Stereotactic biopsy
i have IDC and was suppose to have surgery on the 28th. The day before, my surgeon called to cancel. There are suspicious microcalcifications that we want to test first. On the 29th I had an MRI and was suppose to have a stereotactic biopsy on the 10th. Today the nurse called to say they want to do it sooner. She will call me back tomorrow with a different date. Now I’m worried as to why they want to do it sooner. My surgery is on the 18th but not sure what is getting done now with this new tests. Should I be worried
Comments
-
Hey, that is tough. It's hard when you get mentally prepared and then they cancel, only to change things again. Hang in there girl.
0 -
Thank you. It is hard when they keep changing things. Good thing I’m on vacation but hard mentally.
0 -
0
-
I had a stereotactic biopsy today on my left breast. What is a difference between stereotactic biopsy and core biopsy. Why do they do the stereotactic biopsy rather than core biopsy.
0 -
Hi @dpako, A core needle biopsy is done when a suspicious mass is visible on ultrasound or when there is a palpable lump. A stereotactic biopsy is done when there are abnormal calcifications or a suspicious area visible on a mammogram but not on ultrasound. I hope your biopsy comes back as benign.
0 -
Thank you Maggie.
0 -
after my stereotactic biopsy I have some discomfort by rib on left side from the compression they must have really compressed is that normal? The biopsy site doesn’t bother me at all. Any thoughts?
0 -
I had my stereotactic biopsy on Wednesday on left breast and everything seems to be fine except I have pain on rib by left side when I breathe, cough and move a certain way is that normal? Did anybody have that discomfort after the biopsy?
0 -
it feels like a pulled muscle on left side of my breast is that common when you have a stereotactic biopsy?
0 -
The biopsy showed micro-invasive lobular carcinoma, classic type, intermediate nuclei. Going to surgeon tomorrow. This is a real bummer.
1 -
doing lumpectomy on 4/17 hopefully there is no node involvement so I won’t need chemo. I had bc on right side 10 years ago now it’s on left side. I really never thought I would get it back I guess I was wrong.
0 -
Does anyone know about sentinel node biopsy after age 70 pros and cons? Do they recommend it after age 70?
0 -
Hi @dpako, Whether to do a SNB after 70 depends on the pathology and circumstances. In the case of microinvasion and no palpable or US node involvement it might not be necessary. The fact that you had bc before might be a reason why it should be done. You will have to decide whether to do radiation, hormone therapy or both and knowing the SNB status would make that decision easier. SNB is less invasive than the ALND done in the past and currently for some stage III patients. Statistically SNB causes lymphedema in 3.7 to 17% of women while ALND causes LE in 20 to 50% of patients. Did you discuss this at the appointment with your surgeon?
0 -
no I didn’t. He did say we need to talk about sentinel node biopsy but I didn’t discuss it at that appointment. I called and left message but didn’t hear from him so I texted him on my portal yesterday and one of his staff responded I will call you to clarify. I see on my appointments that he does have me down for sentinel biopsy. I had it on my right side 10 years ago and 2 nodes were cancerous. It was ductal carcinoma now it’s Microinvasive lobular carcinoma. But the mri doesn’t show any node involvement. I went for a second opinion locally and the surgeon said all I need is a lumpectomy. But my feeling is why not do a sentinel biopsy just to be sure. He didn’t mention IORT to avoid radiation. I had that last time and 5 weeks of radiation. I did not have any lymphedema last time. You seem to be knowledgeable. What do you think?
0 -
Hi @dpako, I think that you are leaning toward the right decision. Since you had IDC before with two positive nodes checking would give you peace of mind. My nodes looked OK on ultrasound but one of them was positive. With a microinvasive tumor at your age you may not need radiation but it would be something to ask about. I didn’t need chemo since my Oncotype was 24 but I had axillary radiation added because of that node. I ended up with breast (not arm) LE but it was due to radiation, not surgery. Good luck getting your treatment plan finalized.
0 -
Thank you so much Maggie. When I saw the surgeon he said it's probably stage 1 or 1A. The last time it was 2A. The reason I am confused is that the second opinion said they don't do sentinel node biopsy at my age she said there is no benefit. But I guess I will do it to have peace of mind. I did ask about oncotype test and my surgeon said it's too small for that. My oncologist said I will have a lumpectomy and probably 1 week of radiation. But I will ask about that after surgery. I just pray no chemo. You seem so knowledgeable how do I check the grade of this cancer on the biopsy results. Thank you so much for your help and knowledge.
Debbie
0 -
The pathologist usually gives the grade on the biopsy pathology report. Sometimes it is given as separate Nottingham scores (tubules, nuclear grade, mitotic activity) which can be added together to get the grade. My first pathologist at a small hospital just saw DCIS on the slide and gave it a grade of 3. The second pathologist who viewed the slide noticed microinvasion but gave no grade or Nottingham scores. The surgical pathologist who specializes in breast cancer determined my actual tumor was IDC with adjacent DCIS grade 3. She then revisited the biopsy slide where she found 2 cm of IDC and was able to determine the grade. I guess there is no knowing exactly what is there until after surgery.
If the ILC is too small for an oncotype you most likely won't have chemo. My oncotype was two points below the score where chemo is recommended for older women so my RO just added axillary radiation because of the positive node. A week of radiation sounds not too bad. I hope it all goes well.
0 -
Hi Maggie,
I see cores with numbers but I don't know what they mean. I did ask my oncologist what that means and she said I don't need to know that it doesn't really mean anything. I had axillary radiation the last time because of 2 positive nodes and I was fine. Except after the 5th week I was really burnt to a crisp on right breast. I also had IORT plus 5 weeks of radiation. If it's going to be only 1 week I think I can deal with it. But for the life of me I don't know why they don't give me IORT with lumpectomy so I don't need radiation at all. I can give you the biology of the tumor but not score I didn't see anything you mentioned. R u a doctor or just research this stuff and you know what you are talking about. I really appreciate your input.
0
