate the area biopsied and determine if any further changes have occurred since the initial biopsy.  You needn't be worried about setting off any airport alarms or beeping at inadvertent times -- the marker can only be seen on radiographic exams and is unable to be felt when you examine your breasts.

[kittyluv1]

Hi!
A stereotactic biopsy is just one method of removing a very small portion of the breast tissue to determine the cell morphology.  It is usually done under guided imagery to be certain that all suspicious areas are examined.  The pathologist will look at the cells under a microscope and determine a BRIADS score (Breast Imaging And Data Reporting System)/  The score (0-6) will determine if additional testing is warranted and whether the suspicious area on mammography is malignant or not.  Greater percentages of biopsies prove to be non-cancerous and the biopsy itself is only mildly uncomfortable.  If you wish to read more about how a biopsy is performed, I suggest you read this Forum and look for the heading "Biopsy -".  I would be glad to provide additional information if you request it.
I have been an oncology nurse for about 25 years and have some experience in this area, as well as having just undergone an ultrasound guided core biopsy.
Let me know if this helps ---

[madgeOwens]

Thanks, I will say a prayer for ou too.

[trisha668]

Thanks again.
I am educating myself about this procedure, so I can have my questions when I talk with my doctor.
And I am going to clean the house this weekend, like you!!!
Good Luck to you this week too!!
Trisha

[madgeOwens]

Yes my pamphlet mentioned the chip.  I believe its so they have a marker of where they biopsy maybe. I will read it again and get back later. Don't worry.  Yes well....I know....I am worrying also, I guess its something you cannot get away from. I have been cleaning the house a lot.

[trisha668]

Thank You for answering..Since I scheduled my appointment for next friday (Aug15), I am planning to talk with my gynecologist and radiologist for more info ,and also I forgot to mention in the post I am very concerning because the nurse told me that they are going to insert a chip, and I am not reading anything about this chip, I only read about mark, which I don't know what is.
Thanks again,
Trisha

[madgeOwens]

I am scheduled for the same test on Tuesday.  I have to agree that I hate to have tis procedure and then even if its benign, they tell you we better surgically remove this so it does not become malignant.  Maybe they will do nothing if the biopsy is not cancer...I have a consult with the surgeon prior to the biopsy and I am hoping he will shed more light on this then.  It makes me feel that they really think its cancer just because they sceduled the sugeon consult.  Its a worry thats for sure. My house is sure getting clean as I try and keep myself busy as to not dwell on it all. Good luck to you.
Letme know how you make out.
Madge