Core biopsy - Cancer: Breast Message Board

Belle2003 · 01-26-2007, 02:24 PM

Six months ago I had a cyst in my breast which was aspirated. I was told to come back for a 6 month follow up mammogram. Well it turned out that I had calcifications that they wanted to monitor. A cluster of calcifications have grown so they now want to do a core biopsy. I am scheduled for this coming Thursday. Has anyone had this and how was the procedure and after effects? I am told that only 20% of these calcifications are positive for cancer, so I am trying my best not to panic. Any words of wisdom or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

BioAdoptMom3 · 01-26-2007, 10:41 PM

There are different types of core biopsies. What type are you having? I had one (sterotactic) two years ago and I do remember the radiologist telling me that these types of things were very rarely cancerous, but they have to make sure. Let me know what type you are having and I will tell you more about the procedure if I can.

Nancy

newfie11 · 01-27-2007, 04:21 AM

Because you have calcifications I would suspect you will have a Stereotactic Core bx. Most places do not use ultrasound guided core bx's for calcifications due to the difficulty on seeing the calcs with U/S.
On a stereo you will lie face down on a table with a hole for the breast to fall through. There will be some compression (not as much as required for a mammogram). There will be prelim pictures taken (of only the area of interest) and then you will have a numbing shot. After all the parameters are set the doctor will shoot the needle into the breast taking tissue samples. It depends on the doctor and what they see on the sample films as to how many times this is done. There should be very little to no pain. They will insert a tiny marker into the area they did the bx. You will not ever know it is there but it will show on every ***** you ever have. Afterwards the technologist will apply pressure to the breast to halt any bleeding (be sure you are off all meds that can cause bleeding well before this procedure). They may do a follow up mammogram film before you go home. Most places have a small ice pack that you will place in your bra. The samples as sent to a lab and hopefully you will hear something within a day or two.
Good luck to you and you are right in thinking not all calcs are cancerous.
Newfie11

Belle2003 · 01-27-2007, 01:53 PM

Thank you so much for your posts. I fear the unknown and having information helps lessen my anxiety. I saw my mamogram and it looked like the night sky with little stars all around. The technician said that they were calcifications. Since I have so many all over, I fear that is not a good sign. It is so hard to keep a positive attitude. At least I don't have long to wait for my biopsy.

I figure that if I do have cancer, that I will go for the masectomy without reconstruction. If I had a lumpectomy I would be stressed that there was still other calcifications in there ready to become cancerous. Since I am thin, I would need an implant for reconstruction and that would make the needed mamograms difficult causing me to be stressed too. So if I do have cancer, I would be better off psychologically just having the masectomy with no reconstruction.

I know that I am jumping the gun, but I have always been the type to think the worst, and hope for the best.

Thanks again for taking the time to help.

newfie11 · 01-28-2007, 07:50 AM

If the calcs are not close together but little/large bright single dots all around the breast it would indicate benign calcs (like a stary sky). I would very much doubt they will do a bx on that. Did the technologist show you the exact area they were going to bx? Cancer can be one cell off of where the samples come from and usually there are one or two areas of major concern for a bx, sometimes more but never the entire breast.
One other note, usually the cancer has passed where the calcs show up. They are left in the process of it moving through. There are still cancer cells there.
When you see the radiologist I would ask him/her to point out the area of concern. I don't know if you got to talk to the radiologist after your mammogram or not. I would stress you do before the bx.
There are pro and cons in reconstruction if it comes to that. It would be a personal choice. Many many times calcs look like cancer but turn out to be a benign process.
newfie11