results of excisional biopsy...not what I expected - Cancer: Breast Message Board

decgirl1 · 08-03-2007, 05:43 AM

Good Morning Ladies, Yesterday I received the results of excisional biopsy. On needle biop report it stated atypical cells...possible DCIS. 7-17 I had the lump removed for biopsy, hoping that since it said "possible", it would turn out ok, or at the very least be just DCIS(stage0-non-invasive). Well, yesterday i was told the lump they removed contained a very tiny bit of invasive cancer. On 8-7, Tues, they're going to do a sentinel node biopsy. Surgeon said I was T1, think he said that was lowest, since the cancerous are was so tiny and he got it all, it looked pretty good. (he also said that about the core biopsy report (DCIS), that it looked good. So you never know. I"ve been so positive and upbeat during this entire ordeal, not really frightened until now. Not scared of procedure, but results. Cancer in nodes scare me, and especially if it's spread. Since I found lump, I've insisted on things happening pretty quickly, so hopfully it hasn't had time to even get in the nodes. Anyone experience anything similiar? Would love to talk with some of you ladies. This board has been very supportive. Thanks for listening. and good luk to all.
~LYNN~

Beppie1 · 08-03-2007, 05:57 AM

Sounds somewhat similarc to my situation. I did not find the lump or did anyone else. It came up on routine mammogram.

I am surprised that they want to do the sentinel node biopsy without first an MRI and possible lupectomy. Did I miss something here?

Still it all sounds very positive, although it will be scary for you, while you wait for all the tests and results. Hope you can take some comfort in the fact they got it early.

I was sure my nodes would be positive because I have felt so bad for a couple of years. But they were not. Someimtes we expect the worst.

Have they talked to you about other treatment options like radiation, chemo, hormone therapy? All scary thoughts.

Give yourself time to digest it all. You are just starting on the journey, but there will be people to help you along. This site is good, plus sites by the Amercan Cancer Society and breastcancer. something?

decgirl1 · 08-03-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beppie1

Sounds somewhat similarc to my situation. I did not find the lump or did anyone else. It came up on routine mammogram.

I am surprised that they want to do the sentinel node biopsy without first an MRI and possible lupectomy. Did I miss something here?

Still it all sounds very positive, although it will be scary for you, while you wait for all the tests and results. Hope you can take some comfort in the fact they got it early.

I was sure my nodes would be positive because I have felt so bad for a couple of years. But they were not. Someimtes we expect the worst.

Have they talked to you about other treatment options like radiation, chemo, hormone therapy? All scary thoughts.

Give yourself time to digest it all. You are just starting on the journey, but there will be people to help you along. This site is good, plus sites by the Amercan Cancer Society and breastcancer. something?

Beppie, Thanks for replying so promptly. What was reason for your node biop.? Did they find your lump to be cancerous? Sure helps to speak w/somone who's been there. Thx again

decgirl1 · 08-03-2007, 06:20 AM

As I stated earlier, they did do a biopsy to remove all of lump(1cm). and found a very small amoount of invasive cancer. On need biop, the stated on repot...atypical cell..POSSIBLE DCIS, which is stage 0...non-invasive.
I just don't understand why they didnt ceck nodes while they were removing lump???

Beppie1 · 08-03-2007, 06:43 AM

Yes, it does seem to be a little different than my proceedure. They did the biopsy first and like you, said they got the original tumor out. But they wanted to schedule an MRI and the lupectomy to get any other cancerous areas around the original tumor and to get what they call "clear margins". That is why I am surprised they went right to the sentinel node testing. Usually this is done during the lupectomy.

An Mri can detect very small possible cancers. It turned out I had a little activity in front of and behind the orignal tumor. So they took out a rectangular section and checked for clear margins. They did the snb while I was out for the lupect. and got the results immediatley. No node involvement. Now I am waiting to hear what is the next step. Usually radiation first and then one or both of the following; chemo/hormone therapy.

Yes the tumor was cancer, but well differianted and Stage 1. Hope that helps. You might ask your doctor about an MRI and other diagnostic tools and whether he plans to do a lupectomy. Ask him about the clear margins.