Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

Confused about Biopsy

Mamii
  • 1 reply
  • 37 subscribers
  • 228 views

I have a 5cm palpable mass in left breast with very clear tethering, dimpling and puckering of skin. Initially consultant was very concerned at the 2ww apt so I had a mammo, then a second mammo on the left, then an US, then a stereo biopsy on the left BUT not in the lump itself, it a slightly different area of calcifications in the same breast. In fact, at the end of the apt they said they werent sure what the mass was but it didnt show on mammo even though they can clearly see it visibly (weird?). Theyre sending the biopsy off and looking at it in an MDT meeting then i go back in 2 weeks. I just dont understand about the mass itself tbh. I like knowing all possible outcomes; good and bad. Information doesnt scare me - rather the lack of it. Have you come across this before and what could it be? Why havent they biopsied this lump i wonder.

Thanks for reading - hope you can shed some light!

  • Hi Miami,

    Thank you for getting in touch and welcome to the Online Community. My name is Joanne, and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line. I can see that you have joined a couple of our breast cancer forums and I hope that you are finding them helpful.

    I’m sorry to hear about the mass in your breast but it is good that you have been referred for investigations. Here on the support line, we are separate from the NHS and can’t access medical records or give personalised information. The size, tethering and skin changes are all concerning signs for breast cancer, and it does sound like you had the triple assessment (clinical examination, mammogram, and ultrasound with biopsy) that is considered gold standard.

    Whilst mammograms are excellent at detecting breast lumps, sometimes masses can be difficult to see on the mammogram images. This can be for several reasons, mainly dense breast tissue and a type of breast cancer called lobular breast cancer. You mention that the mass is clearly visible which does make it unusual that the mammogram hasn’t shown the mass.

    When taking the biopsy, they will have wanted to target an area of abnormality that they can see on the ultrasound images. This increases the chances that they will get a clear result. It may seem strange that they haven’t biopsied the larger area but if it isn’t visible on ultrasound despite being able to feel it there would be a risk that they may biopsy normal breast tissue not the mass.

    At the breast MDT meeting your case will be discussed. The consultant will present what he saw and felt during your clinical examination, the radiologist will present the findings of the mammogram and ultrasound and the pathologist will explain the biopsy result. If this results in a diagnosis of breast cancer the team will then recommend a treatment plan based on your individual circumstances. Sometimes the results are inconclusive, but all the clinical symptoms still indicate a breast cancer. In this case the team will recommend either additional radiology tests, and/or another biopsy.  

    I wonder, were you given any contact details for the specialist team? Your questions are very valid, and they may be able to give a personalised detailed answer.  

    If there is anything else we can help you with please feel free to get back in touch.

     

    Best wishes

    Joanne, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

     

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

     

    Ref/ JF/SH

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007