Process of receiving biopsy results

Hi,

On the day I had mammogram and ultrasound and had biopsy done, the Dr who done ultrasound said in his opinion it is a small cancer, I was then given an appointment that same day to come back 10 days later for results, which confirmed I have Grade 3 invasive ductual breast cancer, oestrogen positive and HER 2 positive, I had this diagnosis last Thursday. The Sunday had CT scan, Wednesday had appointment with oncology where had bloods done and ecg and they went through my treatment for chemo, then today had phone call so Saturday more bloods and mrsa swab, Tuesday I have telephone appointment then oncology appointment and also picc line inserted thats Tuesday, Wednesday I have mri scan done, still need echo done and start my 1st chemo next week, so they have moved quite quickly for me.

So sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. I'm glad they are moving through things for you efficiently and promptly. All the best of luck along your journey

Thank u, hope you get some results soon, the waiting isn't nice x

Thanks so much for your help and advice. So I initially was told by my GP I am pretty confident its a fibroadenoma, I saw the consultant who then said she felt it was either a cyst or fibroadenoma but also noticed a query enlarged lymph node next too it which she marked along with the mass for when I went into the scan. By the time I went into the scan, the sonographer was extremely quite taking lots and lots of pictures.  I had been the breast clinic twice before and never had a scan at this depth. She asked me regarding the lymph node and if I had noticed it? I said no its only that the consultant has just said. She said its extremely enlarged. At the end she said OK I have no idea what this lump is, I'm going to have to biopsy it and due to the size of this lymph node I need to biopsy that too. O queried was it not a cyst or a fibroadenoma? She said its not typical of that. When I went back into see the consultant she said im sorry at this point I'm unable to say what it is but im preparing you, you may have cancer.

I'm so sorry for your diagnosis but so thankful everyone has been so supportive of you and people have involved you in your care and decisions. 

Yes my GP has prescribed me a sedative, I'm finding it has taken the edge off things a lot. 

Hi Jenny.  Just remember the responses you get from this page are from ladies who have had a diagnosis.  Those who get hood biopsy results usually tell us the good news then leave site.

The waiting is pits but there's many of us years on from our diagnosis and treatment.  When I was recalled from first routine mammogram I had to wait 2 weeks for appointment, no indication of why recalled and I had no symptoms.  Then at recall had a biopsy of two areas and appointment for a week later where they gave you results.  I had one malignant and one benign area.  My treatment plan outlined - surgery to remove and offer of reduction on good side to have a matching pair.  Nurse came out to my house 2 days later and following MDT meeting day before no need for reduction on good side !  She explained that they reviewed all results, good or bad as sometimes they repeat inconclusive biopsies.  In fact the day I had surgery a woman in next bed was having a benign lump removed by same surgeon as me because although biopsy benign the team had decided it should be removed as they couldn't determine what it was.  

Hi Carol, 

Thanks so much. I know ive read all the statistics and know its only a small preportion of results that come back as malignant. 

Its just concerning me I have two seperate sites that have been biopsied and what I know from doing my nurse training many years ago, that if it has spread it goes to the sentinel lymph node, which my lymph node is still enlarged several weeks later. I know there are several factors which can cause enlarged lymph nodes. Its all just worrying me they have put a coil marker in the mass and have no idea what this mass is.

All this is just going round and round my head and that I have been given the first available appointment after the MDT meeting, I just hope and pray its not what I'm thinking. 

Thanks so much for explaining your story, its really sad you were not given any indication why you were recalled.  I think if people explain the whole process initially will patients, it would lessen people's anxiety. 

I know in my department only certain positive results get discussed in MDT. Only for my sister phoning back because of my anxiety being through the room, did the nurse explain this is the case with all biopsy results on the breast department.

Im really sorry for your diagnosis I hope and pray they were able to rid you from this horrible disease and you are at a much better place in life now

I'm 8 year NEDDY ( no evidence of disease).  If you click on my name you'll see I've had biopsy on my good boob  3 years later and then recall year 6 when I went back on routine.  Both times all good but told they extra careful with those with previous diagnosis.  I was shocked how badly I reacted to being back on the "unknown" waiting game.  

My hubby had emergency sigmoid colectomy 4 years ago.  Short story year before had full body CT scan after fall and they saw something on his colon.  So after they'd dealt with spinal injury 9 months later he had a failed colonoscopy.  They then attempted CT colonoscopy and he thought it had gone ok.  Gets a phone call on Tuesday to say come see consultant next day,  walk in room and he says see you Monday operate Tuesday reliant on ICU bed!  He thought we'd been told .  Turns out on the Monday had MDT meeting and he was discussed and they decided urgent open surgery needed, not keyhole.  Told unlikely cancer but.... it wasn't cancer but 5 inches of diverticulitis but we found out from his spinal consultant months later who was alarmed at large scar and non keyhole surgery so he asked permission to look at notes related to surgery.  MDT had concluded 98% chance of malignancy due to size.  

My cousin who is now 10 year breast cancer neddy had womb bleeding issues 3 years ago.  She went into full meltdown when at appointment they introduced MacMillan nurse who would be sitting in on consultation before surgery.  She said "I assume it's cancer" and they waffled and were vague.  She has 3 week wait after surgery to be told it was all good, just a benign fibroid!  

I think we all fear the worse when suspecting cancer but reality, as you probably know with your training, is that many cancers are very treatable and BC is one of those . 

I got diagnosed today with invasive ductal carcinoma, the lymph node they had biopsied the cancer has spread too there too . Estrogen and progesterogen positive. Plan so far I need a CT, genetics testing as I'm so young, lumpectomy, chemo and 5 years of meds. Plan may change if I have a genetic mutation or it has spread elsewhere.

Such a horrible day, I feel better for knowing now. X

So sorry to hear you received these results today, it's never easy hearing it but like you say you now know and can make a plan. The next few weeks maybe bit of a whirlwind with phone calls and appointments and trying to process it all at the same time! All the staff and this group are  very kind and supportive and I've picked up loads of advice.im half way through chemo and it's been doable and far less scary than I imagined with support 24hrs if needed. Be kind to yourself and take one day at a time and you will get there! Hope all goes well and take care xx

Thank you so much