Aa
biopsy results- help!
my 58 year old mom has been doing a mammography every 6 months. the latest results show a lump that is 1.5 cm big. the radiologist immediately diagnosed it as cancerous. her surgeon however ordered a needle biopsy before he surgically removes the lump. while taking the biopsy, the radiologist told her that the lump is actually soft and that it was a good sign. they told us we had to wait 1 week until we get the results. i'm confused, why is having a soft lump better news? why is it taking a week to get the results back? and why did the radiologist immediately assumed it's cancer? i'm going crazy, i'd appreciate some more information on the subject plz!
Hi,
As very nicely explained by Twocapes, the biopsy report does take some time to come. Do ask the doctor for a copy of the report for yourself.
There are certain radiological features or specific pattrns seen on the mammogram from which a radiologist caan classify a breast lesion into a probably benign; probably malignant or suspicious category.
That is why your radiologist would have commented about the lump being cancerous - what BIRADS category did he assign? Do you have a copy of the mammogram report?
Even if that is the case the radiologist generally gives the diagnosis as 'probably' and not 'for sure'. A confirmed diagnosis can only be given once the biopsy reports come in.
The lump being soft imples fatty tissue or some benign lesion whereas a hard lump signifies calcifications or fibrosis etc.- but then ths again this is a non confirmatory observation.
Do let us know about the biopsy results.
Lets hope all is fine and if it is not - it would be best to be relaxed and strong.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
As very nicely explained by Twocapes, the biopsy report does take some time to come. Do ask the doctor for a copy of the report for yourself.
There are certain radiological features or specific pattrns seen on the mammogram from which a radiologist caan classify a breast lesion into a probably benign; probably malignant or suspicious category.
That is why your radiologist would have commented about the lump being cancerous - what BIRADS category did he assign? Do you have a copy of the mammogram report?
Even if that is the case the radiologist generally gives the diagnosis as 'probably' and not 'for sure'. A confirmed diagnosis can only be given once the biopsy reports come in.
The lump being soft imples fatty tissue or some benign lesion whereas a hard lump signifies calcifications or fibrosis etc.- but then ths again this is a non confirmatory observation.
Do let us know about the biopsy results.
Lets hope all is fine and if it is not - it would be best to be relaxed and strong.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
I used to work in a pathology lab - infact my boss read my biopsy and had to inform me that I had breast cancer - I felt worse for her than I did myself!! Anyway - specimens have to be cut, stained, and they need to set (minimum 48 hours). The pathologist has to read it and dictate it. The transcriptionist has to type it and then it has to be sent or faxed to the referring doctor/surgeon. If you are talking over a weekend, it will probably sit until Monday. So a week is really not that long unless, of course, you are the patient or family. It is upsetting that the radiologist immediately diagnosed cancer becausing the deciding factor is the pathology although some radiologists who have been doing specifically breasts for years can tell but I still don't think they should say anything until final diagnosis.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Hi,
It would be very difficult to say about the stage like i said in my previous post - but this should most probably be either stage 1 or stage 2a.
Why dont you just call the doctor again and clarify about the stage?
Your doctor is right about the further management plan in the case of your mother.
Some pain and discomfort is common post surgery - you need to ask your doctor to prescribe you some pain relief medications that can be taken as and when required.
He/ she would also discuss with you a list of do's and dont's after the surgery. She would not be allowed to lift heavy weights etc.
Wearing lose clothes and a supporting bra would help.
Do let us know about her progress.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
It would be very difficult to say about the stage like i said in my previous post - but this should most probably be either stage 1 or stage 2a.
Why dont you just call the doctor again and clarify about the stage?
Your doctor is right about the further management plan in the case of your mother.
Some pain and discomfort is common post surgery - you need to ask your doctor to prescribe you some pain relief medications that can be taken as and when required.
He/ she would also discuss with you a list of do's and dont's after the surgery. She would not be allowed to lift heavy weights etc.
Wearing lose clothes and a supporting bra would help.
Do let us know about her progress.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Hi,
i'm pretty sure he said stage 1 B, i even noted it down so i could research it on the net. maybe he was confused? based on the results of the biopsy, which stage would you give it?
So far the doctor gave us a choice between a lumpectomy followed by 6 weeks of radiation or a mastectomy.
He said that both choices are equal in success rate, but after the lumpectomy the test results on the lump would show if a mastectomy is further needed.
my mom is scheduled for surgery this monday, he said the operation will take 2 hours and she will stay for 2 nights at the hospital.
Do you know if she will be in pain or discomfort after a lumpectomy?
thank you again for all your help and for answering my questions.
Sue
i'm pretty sure he said stage 1 B, i even noted it down so i could research it on the net. maybe he was confused? based on the results of the biopsy, which stage would you give it?
So far the doctor gave us a choice between a lumpectomy followed by 6 weeks of radiation or a mastectomy.
He said that both choices are equal in success rate, but after the lumpectomy the test results on the lump would show if a mastectomy is further needed.
my mom is scheduled for surgery this monday, he said the operation will take 2 hours and she will stay for 2 nights at the hospital.
Do you know if she will be in pain or discomfort after a lumpectomy?
thank you again for all your help and for answering my questions.
Sue
Hi,
I am sorry to hear about the biopsy report coming out not good.
Well the biopsy is suggestive of cancer as your doctor has already told you.
I think there must have been some confusion in hearing what stage the doctor said.
You should clarify this with her again.
What treatment and management plan has been advised to your mother?
Do keep us updated about your mother's health.
Good luck.
I am sorry to hear about the biopsy report coming out not good.
Well the biopsy is suggestive of cancer as your doctor has already told you.
I think there must have been some confusion in hearing what stage the doctor said.
You should clarify this with her again.
What treatment and management plan has been advised to your mother?
Do keep us updated about your mother's health.
Good luck.
Hi,
thank you both for answering my questions. my mom's results just came in and they read as the following:
Microscopy:
the core biopsy of the right breast very tiny shows:
- striated muscular fibers
- fibro-adipose tissue
- one tiny fragment presented:
one duct exhibiting intraductal hyperplasia
malignant epithelial proliferation consisting of irregular trabeculae exhibiting neo glands
anisocytosis, anisonucleosis and atypical mitoses are moderate
diagnoses:
infiltrating ductal carcinoma, moderatly differentiated
grade 2 SBR, Nuclear grade 2
Can you please help me make sense of the above? her doctor said she has stage 1b Cancer. i've searched online and there was no classifcation (a,b) in stage 1.
I really appreciate your help!
thank you both for answering my questions. my mom's results just came in and they read as the following:
Microscopy:
the core biopsy of the right breast very tiny shows:
- striated muscular fibers
- fibro-adipose tissue
- one tiny fragment presented:
one duct exhibiting intraductal hyperplasia
malignant epithelial proliferation consisting of irregular trabeculae exhibiting neo glands
anisocytosis, anisonucleosis and atypical mitoses are moderate
diagnoses:
infiltrating ductal carcinoma, moderatly differentiated
grade 2 SBR, Nuclear grade 2
Can you please help me make sense of the above? her doctor said she has stage 1b Cancer. i've searched online and there was no classifcation (a,b) in stage 1.
I really appreciate your help!
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