Having core biopsy on Friday - very scared

Hi everyone. I just joined the group. Last friday I had a comprehensive mammo/US due to ongoing clear, yellow discharge in left breast. Dr. found a 1cmx1cmx1cm irregular hypechoic mass with a suspicious US appearance. Says it is highly suggestive of malignancy.

Can they tell if it is BC just from the mammo/US?

I am so scared about all of this, and I know you guys have all had these emotions and things. In 2001 the discharge was tested and I was told it could possibly be a papilloma but that nothing showed on films/US. I've also had a LARGE lymph note in the outside part of my breast not quite into my underarm all this time as well. Docs said it was just an enlarged node, not to worry. I have large, very dense breasts, so I hope nothing was ever missed!

Now I'm worried because of the radiologists report, the large node, plus since having my non-working gallbladder out in 6/01, I've had pain in left quadrant that has increased and is sometimes in my back. Has anyone else encountered anything like this?

Also, assuming this is a new lump (it is small), could it metastasize or spread to the lymph system so quickly? Any help/advise would be great. My husband is out of town during the week as we're in the middle of a move after he was layed off in December. I have two wonderful sons, 10 & 7 and I can't even keep myself together anymore.

Sorry to ramble.

Laure' in VA, soon to be upstate NJ.

Hi Laure', sorry you needed to find us, but we are glad to have you here. It sounds like you have been through a tumultuous time lately. It all hits the fan at once, doesn't it? I will attempt to answer some of your questions and the others will chime in, I am sure. We have ladies in VA and NJ, in fact one in Bedford VA is a great friend of one in Morris Town NJ. So you are moving there? What a time to have to deal with breast problems.

Yes, they can tell from a mammogram and sonogram if it looks like cancer. Key words are spiculated (spider like) and clusters of micro calcifications. And 2.54 cm equals one inch, so that tells you your lump is less than half an inch in diameter. Which should be pretty early.

Many have had the core biopsy done on this formum. My daughter had it done six years ago when the radiologist also told her it was highly suspicious for cancer. The biopsy told them indeed it was cancer and because of where the lump was and the size of it, she needed a mastectomy. Doing the core biopsy gave her time to get a surgeon and plastic surgeon lined up together so reconstruction could be done at the same time. She was 39 at the time, there was not any positive lymph nodes but her oncologist said she should go through chemo because of her age, to be sure. Six years later there is no further evidence of Disease (cancer), NED as we say.

Some have been able to have a lumpectomy and chemo and radiation and been fine, also. I had only the mastectomy because I was 58 when diagnosed. We represent many forms of reconstruction, too, should that be necessary.

As to the question about metastasizing...... yes, if it is a very aggressive form of cancer, it can spread quickly. Even though lumps are small, we are told they are forming for about six to seven years before they can even be detected on the x-rays. But never assume the worst. In fact, I have a saying that is often quoted here, "Don't worry until you know you have something to worry about!" Now, that doesn't mean not to worry exactly but don't get all hyper until you know what you are dealing with, then take the appropriate action and still keep from worrying big time. Worrying does not help anything. LOL. But we all have been frightened of course. How can you not be? The unknown is frightening. There are many very strong ladies here who have been through far more than I have and their strength and attitude will amaze and help you, I am sure.

Hope this helps a little. Sorry you have so much on your plate right now, but we will help all we can.

Big hugs, Mary K. (MK)

Hi laure,my name is tammy(possitive)i have been getting mammos faithfully every year amonth ago they found a solid mass so i had a biopsy and ultrasound.it was possitive for cancer.they said it has been growing for over 2 years.i had a massectomy on left breast last week,im doing fine ,just got the results back from lymph nodes,one was possitive so im going to have chemo.Honey it is scary but you have to stay possitive.pray  and ask god to help you through this.if you find yourself worrying just say  JESUS he will help you.The ladies on this board are my angels.keep in contact with us ,you have good friends here..Love  Tammy(possitive)

Hi Laure....my real name is Laurel, but I go by Lori (I post under my dog's name, Tavish). You are doing everything you should be, and that includes feeling scared....it is normal. Gail and MK have given you great information. Yes they can make an educated guess from the mammo and u/s, but not for sure until they get it under the microscope. In my case, I was 30...breasts not large, but dense due to young age. Mammo was pretty inconclusive, but my u/s was also highly suspicious of malignancy. Mine was 2.5 cm, no positive notes, and they skipped the core biopsy, went right for removal. I am not sure why they chose that route.

A benign tumor is more likely to be regular in shape and density and have even edges. Unless you are a radiologist, most u/s will just look like a white spot....try not to get wrapped up in reading the films ( I was sure I had cancer in my lungs, turns out what I was looking at on an xray was just my blood vessels).

A lymph node can have cancer and not be that swollen, or a node can be swollen due to other issues (like an infection or cold)...so no telling what could be causing that to feel swollen.
If this is cancer, we'll get you through it! You will cry and have some tough times, but taking action and getting a plan is very empowering. And if it is not cancer, we'll raise a glass and toast in celebration. One step at a time though, try to focus each day without jumping to conclusions.
I was diagnosed over 5 years ago and remain NED too.

Hang in there-
Lori

Laure:

 

I'm Ellen, and I live in The Catskills.  I went straight to a breast surgeon when there was a lump, even though my mammo was normal, because I wanted the straight poop.  It paid off.  He did a needle biopsy right then and there, and I found out and could plan.  I went to NYC, Beth Israel.  Vicky, another member-sister from Upstate NY, used the same surgeon, Dr. Feldman.  I am very happy with the care I received.  I used an oncologist closer to my home, and they worked as a team.  I was 38, had a lumpectomy and was sentinal node negative. I had AC-T chemo and radiation.  I'm now on Tamoxifen.  All's well, so far.

 

Lots of luck to you, I'm praying for you.  Please keep us posted.

Hi Laure,

Sorry to hear you're in need of us. You've gotten excellent advice from the wonderful ladies ahead of me, so I'll just welcome you.

Hugs,
Rita

Hi Laure'

 

You've gotten wonderful advice from the other members, so I'll just add my welcome and tell you that I'll keep you in my prayers.  Please if you could let us know what time tomorrow your biopsy is we will be there with you in spirit courtesy of the PCE.  I'm a newbie here too and started reading about this PCE with pink feather boas and wondered what in the world was going on.  I wrote, asked questions and got answers telling me it is this groups way of letting you know they are there with you.  I've had them with me for another biopsy since my BC was diagnosed.  And it helps to imagine those silly ladies in the room with you wearing pink feather boas!  It is a nice distraction.

 

During the waiting time things that I found helpful to keep me from losing it were; reading fiction, watching a movie (not Lifetime), prayer, meditation and upbeat music.  I've listened to "head banging rock" in the past and there have been several times in the last 2 months that I got in my "soccer mom" van and turned some music on LOUD and drove while singing.  If it's screaming rock it seems to be somewhat therapeutic.

 

No matter what happens just remember you are not alone.  We are here for you with advice, love and support.  And remember this is treatable, do-able and you are strong!

 

Hugs,