Vacuum assisted biopsy after core biopsy

Hi Crystal66

Welcome to the forum nd sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with breast cancer. While I haven’t experienced the vacuum assisted biopsy I noticed that you hadn’t any replies so I thought I would welcome you to the forum.  Hopefully someone with the right experience will be along soon.

Wishing you all the best with the biopsy.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi Crystal66

i was diagnosed with DCIS yesterday too. We are the lucky ones! My biopsy was two weeks ago which lead to my diagnosis, it was just an area of calcification prior to that.

I think there are several ways to do a biopsy, some are operated by a radiologist and some are done by a machine. I’m not 100% sure if yours will be human led or machine. My was machine and I really didn’t like it but I have read that most women find it absolutely fine. I’d ask for lots of local anaesthetic just in case. 
I’ve got to go back for the same machine to put in a radio marker prior to my surgery. I’m taking a hip flask with me for that.

Thank you Daisy x

Thank you, Chickenlover, I had my core biopsy following the ultrasound last Tuesday operated by the same radiologist. The ultrasound report said it may represent a papilloma, but the consultant gave me the bad news yesterday. He has  requested a vaccum assisted biopsy for me as the samples from the previous core biopsy are not sufficient to determine if it’s precancerous or it’s cancer. I am quite confused about this, but cannot do anything but waiting. 

Hi, ok that makes sense, I was wondering how you got a DCIS diagnosis without a biopsy! My core biopsy took 2 lots of 6 samples so they had plenty to work on. 
I am a bit confused too though, if it’s DCIS then it’s non invasive (I think some people call it precancerous but the cells are malignant) they would remove it via a wide local excision surgery to get good clear margins around it. Then examine it in the lab to confirm diagnosis. If it’s invasive then it’s not classed as DCIS and I think they might consider chemo or bigger surgery?? Somebody else on here might know more. It’s very confusing when they use terms like precancerous rather than noninvasive.

I’ve just got a book from the library written by a GP and a breast surgeon who both got breast cancer. It’s pretty good. ‘The complete guide to breast cancer’ prof Trisha Greenhalgh and Dr Liz O’Riordan.

or you should have been given a number for a breast care nurse ( they are specialists and usually know their stuff really well and can look at your case) they might be able to answer some questions for you. Sounds like you might have quite a wait - 10 days for the vacuum biopsy then 1 to 2 weeks for the results? And the waiting is the worst part so focus on learning as much as you can and getting as healthy as you can xx

Thank you lovely, Completely agree The waiting is the worst part so focus on learning as much as you can and getting as healthy as you can, I will  read the book you recommend xx