BIOPSY

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JulieC
JulieC Member Posts: 37
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
ok so my gyno sent me to a surgeon 4/5 months ago to have a lump looked at & "most likely biopsied" . surgeon did mamo & sono when they needed further look. he told me that by looking at results he wasn't concerned...it was "probably" non cancerous...shouldnt worry about it. although here I am 4/5 months later & lump is still there..even alittle bigger maybe. should I call this surgeon up & insist upon a biopsy? & how can he be sure that there is nothing to worry about anyway?? I've got 5 women in my family that had breast cancer...mom, grandma, 3 aunts. also dad w/colon cancer & sister died of brain cancer. I feel as though I'd be challenging his opinion...& knowing the ego's of most docs...should I just go back to my original gyno & ask her for a biopsy?...or should I just leave it alone & hope the surgeon is right?

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  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #2
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    Hi Julie! If it were me, I'd demand they take it out. It doesn't belong there and especially if you think it's getting larger. The other thing is you have quite a family history of cancer so why play the waiting game. Hopefully, it will come back negative and you can relax but you will always wonder if you don't have it out. This is my opinion and you can do with it what you want.Good luck to you. keep us informed. HUGS!! Cathy
  • jeancmici
    jeancmici Member Posts: 665 Member
    #3
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    If your GYN sent you to a surgeon, probably she felt surgeon would be better - maybe she does not do many or any!

    Forget about surgeon's ego- in fact, FORGET about HIM. Check around - American Cancer Society - cancer center - a radiologist who reads them all day should make decision - surgeon usually does not decide on x-ray results.

    Let us know how you do - are you in a fairly large city or near one - could you use google to type in 'cancer specialists in ______" If we have location maybe some members can tell you of their good, conscientious surgeon.

    Warm thoughts and success in your search. Don't want to scare you, but don't delay. "Probably ok" shouldn't even be in a doctor's vocabulary!

    Jean
  • JulieC
    JulieC Member Posts: 37
    #4
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    jeancmici said:

    If your GYN sent you to a surgeon, probably she felt surgeon would be better - maybe she does not do many or any!

    Forget about surgeon's ego- in fact, FORGET about HIM. Check around - American Cancer Society - cancer center - a radiologist who reads them all day should make decision - surgeon usually does not decide on x-ray results.

    Let us know how you do - are you in a fairly large city or near one - could you use google to type in 'cancer specialists in ______" If we have location maybe some members can tell you of their good, conscientious surgeon.

    Warm thoughts and success in your search. Don't want to scare you, but don't delay. "Probably ok" shouldn't even be in a doctor's vocabulary!

    Jean

    I leave in Austin, Texas. I have scott & white health insurance so I have to go through them. I dont think I could just go to a cancer center...I wish I could just go see someone specializing in cancer..oncologist. but I always thought you had to have a diagnosis before they would even see you...?.. should I just call back my original gnyo doc? maybe she can refer me to a different surgeon...thanks for your advise & help...very very nice people on this web site. thanks:-)
  • bunnie
    bunnie Member Posts: 233
    #5
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    JulieC said:

    I leave in Austin, Texas. I have scott & white health insurance so I have to go through them. I dont think I could just go to a cancer center...I wish I could just go see someone specializing in cancer..oncologist. but I always thought you had to have a diagnosis before they would even see you...?.. should I just call back my original gnyo doc? maybe she can refer me to a different surgeon...thanks for your advise & help...very very nice people on this web site. thanks:-)

    like everyone else says i would call the surgon back and demand that a biospsy be done with your history of cancer in your family there is no sense in waiting you would think the surgone would fell the same way.good luck and hope everything works out for you.bunnie
  • chessie
    chessie Member Posts: 40
    #6
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    Run, don't walk, to another doc, preferably a Breast oncology surgeon. He or she will look at your mammo and sono and may recommend biopsy. A second opinion is never a bad idea, especially if you have doubts. Don't just see a general surgeon. If you have a family history, and you have had this lump this long, you should not wait any longer.
    Good luck.
  • jeancmici
    jeancmici Member Posts: 665 Member
    #7
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    JulieC said:

    I leave in Austin, Texas. I have scott & white health insurance so I have to go through them. I dont think I could just go to a cancer center...I wish I could just go see someone specializing in cancer..oncologist. but I always thought you had to have a diagnosis before they would even see you...?.. should I just call back my original gnyo doc? maybe she can refer me to a different surgeon...thanks for your advise & help...very very nice people on this web site. thanks:-)

    Yes, Julie,

    I'd get in contact with the GYN and tell her what you told us - you should ask to be referred to another surgeon. Patients nowadays have to insist on a lot - you must be your own advocate - sad but true that patients have to work so hard to get what they need!

    Hopefully,, others in the area will have some names to give you also. After all, you're not in the boondocks - Austin must have many resources - you just need to find someone good who cares, too.

    Stay in touch,
    Jean
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #8
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    Julie, I also developed a lump that was most certainly there, but the radiologist felt that we could just monitor it since he was not able to see what was happening on mammogram films or during sonogram. Six months later, he repeated the same advice, but the lump was bigger and I insisted on evaluation by a breast surgeon. It turned out to be lobular carcinoma, which frequently is invisible on mammograms and sonograms. I kick myself for not insisting that proper evaluation be done when the lump appeared. The gynecologist let the radiologist take the lead. Both MDs; both hideously mistaken in their assessment. Call the gynecologist back and get a referral to a breast surgeon. I regret waiting six months to put my foot down.
    Hugs,
    Denise
  • SusanAnne
    SusanAnne Member Posts: 245
    #9
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    Hi Julie. All of these ladies are right. If you are not comfortable with how things stand right now, you should do something about it. A second opinion is always a good thing and usually covered by most insurances. Besides, you want to find a surgeon who you can have a dialogue with. Remember that you are the one who is hiring him/her. He/she works for you, therefore you can fire them. Good luck.
    Susan
  • seeknpeace
    seeknpeace Member Posts: 259
    #10
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    OMG Julie...yes, run, do not walk, to the nearest doctor that your insurance allows, other than that surgeon. With your family history, I cannot believe that he did not biopsy you. That is so negligent until it makes me physically sick to my stomach.

    I was told to wait, it was not cancer by the breast clinic who did the mammo, the surgeon who reviewed it when I questioned the breast clinic, but, who saw my distress and looked at my family history and ordered the biopsy. The doc who did the biopsy, again at the breast clinic, and his technician, both wondered aloud why in the world I was there...why, it was NOT cancer...well, guess what sports fans, it WAS cancer, and comedo type with extensive necrosis and nuclear grade three. GO Julie. Take care of yourself and you are in my prayers. I am so upset with your doctor right now. How could he not do more? Jan
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #11
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    Julie, I have Scott & White also. You can go to your regular doctor and ask for referral to an oncologist. Also, if you have a problem you can call the Member Relations Coordinator at Scott & White. I have found them to be very helpful when I've had questions about treatments or 2nd opinions etc.
    Hope this helps
    Clara
  • JulieC
    JulieC Member Posts: 37
    #12
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    unknown said:

    Julie, I have Scott & White also. You can go to your regular doctor and ask for referral to an oncologist. Also, if you have a problem you can call the Member Relations Coordinator at Scott & White. I have found them to be very helpful when I've had questions about treatments or 2nd opinions etc.
    Hope this helps
    Clara

    wow, i'm more convinced then ever now! thanks for all your input, I'm calling on my day off next week to make an appointment! I'll keep ya'll posted. thanks again for all your input & advise. its nice to know there are women out there who care...especially when the doctors dont seem to give a damn. thanks! Julie.
  • KarenKL
    KarenKL Member Posts: 42
    #13
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    I am 32 yrs. old found a lump in Nov. 2003, waited until March 2004, Dr. said don't worry can't be anything your to young, had mammogram found nothing did ultrasound same time barely found anything, but the lady was rolling over the lump with the ultrasound device. Had a biopsy done, cancer. Some of it was invasive and majority of it non-invasive. Second surgery had a lumpectomy to have 2 limph nodes removed, thank god those were negative, but the cells around the tumor made the change, third surgery to remove some more tissue found invasive cancer throughout the breast. Small, but still serious. Now I am looking at a double mastectomy to prevent this coming back later in my years. So don't listen to the Dr. saying nothing could happen your to young. Like I said I am 32 and I have breast cancer. First one in my family.
    Good Luck..
  • Gramma44
    Gramma44 Member Posts: 28
    #14
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    KarenKL said:

    I am 32 yrs. old found a lump in Nov. 2003, waited until March 2004, Dr. said don't worry can't be anything your to young, had mammogram found nothing did ultrasound same time barely found anything, but the lady was rolling over the lump with the ultrasound device. Had a biopsy done, cancer. Some of it was invasive and majority of it non-invasive. Second surgery had a lumpectomy to have 2 limph nodes removed, thank god those were negative, but the cells around the tumor made the change, third surgery to remove some more tissue found invasive cancer throughout the breast. Small, but still serious. Now I am looking at a double mastectomy to prevent this coming back later in my years. So don't listen to the Dr. saying nothing could happen your to young. Like I said I am 32 and I have breast cancer. First one in my family.
    Good Luck..

    I just read your message after someone posted a message asking if you've seen another dr yet. I hope you have and look forward to hearing how you are doing. I agree, there are too many stories of young women being told they are too young for cancer. When are these doctors going to wake up and realize that it is very real ocurrance. And also much more serious for you young women. I also want to say to anyone who has a lump that a dr isn't taking seriously, GO TO ANOTHER DR and get the lump out!! I am not young, and was diagnosed in my late 50's but the first dr I went to looked at the lump and pronounced it a cyst that would go away. Three months later, and a new doctor, I was sent to a surgeon who didn't like the way it felt (THANK GOD FOR THAT!!), despite a normal mammogram (yes, I found it and it didn't show on the mammo)and a negative needle biopsy. He kept insisting he didn't like the way it felt so I said take it out. Longer story short, he removed three lumps one of which was cancerous. Don't take chances with lumps, and do your BSE's religiously. Yes there are cancers that don't show on mammos!!

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