Aa
stereotactic biopsy
I am 57 y/o - postmenopausal - On 10/3 I had my yearly mammogram. I got a call back a week later for recheck on my left breast. I didn't know until I got in there that they found microcalcifications. I got nervous when they walked me back to talk to the radiologist and needless to say when he started pointing out the calcifications and showing me the three clusters, one in particular that had the most in it, talking about the shapes etc. He was quick to say most of these tend to be benign but again he started talking about the shapes and something to do about the edges. Needless to say I could think of no questions for him, he did telll me to contact a surgeon as soon as possible for a biopsy. There is no history of bc in my family, that I know of, but other types of cancer in my father's side of the family. In Sept I just had 4 pre-cancerous polyps removed from my colon. Now this. My surgeon has me scheduled for a stereotactic biopsy in 11 days, thru her I found out the cluster with the most microcalcs is at 10 o'clock but no one has mentioned anything about BIRADS ratings (or if they did I missed it). I am very nervous about this, my father died at age 57 of cancer, my brother thinks he has testicular cancer (at least he has a lump that has grown over the last 4 years that he has ignored no matter what signs he has. With what I am going thru he has decided he better get that checked out sooner than later. Thank God.) But I live alone with no family and I am not as cool and calm as I try to let on that I am. Could someone please help me understand this stuff? lauraT
I am getting really scared here. I have a stereotactic scheduled for Wednesday. I have heard it is suppossed to be painless, but on other sites I have read horror stories. Litacaine is used, which doesn't numb me well at the dentist office - so that has me worried. In the past I have had three benign lumps removed, a couple of cysts aspirated, it just seems like one of these times it has to turn up to be cancer. I am 47 and have had a mammogram for 18 years, because my mom had breast cancer. Any I am just worried about the pain, and will I be able to play tennis the next day?
Laura, benign, GREAT!
Doesn't it just give you a whole new lease, on life? After all that you've had to go through. All of this ****.
Well, it did for me.
And that Tamoxifen issue. That first came up with my right breast 2cm IDC diagnosis/successful lumpectomy/WIDE margins, in August, 2006. After I refused the radiation, I met with the oncologist and she basically said, "Well, if you refused the radiation, the Tamoxifen isn't going to help you, much."
And so, I didn't do it. And I feel great about it, to this day. It was the right choice, for me.
If my breast cancer comes back, I'll deal with it, again. Cut it out, again.
Although, it was interesting. My negative left breast October 2007 surgical biopsy results, (no cancer, no nothing) came after the August 2007 stereotacic diagnosis of ADH.
But then, after the surgical biopsy, again, negative, for anything, my surgeon outlines my options. Which were:
1) Continue 6 months monitoring. Mammos/MRIs
2) Take Tamoxifen
3) Have a bi-lateral mastectomy
The 3) caused great astonishment. To me! That had NEVER been discussed, even with with my 2cm IDC.
I guess she had to say it, to me, so that it would be in my medical record. So, I wouldn't come back and sue her, if the breast cancer, recurs.
Or whatever, I don't know. Again, I just find it sad that IMO, too many women do get bi-lateral mastectomies. For nothing. Because these doctors frighten them in, to it. A Mastectomy for some 2mm DCIS.
In the end, I'm choosing for myself. And everyone else is too.
Just choose, wisely.
Mary
Doesn't it just give you a whole new lease, on life? After all that you've had to go through. All of this ****.
Well, it did for me.
And that Tamoxifen issue. That first came up with my right breast 2cm IDC diagnosis/successful lumpectomy/WIDE margins, in August, 2006. After I refused the radiation, I met with the oncologist and she basically said, "Well, if you refused the radiation, the Tamoxifen isn't going to help you, much."
And so, I didn't do it. And I feel great about it, to this day. It was the right choice, for me.
If my breast cancer comes back, I'll deal with it, again. Cut it out, again.
Although, it was interesting. My negative left breast October 2007 surgical biopsy results, (no cancer, no nothing) came after the August 2007 stereotacic diagnosis of ADH.
But then, after the surgical biopsy, again, negative, for anything, my surgeon outlines my options. Which were:
1) Continue 6 months monitoring. Mammos/MRIs
2) Take Tamoxifen
3) Have a bi-lateral mastectomy
The 3) caused great astonishment. To me! That had NEVER been discussed, even with with my 2cm IDC.
I guess she had to say it, to me, so that it would be in my medical record. So, I wouldn't come back and sue her, if the breast cancer, recurs.
Or whatever, I don't know. Again, I just find it sad that IMO, too many women do get bi-lateral mastectomies. For nothing. Because these doctors frighten them in, to it. A Mastectomy for some 2mm DCIS.
In the end, I'm choosing for myself. And everyone else is too.
Just choose, wisely.
Mary
When it comes to the breast I would not let it go even if you just go to the family doctor and let them check it and give you advice. Hope you make out well and just keep researching.
Sincerely,
Popcorn3
Sincerely,
Popcorn3
Got the results from the lumpectomy. The rest of the microcalcs they got out were benign so I'm clear. YaHoo ;-) ! She did say that on Monday they met with the onocologist [guess this is a routine Monday meeting when all surgeons who have treated anyone for BC talk about continuing treatments]. He agreed I didn't need the radiation but he suggested a treatment of Tamoxifen. Dr McFall and I discussed this in some detail before my surgery and I said that treatment was out and she told the onocologist that. So it's just a mammo for the left side only in 6 months.
Laura
Laura
Laura, I'm so GLAD it all worked out so well!
And ha, even with my benign results, I'm on the "more frequent mammogram schedule," as well, for a while. Probably, for a long while.
Like you.
But that's totally fine. Maybe like you, after all of this, the more frequent mammos just result in getting anything caught, earlier. And by now, I'm totally up, for that.
If they can cut it out, do it.
And, IMO, that's very good that Dr . McFall didn't recommend, the radiation. Because you don't need it. Everyone told me that I needed the radiation, with my 2cm IDC, but I did not agree. In my view, it comes back, again, cut it out, again. I have a high risk tolerance. After already getting cancer.
I'm comfortable, with the recurrence risk. I was NOT comfortable, with the radiation side effects. It wasn't worth it, to me.
But just, again, I'm so happy, for you! Now, it's done, now you can just live. You've been through the mill, and emerged, on the other side.
Have a great Holiday Season!
Mary
And ha, even with my benign results, I'm on the "more frequent mammogram schedule," as well, for a while. Probably, for a long while.
Like you.
But that's totally fine. Maybe like you, after all of this, the more frequent mammos just result in getting anything caught, earlier. And by now, I'm totally up, for that.
If they can cut it out, do it.
And, IMO, that's very good that Dr . McFall didn't recommend, the radiation. Because you don't need it. Everyone told me that I needed the radiation, with my 2cm IDC, but I did not agree. In my view, it comes back, again, cut it out, again. I have a high risk tolerance. After already getting cancer.
I'm comfortable, with the recurrence risk. I was NOT comfortable, with the radiation side effects. It wasn't worth it, to me.
But just, again, I'm so happy, for you! Now, it's done, now you can just live. You've been through the mill, and emerged, on the other side.
Have a great Holiday Season!
Mary
Well the lumpectomy went even better than the biopsy did. The first day I had just a little discomfort, more like a pinching than a pain. No new bruising. Dr McFall said it went so well she didn't even recommend radiation, just more frequent mammograms for awhile. She surronded the area with small clips so they could see the area plainly on the mammograms.
I can't tell you how much this board helped me. When I first heard the word "abnormalities and calcifications" I was so worried and scared. Now I am very confident that there will be no re-occurance and if there is I know the procedures.
Good thing I don't have to worry about the small size that had to be excized from my breast. When I was in my teens and 20's I barely filled out a 32B. As I got older, I got heavier and finally went up to a 44 but barely filling in the C cup. The incision was made along the areola so unless I do my regular and keloid it shouldn't be noticable.
Thanks Mary
Laura
I can't tell you how much this board helped me. When I first heard the word "abnormalities and calcifications" I was so worried and scared. Now I am very confident that there will be no re-occurance and if there is I know the procedures.
Good thing I don't have to worry about the small size that had to be excized from my breast. When I was in my teens and 20's I barely filled out a 32B. As I got older, I got heavier and finally went up to a 44 but barely filling in the C cup. The incision was made along the areola so unless I do my regular and keloid it shouldn't be noticable.
Thanks Mary
Laura
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