Biopsy Results

BJ · 07-10-2009, 04:01 PM

Last Wednesday I had a core needle biopsy done. They removed 12 samples and I still have a lot of calcifications intact. I was told a marker was put in to pin point where exactly the mass is.

I was just today been diagnosed with DCIS. Good news is she said its pre-invasive cancer. This means it’s confined to the duct and hasn’t spread outside of the duct.

I have an appointment to talk with a surgeon next week, but she says I will probably have a lumpectomy followed by radiation. And because of my increased risk I might have to take Tamoxifen. My mom had breast cancer and my grandmom also had it. Even though I went through these treatments with my mom, I'm confused about my own diagnosis. My mom's was much more aggressive--chemo, radiation and eventually mastectomy with all the side effects.

I am nervous about the invasive part but I trust that the lumpectomy and radiation will do the trick as long as I have clean margins. Then it’s more difficult but I didn’t want her to explain that yet. I’ll be having sentinel node surgery too whatever the heck that is. She told me they’ll do a total lymph node removal if they test positive.

I don’t even know what I’m writing because all these terms mean absolutely nothing to me until I meet with the surgeon next week but I was trying to write as much as I could. I’m just a wreck right now and have to do something to distract myself.

Dmom3005 · 07-10-2009, 04:09 PM

Sending you hugs BJ.

Donna

Abbie · 07-10-2009, 04:14 PM

(((((((((( BJ ))))))))))

It all sounds greek to me.... I wish I had some words of wisdom to help you through all of this...

I hope someone comes along soon who will be able to help you and provide some answers.

Abbie

befuddled2 · 07-10-2009, 04:15 PM

BJ,

I can imagine how you must feel. Keep the faith. I don't understand any of it but will say a prayer for you.

barbara

mrsD · 07-10-2009, 04:46 PM

Sending you strength and positive thoughts. You will get thru this!

Mari · 07-10-2009, 06:55 PM

Dear BJ.

I sorry to hear that you did not get better news at the biopsy.

Keep taking one step and one appointment at a time.
Remember that you have time to get a second opinion if it will make you feel better.

Please ask your doc about support groups available to you.
Even if you do not want to go right now, it might be good to know that you have the option to talk to other people going through a situation similar to yours.

M.

Pamster · 07-10-2009, 08:23 PM

Hang in there BJ, you can get through this, that it's still confined to the duct sounds like good news. I agree with Mari, seek out some local support groups if you can. I have been keeping you in my prayers and will continue to BJ. BIg hugs to you hun.

DiMarie · 07-10-2009, 08:53 PM

Oh dear, I guess it is better news then what it could be but certainly stressful, Prayers are being sent. I never knew there were concerne with calcifications and the ducts, no one told me when I had the followups for my digital mamagram and ultra sound to be concerned.

I will read up on it now. I have a calcification, but it is only one duct affected and did not change in size in 30 months.

It must be even more worrisome for you after going through so much with your family. Scary stuff for sure, but lots of prayers are on the way.
di

waves · 07-10-2009, 09:21 PM

I'm sorry to hear this news. I know I would be scared.

However the diagnosis you received is one given with very early detection. Things should go well for you. The Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy is to check for the spread of cancer to the lymph nodes in the arm pit. There is another procedure also for this purpose, however it is more invasive.

When you meet your doctor/surgeon ask about the cancer grade/level of aggression in your case, and about Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (the more invasive, standard procedure). The fact that they have chosen to do a Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy would suggest to me a lower grade (slow-spreading) cancer, but it doesn't hurt to ask what their reason was for the choice.

Now i am going to pause and send you lots of

s in case you decide you would prefer not to read the rest for now.

Below, I am going to paste the links/quotes with fuller descriptions of terms and procedures, and you can choose to read or to skip.

hang in there, BJ. you can beat this!

~ waves ~ sending healing vibes

--------------------------
more information
--------------------------

For everyone, since i had to look it up... DCIS - means Duct Carcinoma In Situ and is generally used to mean the earliest detection of breast cancer. With early detection typically there is a better prognosis. They perform other procedures to ascertain whether there has been any spread.

For more information on all the various aspects of DCIS the full Mayo Clinic article is helpful.

Cited below are full descriptions of the lymph node investigation procedures. The full article has diagrams as well, and is located at:

http://www.cancernews.com/data/Article/202.asp

Quote:

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy:

A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a new technique. This was developed as a test to determine if breast cancer has spread to the lymph ducts or lymph nodes in the axilla without having to do a traditional axillary lymph node dissection. Experience has shown us that the lymph ducts of the breast usually drain to one lymph node first, before draining through the rest of the lymph nodes underneath the arm. That first lymph node is called the sentinel lymph node. That is the lymph node that helps sound the warning that the cancer has spread. Lymph node mapping helps identify that lymph node, and a sentinel lymph node biopsy removes only that lymph node. The sentinel lymph node is identified in one of two ways, either by a weak radioactive dye (technetium-labeled sulfur colloid) that can be measured by a hand held probe, or by a blue dye (isosulfan blue) that stains the lymph tissue a bright blue so it can be seen. Most breast cancer surgeons use a combination of both dyes. This procedure is new. The “best” way to administer the dye, which dye to use, and the benefits and risks of the procedure in various situations is still being studied. A traditional axillary lymph node dissection is the “tried and true” method, and is still considered the “gold standard”.

Quote:

Axillary Lymph Node Dissection:

Traditionally, if your breast cancer is invasive, an axillary lymph node dissection is recommended by your surgeon in order to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes underneath the arm. During an axillary lymph node dissection, the surgeon makes an incision underneath your arm, and removes the bulk of the lymph node tissue that drains from the breast. The lymph node tissue is then sent to the laboratory, and a pathologist looks at the lymph nodes under a microscope and determines if any of them contain cancer. On average, approximately 10 to 15 lymph nodes are removed with this operation. An axillary lymph node dissection usually requires an overnight stay in the hospital. Since the remaining tissues underneath the arm tend to “leak” some lymph fluid when the lymph nodes are removed, a drain is left in place for the first 2-3 weeks after the operation until the area heals. The drain is a flexible plastic tube that exits the skin, and is connected to a plastic collection bulb. When the drainage diminishes to a certain amount, the drain is removed in the clinic. After you go home you are given physical therapy exercises to maintain strength and flexibility in your shoulder while this area heals. Approximately 5-10% of the patients who undergo an axillary lymph node dissection experience chronic problems related to the dissection such as arm swelling (lymphedema), or pain or discomfort in the area of the dissection. Almost all women will have some residual numbness under the inside of the arm.

An alternative source (but no pictures here):
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy: Q & A from the National Cancer Institute.

Brokenfriend · 07-10-2009, 10:21 PM

I'm sending ((((((Hugs)))))) your way. BF

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