Wide excisional biopsy - is this normal?

Hello, I’m 42 and went to Docs with nipple discharge, got given antibiotics which 10 days later hadn’t worked. Went back to docs and he referred me to the breast clinic. After an examination, mammogram and ultrasound they said there was a thickening and a lump. My nipple was inverted and 1 lymph node was inflamed.

They did a core biopsy on lump and lymph node. The doc said it was 50/50. After 2 weeks of the worst worry I returned to be told that the biopsy was normal but they weren’t happy with that as it didn’t correspond with the ultrasound etc. They said it could have been a “non representative sample”.

They then sent me for an mri, this then came back as inconclusive! It’s been 2 months of hell and worry.

Yesterday I had a wide excision biopsy. My whole breast, under my arm and the back of my arm is numb 24 hours later. Is this normal??

Has anyone else had all these inconclusive results? I would really appreciate hearing anyone else’s experiences in this.

Thank you x

Hi Foxy

 

I am sorry you have had all this waiting and worrying.

 

My story is similar. I found a lump under my nipple, was referred to breast clinic where they also noticed discharge. Mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy all came back clear but doctor wanted to remove the duct that was causing the problem to make absolutely sure. This was done under general anasthetic.

 

Unfortunately for me it did turn out to be cancer so I am very thankful that they took the trouble to explore the situation completely. 

 

I cannot recall having numbness to the extent that you describe, perhaps phone up the breast care nurse for advice?

 

I hope you get good news soon.

 

Mary

Hello Foxy71

 

So sorry you’re going through this & I underatand how you feel, the waiting & worrying is horrendous, there’s no other word for it, it’s a horrible time.  I’m quite an anxious person anyway & will always find something to worry about, but these last 3 months for me have been awful.  My history is quite long, I’m 37, found lump, GP thought it would be nothing but referred me to the breast clinic.  Had mammogram which didn’t show anything conclusive, so ultrasound which showed something suspicious, therefore had biopsy there & then, (that’s when the worry began as actually thought the lump was just from my small children elbowing me in that area).  So, it began.  The result was inconclusive??  Another biopsy which came back clear, so the hospital had to explain that actually the first biopsy was the concern as they’d found a very small, (1mm) breast cancer and couldn’t rule out cross contamination, (although they said they’d never seen this at this hospital & it was highly unlikely & that they thought it belonged to me).  They tried to DNA it but it was too small.  Had a breast MRI & was expecting to say they’d found it, but that was all clear??  So had the WLE to look at the lump thoroughly & got the result yesterday that there was nothing there.  Obviously, a hige sigh of relief, but it’s not completely over yet as because they can’t say for definite that the cancer did or didn’t belong to me they’re writing to the Royal Marsden hospital for advice on whether I need any follow up treatment to be safe.  I’ll have annual mammograms or MRI’s which I’m obviously pleased about.  

 

The area of my breast that was operated on is still numb and I get aches & pains in the arm on that side & shoulder.  It’s still early for you, so think that sounds quite normal.  Have you got someone at the hospital to talk to about any concerns following the op?  

 

Don’t know if my story has helped, but just wanted to respond to you, as you’re not alone.  Really hope you get some good results, when do you get them?

 

Jayne x 

Thanks Mary and Jayne,

Its good to know there’s someone there that’s been through it. My mammogram and ultrasound were both suspicious but biopsy didn’t match.

I just want to know so I can deal with it if I need to. Results are on 11 th x