I have just had one of the worst eleven days of my life.
After being sent to the breast clinic and 100% believing it would be nothing, I was told by the consultant that they needed to perform a core needle biopsy. (I had a mammogram and the ultrasound) and the biopsy was performed immediately.
I went back through to my orginal breast consultant who tole me the other consultant could see it was cancer and that the biopsy would confirm that and what type etc.
After eleven days of falling apart I was then told the biopsy was clear. But they wanted to remove it and test it again as it might be a phylloid tumour.
After speaking to some friends including a senior nurse, it appears there are stories of biopsies being clear but then it turns out to be cancer a little later down the line! One girl had two sections of a lump tested and one was clear and the other cancer and the consultant told her she does only normally do one area but on this occasion took two sections.
My question is: if they were so so certain at the initial consulatation that it was cancer, could the biopsy be wrong? Could it have been a sample from a non cancerous section of the lump?
I am waiting for surgery to remove the lump, will they check all of it thoroughly? I am just not sure what to trust at the moment and the lump is almost the size of an egg.
I am really sorry you are going through this anxious time I am sure some of our users will be along to offer their support soon.
In the meantime please do call ourhelplineat 0808 800 6000 who will be able to talk to you about your biopsy, talk through any questions you have and offer a friendly ear.
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Not surprised you are confused.They don’t always get it right on their initial observations ,I was told by the Consultant that it very probably wasn’t cancer and he wasn’t worried but the biopsy showed it was.I don’t think you will really be able to put your mind at rest until they have removed the lump and tested it.Hope they schedule your op soon so you can stop worrying .
I can certainly understand your concern. It is usually, when a lump presents on a mamogram to follow it up immediately with an ultrasound and a biopsy. It is standard practice in most cases.
It may allso be possible, that the image presented on the mammogram and ultrasound looks, as if it was a cancerous growth, rather than being one. I supported a young lady last week, where this happened - and her biopsy results came back as clear! Just as yours. She, also like you, is having the lump removed.
Yes, sometimes, although very, very rare, when a fine needle aspiration biopsy is done, it could be taken from a non cancerous area of a lump - as it is difficult to know in which specific areas the little b… hides. It is usual that a core needle biopsy would show, if there is any cancer due to the composition of the actual cells taken. There are different biopsies and you said you had a core needle biopsy.
This link may help you to understand the types of biopsy and how the results work -
However, as you are having it removed - the following pathology results will give you absolute certainty of what it was. Don’t forget, once it is out - it is gone!
shelving are you still around? What was your result/outcome? my experience is pretty much the same as yours and I am going for my results post op tomorrow. Been scanning the internet for answers, which I know I won’t really get till tomorrow, but reading your post, it just could have even me that wrote it it’s so similar!!!
Hi I’m new to this forum… I went for my first ever breast clinic app this Tuesday after my nipple has been inverted for 2 months my GP advised she couldn’t find a lump and would send me to breast clinic as a precaution at the breast clinic the doc said to that he couldn’t find lump but sent be back to wait for a ultrasound 1 hr later I went back in and they performed scan after 20 mins or so I was told they found something in a duct and needed to perform a biopsy, terrified and in shock they performed the biopsy and then I returned to the waiting room. Was called back to see doctor who said I shouldn’t worry as they are not worried it’s cancer but obviously I’m worried I’m trying to Get on with things but how can a doc say it’s not without The biopsy results!! I hope you are ok and getting all the help and support you need
Thanks Sezza. Just taking one day at a time and some awesome sleeping tablets. Once I can sleep I can cope with most things. Insomnias a bitch. Normally I have to fight with drs to get some help, n then they only break every 6 months. They could not give them to me quickly enough yesterday. Do every cloud n that. I must try n make a WI night out soon, it has been too long. Love loads xxxx
I had screening today after I noticed a small lump. Nurse felt lump on exam and said it was mobile and felt like a cyst. Mammogram which followed was normal and then had ultrasound and biopsy - 3 samples taken. After that the radiologist said it was probably cancer. I thought ultrasound could only say whether lump fluid filled or not and they can’t tell from ultrasound. Now very confused and scared - I have to go back next Wednesday for biopsy results. It looks from reading thread as if others have had similar feedback at this stage - it just doesn’t seem right. Are they just preparing us for worst or what? Any reassurance gratefully received!
Hi C,they don’t always get it right by any means ,until biopsy results they can only have an educated guess at what they are looking at and I have spoken to ladies who have had good and bad news in these circumstances . Good luck .
