Hey guys,
I had a punch biopsy performed on my nipple to check for Paget's because it was peeling/flaky. I finally got the call with my punch biopsy results.... "benign epithelial fibro polyp"....They want me to come in for a follow up.....
I have the following questions:
1) Why would they want me to come in if it is beningn
2) I googled a epithelial fibroid polyp and saw pictures of skin tags -- that is NOT what i have....
3) Do you think these findings indicate some sort of changes in the skin that can indicate a pre-malignancy?
The BS is away at a conference, and my appointment is next Monday, the 16th....Please any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!
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Member_of_t… Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,555 |
Nov 6, 2009 12:41 pm
Member_of_the_Club wrote:
Not familiar with this particular thing but I would go with the actual biopsy results and not something you found on google. This is not a premalignancy. I'm sure the surgeon wants to discuss whether or not you want to have it removed. Often they want you to remove benign things so they won't mask other problems in the future. He may not even recommend surgery, he may just want to give you the option or discuss the results further. You don't have anything to worry about. Diagnosis: 9/30/2004, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIb, Grade 2, 1/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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Member_of_t… Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,555 |
Nov 6, 2009 12:41 pm
Member_of_the_Club wrote:
Not familiar with this particular thing but I would go with the actual biopsy results and not something you found on google. This is not a premalignancy. I'm sure the surgeon wants to discuss whether or not you want to have it removed. Often they want you to remove benign things so they won't mask other problems in the future. He may not even recommend surgery, he may just want to give you the option or discuss the results further. You don't have anything to worry about. Diagnosis: 9/30/2004, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIb, Grade 2, 1/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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layla26 Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 14 |
Nov 6, 2009 01:07 pm
layla26 wrote:
Thank you so much for responding!! The nurse left me a voicemail saying the result was "benign, an epithelial fibro polyp, a skin tag". I know what those are and that is not what I have on my nipple!! My nipple is dry and flaking and does not have a growth on it of any sort..... I do not have the report infront of me, but left a message requesting a copy be faxed to me.... |
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Mouser Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 141 |
Nov 6, 2009 02:34 pm
Mouser wrote:
Hi Layla -- You need to talk to the surgeon: find out what the actual pathology is, what he recommends and why. Then you can decide if it makes sense and you're done with this, or if you need to look into it further. You can ask for a 2nd opinion on the path slides - either as part of a consult with someone other than the surgeon, or just by itself. The term 'benign' in an actual path report would not fit with 'precancerous' -- there are terms for situations that are not-yet-cancer-but-not-normal: metaplasia, for instance. But not 'benign'. Still, you need to be sure that what is worrying you is what they actually looked at, and that the diagosis makes sense to you. Good luck! I hope your surgeon is one of the good communicators! mouser - IDC 0.5 cm + DCIS 1 cm, 2007; Stage 1, grade 2, ER+PR-, Her-; lumpectomy, rads, letrozole. More calcs 2008; mastectomy.
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leighannmar… Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 27 |
Nov 6, 2009 08:44 pm
leighannmarie wrote:
They always want to do a follow up. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and they can see if there is still something going on and things have healed properly. Yeah, sounds like they think it is a skin tag. You will need to talk to your doc more if you are not confident with this diagnosis. Diagnosis: 4/10/2009, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 1/1 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+ |
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layla26 Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 14 |
Nov 7, 2009 01:26 am
layla26 wrote:
thanks for responding. I am worried about this finding because i have no skin tag on my nipple. I just have to wait and see what the BS says at the follow up. Also, the punch biopsy they did was of my aerola, not nipple (where it is flaky).....is this an issue? |
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whatisthis Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 26 |
Nov 10, 2009 08:34 am
whatisthis wrote:
Layla: I also had a punch biopsy and it was the aerola area not the nipple were I assumed they would do it because of all the problems there. I'm still waiting for my f/u with the Surgeon but I was going to ask why they did it there and not the nipple. I'll be sure to post what the doc says about that because I too am very intrigued by that. |
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sflow Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 130 |
Nov 10, 2009 09:21 am
sflow wrote:
Just a suggestion, but you might post your question to Lillian Shockney--just look on the homepage. She is an oncological nurse and 2 time BC survivor and very knowledgeable. She also has an "ask the expert" column at the Johns Hopkins BC website, but she only answers questions on there periodically. I hope you get some answers. The wait and lack of knowledge are stressful. My best to you Sandi |
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layla26 Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 14 |
Nov 10, 2009 06:37 pm
layla26 wrote:
Thanks guys soo much for your help!! I will update after Monday's follow up with the BS. |
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