questions... I'm new

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I am confused too happy1992. I had a mammogram, and, they didn't like the looks of it, then had more intense or more precise mammograms done. From there I had an ultrasound, followed by an ultrasound guided core biopsy to see if I had breast cancer, which I did. I then had a lumpectomy followed by radiation treatments.

I think you should call your surgeon and ask him all of your questions, since none of us are doctors here.

I would think you would have a biopsy first, as, not all lumps are cancerous.

Please call your surgeon tomorrow and get some answers and let us know.

Good luck,

Leeza

Skeezie said:

A lumpectomy is a biopsy...a surgical biopsy.
I have had 3 surgical lumpectomy/biopsies. Whether or not I had bc I would have wanted that lump out so why go thru a separate biopsy when if they take out the lump you get the size, stage, type, grade of tumor (if malignant) and if it's benign the lump is still gone. There is no right or wrong way on this one. for me its personal preference.

But you must be devastated and scared to death right now so you mite want to think about talking to your doctor to get more info. Also Google in for info, I always like the mayo clinic.com sites.

Good luck and please keep us posted as to the outcome. There is always someone here who has been thru whatever you are going thru. We are here for you.

Hugs, Judy :-)

P.S. Two of my lumpectomies were not cancer but
I was really glad to have the suspicious area gone.

Again, Hugs, Judy :-)

Welcome Happy
I love your screen name!

I am sorry that you had to find us, but glad that you did. This is a wonderful place to get information and support.

My experience was much like Leeza's, but I can see how just doing the lumpectomy might have some advantages also. You've already discovered how difficult the waiting is, and if they did a needle biopsy and it is positive, you'd have more waiting to deal with.

I'm glad that you're going to call your surgeon. Ask what you need to feel comfortable and don't hesitate to request a second opinion if it would make you more comfortable.

Take care,
Cindy

So sorry you're going through this. Seems a little bit odd that you had to have so many mammograms!! Don't know how much this will help you, but...

I can tell you when I was diagnosed (9 years ago) they did a mammogram and ultra sound. Then I saw a surgeon who did a needle biopsy (which came back negative!) and then had a lumpectomy, which is like the other poster said, a surgical biopsy. I had a great surgeon who felt the lump and said he didn't like how it felt and looked on film, so even though the needle biospy came back negative, he wanted to take it out.

Thank God he did. It was cancer. Had he gone by the needle biospy results alone, I might not be here. There is a fairly high false negative rate I've read.

So...what I guess I'm trying to say (sorry, I'm long winded) is that if they saw something substantial on the ultrasound and mammogram(s), you want it to come out. The only way to find out if it's truly cancer and what cancer your dealing with is to remove it. Once they remove it and do all the pathology, they will have an idea of what they are dealing with and will be able to give you more information on your situation.

I know it's scary, but try not to freak out. It very well could be nothing. And if it is something, then you can treat it. Hang in there! It's a bit of a bumpy ride, but it smoothes out eventually:)

Sally

waiting is so hard
Yes, the waiting is the hardest part. Welcome to the discussion boards. Sorry you have to go through this.
After my mammo was found to have changes, I was sent for a digital mammo and ultrasound guided biopsy before getting the diagnosis of BC. I had a lumpectomy with sentinal node excision (6) in March 2010 and completed radiation treatment in early June. I am now taking Arimidex for the next 5 years. A close friend had a similar diagnosis and treatment however she says she did not have a biopsy done before the lumpectomy. Her mass was sigificantly larger than mine and she says that her doctor was certain it was cancerous from its size and characteristics. She had her surgery close to three years ago, with rads and is also taking the Arimidex since her cancer was also positive for hormones and she was postmenopausal when she was diagnosed with BC.
Glad to hear that you will be calling your surgeon with your questions. Keep us posted.
Hugs, K

happy1992 said:

Got some answers
OK ... I talked to the doctor today and here is what they said. They want to just remove it becuse the mammo and ultra sound show that the lump is "sufficently worrysome". That is why they are jumping right into taking it out.
Thanks for sharing the info everyone... it helps me calm down a bit!
I think I am in for a long week of waiting. I am afraid to tell my family since we are all still greiving loss of my sister. I will wait to tell them once I have the results. But boy I could sure use my mom right now!! Funny that no matter how old you get, you always still want your mom!!
I am a teacher and school is starting in a few weeks, I would like to get the surgery done before classes start. But... time to put me first right now... students second.
I will let everyone know when the surgery is!!
PS - has anyone heard "sufficently worrysome" and it was NOT cancer?

So "sorry" to meet you this way!
I mean that in the MOST loving way. Okay, personally, I have not heard of "sufficiently worrisome", BUT, I did go through a somewhat similar diagnosis. Yes, this is super scary stuff. Surround yourself with professionals and Doctors that you trust. The course of treatment that they are offering you is significantly geared for YOU. Since you have a family history, more than likely, they want to get in there and start "beating the heck" out of this tumor, no matter what kind of cells it is made up of. We, all of us girls here can relate to your stress and trauma. Please know that we are with you. Your victory is ours too. Please keep us posted on your journey. Our love, prayers and hugs coming your way!

Miss Murphy said:

Sorry you're Here
Hi Happy!

Sorry that you're here but glad you found us early. I didn't find this board till nearly two years after my dx and it would have been nice to read all this great info early on plus have the great support everyone provides. My surgeon told me that he wasn't a big fan of needle biospies - I guess maybe because of the false negative issue Sally mentioned. He said a surgical biopsy was the "gold standard" so that's what I did. I followed that up with a masectomy. I was dx early and my treatment afterwards was just the AI drugs altho I'm on Tamoxifen now.

Anyway, my point is that you'll get your results soon now and whatever the outcome, can deal with it. The waiting is the worst so just try and stay calm and hang in there - we're here for you. Hugs, Sally (yes, there are two Sallys on this board!)

You are not over reacting
You are not over reacting you are being your own advocate. You can have a lumpectomy and it not be cancer and it can be suspicous/worrisome and not be cancer. it is not a done deal. let us know how it works out. waiting for the results is tough hope you have good news. try not to "go there" my husband always says "I;m not going to worry about it until they tell me I have something to worry about" this has gotten me through alot, Tell yourself "all I know is that something has shown on my mammo that needs to investigated" hugs