Highly suspicious for BREAST CANCER
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
I am, thank you. |
Anonymous
|
Op here - Yesterday I had a vacuum-assisted core needle biopsy. I hesitate to post my experience because I don't want to scare anyone, but I do hope to help someone else by doing so. I mean maybe a discussion with the radiologist beforehand is warranted, about what steps can be taken to avoid this. I talked with the radiologist before we got started I asked a few questions and we did discuss the risks, but this possibilty was never mentioned.
Set up for the biopsy took approximately an hour and forty-five minutes with over thirty mammogram images being taken along the way. The left outer quadrant is extremely difficult to capture on a mammogram view, but necessary as that view offers a guide to the area from which the samples will be taken. At one point the tech joking said, "I call this one the titty twister because I literally have to twist your breast into position." And twist she did. It kept the mood light, so I didn't mind her humor. The tech apologized for it taking so long and explained that the area is "really thin" and they needed to be precise in the positioning so "we don't blow through anything". Hmm. They tried several positions with me seated. Then had me lay down on my side. The radiologist even gave a go at getting me properly positioned. After a second tech came in, they were able to get the exact view they wanted after about thirty minutes of them working together. At this point, I didn't mind any of this because the alternative would have been a surgical biopsy. The lidocaine stick was painless, no burning as the medicine went in. The doctor explained that they inject more lidocaine as they go along to ensure a painfree procedure. When the needle-vacuum is turned on it sounds like an electric toothbrush. They took several samples before I felt a seering pain, what felt like the inside of my breasts being sliced open. Naturally I screamed and the doctor turned off the needle-vaccum. We proceeded after a few minutes since there were still several more samples needed (12 in total) and what was the point of it all if they didn't get enough tissue. Thankfully there was no more pain. The tech pressed hard on the area for a full ten minutes to stop the bleeding. There was a lot of blood on the mammogram machine. The doctor apologized profusely and the tech said they must have hit a vessel. She said, "everyone always screams the same way when that happens." Huh? WTH?! There has to be a way to ensure this doesn't happen. And if they can't, they should stop using that vacuum assisted needle. I'm thinking of setting up a meeting with someone at the hospital - I don't know who yet - but someone who can change this - someone who can put the proper policies in place. This should never, ever happen to anyone. Sorry this is long, sorry for my rant. BTW, many, many women have breast biopsies that are completely pain free. My sister just had one two months ago. This was done at well respected, major hospital not in the DMV area. |
Anonymous
|
Oh OP - I'm so sorry. If its not bad enough you had to go through this too! I had a biopsy last month (I'm the other calcifications person, they were benign). I'll relay my experience as well for people following this thread.
I had way less mammography than you - I can't remember how many though. Mine were in a different spot. I was very very nervous and emotional. They could tell and were quite caring and kind. I started crying and shaking when I laid down on the table. I'm usually not overly weepy - meh it was my time of the month. The one nurse spent alot of the time wiping my eyes with a tissue. I think the doctor thought that the lidocaine shot was hurting me so she put in a bunch extra (fine by me!). The procedure itself was normal - I think it was easy for them to get good samples for whatever reason. Afterwards I bled for a looonng time. They used the glue and the steri strips. So here's the thing - I have a connective tissue disorder, but have never had the wound healing issues that sometimes go along with it. So this is when it decided to rear its ugly head. I developed a HUGE hematoma. A full TWO weeks after the procedure, the wound burst open in the middle of the night and the hematoma actually came out through the wound. Man it was insane. We now call it my boob explosion lol, although it was NOT funny at the time! I was going into my PCP for a followup the next day anyway... they had to retape it, and I left that tape on for WEEKS, basically afraid to take it off! Went to see my connective disorder doc four a routine check a few weeks ago as well, and of course brought this up. She just said, 'yep, very common with people like you.' OK, at least she's seen it before b/c I was feeling like a complete freakazoid. Anyway OP - just wanted to let you know you weren't the only one who had crazy biopsies, although mine issues weren't the fault of the nurses/doctor, more the fault of my crappy collagen! |
Anonymous
|
Thanks for sharing your story, pp. So glad to hear your calcs were benign! Don't you just love the techs and nurses? They really do a good job of being caring. I think it's because they've been in that position, too.
And that is the craziest hematoma story I've ever read! - OP |
Anonymous
| Breast cancer survivor again. I've never heard of a vacuum biopsy, it sounds brutal. Do you know why they did it that way? I've had 6 breast biopsies and none were like that. I did have one where they had a lot of trouble finding the spot, like yours. They had medical schools and it seemed like a crowd of people trying to get it and were almost about to call it off for a surgical biopsy when they got it. I'm not sure why it was so difficult for them, I think thats unusual. |
Anonymous
|
Op here - the vacuum assisted biopsy is becoming more commonplace. I believe doctor's prefer it because it is easier to obtain the samples. My sister had a core needle biopsy but the doctor had to apply A LOT of pressure to get the needle through her dense tissue. The vacuum assisted needle took a millisecond to be inserted.
They knew exactly where the calcs were but had trouble capturing that area on the mammogram to guide the needle. The area is very close to the chest wall, sort of down from my armpit. It probably would have been easier if I didn't have a left arm!  The location of the calcifications or lump makes all the difference in the ease of the procedure. I'll never do a vacuum assisted CNB again - I am traumatized!
|
Anonymous
| I am sorry. Your story brought tears to my eyes. I hope you are OK. |
Anonymous
| New poster here. I have been told that I will need a "stereotactic" biopsy for my calcifications. Is this what you had? |
Anonymous
Yes. It can be done manually or with the vacuum assisted needle. At least that's how I understand it. |
Anonymous
|
I hope this is not derailing your thread, but I have another question.
When they do a biopsy for calcifications, how many are they trying to get out? I have at least 7 that were visisble on the mammo. Do they go for all seven or just a few? |
Anonymous
When they do a biopsy they take several samples. The samples will probably cover several calcs each. |
Anonymous
Survivor again, this is what happened to me. I think my problem may have been location plus very small breasts. I really felt like there was a village in there trying to get the things done. When I had that one, it was benign. |
Anonymous
Op here. This is a very good question, I didn't think to ask. The doctor told me they would take 12 samples, I don't know how many calcs I have in total. When they call me with my results I will ask and post the answer. |
Anonymous
| Still thinking good thoughts for you, OP. |
Anonymous
|
THE RESULTS ARE IN: The doctor said the biopsy was "positive for breast cancer" it is "Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)". Actually hearing those words was surreal.
She didn't know how many calcifications I have, but said that they were not all removed during the biopsy. The goal of the biopsy is to sample the calcs, not remove them is how she explained it. I had to clarify that I didn't believe that removing all the calcs removed all the cancer - she sounded relieved when I said that. Her silence seemed to say 'Poor thing! She thinks a simple biopsy can get rid of cancer'.  Lol. I didn't break down or anything. As the bc survivor noted, this is a highly treatable form of cancer although it may mean a mastectomy for me. During my research I read about a cooling cap successfully used to prevent hair loss during chemo (hopefully I won't need that!). I won't tell anyone until after the holiday. Merry Christmas! I have breast cancer! - ugh, not!
I have requested a copy of my pathology report, so that will tell me more. I have read that you can obtain a copy of your biopsy images on CD, which may come in handy later if I switch facilities for any reason. Always seems easier to get copies as you go along rather than requesting an entire medical file later. Let me end my rambling here. Thank you for all of your support and stay on top of those mammograms. |