Stereotactic core needle breast biopsy

[LilRedWG]

Just found out that I am having a stereotactic core needle biopsy tomorrow morning on an 8mm lump.

Any tips on what to expect please?

[TheBigBumTheory]

Hi, I had this last month. You can't actually see what they are doing as your boob is in the mammogram machine and you are looking away. You basically have a mammogram and they mark the place where they're going to biopsy with a pen. You stay in the mammogram machine all the time.Then they put in local anaesthetic into the path of the biopsy, nick the skin to get the needle guide in and then they use a cross between a mini drill and Hoover to take about ten samples. I didn't feel anything but it sounded quite horrible! They then mark the biopsy with a little titanium rod which can be seen in future mammograms. Then they take more pictures and finally release you. Mine took about half an hour with two mammographers because I moved breathed a little and they had to start again...then it is dressed with steristrips and a large plaster which you leave on for three days, steristrips for five. Mine oozed a lot and formed a hard clot type bruise but it turned out I had a benign blood vessel tumour, so not surprising really! I've got a small scar which I think will heal.

Anyway good luck

[LilRedWG]

Thanks TBBT. Was very calm when told this morning but panic is starting to set in, even though surgeon thinks it is scar tissue.

[LilRedWG]

I'm so glad to hear that your lump was benign. Did they remove your tumour?

[IamtheZombie]

LilRedWG, you've been on the thread Valpollicella started about me in Chat, haven't you?

I had this last Friday morning and I posted a step by step explanation of what happened on there. The anticipation is much worse than the procedure.

[LilRedWG]

Thanks Zombie, I didn't want to ask you because you have enough on your plate already. xx

[LilRedWG]

Fab description, thanks.

Both you, Zombie and TBBT have put my mind at rest about that side of it at least.

[IamtheZombie]

Lil, no matter what Zombie has on her plate or is going through, she is always more than happy to help if she can. Never be hesitant to ask. xx

[LilRedWG]

Thank you. This just seems so minor compared to what you are going through.

My sister had a double mx last year and I am now paranoid that something is wrong, even though the surgeons thinks that it may be scar tissue from a surgical biopsy I had many years ago.

[IamtheZombie]

But, it's not minor to you, Lil. That is what is important.

[TheBigBumTheory]

Glad it helps, OP. Try to take one day at a time and no matter what there are always lovely people on here to support you.

Thankfully they didn't need to remove the remains of my tumour. It was a red herring as I was being scanned for a lung problem when they saw the breast lump. Now I'm heading for a lung biopsy...

[LilRedWG]

:( TBBT

[LilRedWG]

Ouch.

They couldn't get at it from the side the density and calcifications are, so they had to go from the other side - right through the width of my breast. The actual procedure took one hour twenty minutes and they could only get the calcifications - the area of density was too tricky to get.

On the positive side, the doctor was lovely and I was given my appointment for results next Tuesday before I left them.

They will rethink the area if denser tissue and how to biopsy it. She reassured me that it would be addressed.

Thanks for your support ladies.

[IamtheZombie]

((((( Lil )))))

Tuesday will be here before you know it. Zombie promises.

((((( TBBT )))))

Zombie missed your last post. Everything crossed for you.

[TheBigBumTheory]

Lil

That sounds like a nasty experience hope they won't need to do that again

Zombie

Thanks. It gets to the point when you want a diagnosis, it's worse worrying about lots of possibilities, rather than just dealing with one thing and the treatment. A CT has ruled out quite a lot already though and I know there are plenty of people in much worse situations.

[LilRedWG]

I'm lucky in that they are being pretty positive, but I still want to see it in writing and not niggling away at the back of my mind.

[LilRedWG]

Getting shooting pains in my breast but, given that my results are tomorrow, I think it's psychological.

I think I'll need tonight.

[IamtheZombie]

and more

[TheBigBumTheory]

Good luck for tomorrow.

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Good luck OP x

[LilRedWG]

Thanks guys. Zombie, have a glass or two on me my lovely. xx

[LilRedWG]

All okay. Am emotionally wiped.

Thank you all. x

[TheBigBumTheory]

Yay! Very pleased for you

[LilRedWG]

Thank you TBBT. I'm very relieved.

Please do let me know how you get on.

[LilRedWG]

Right, head a little straighter today.

Doctor thinks that the 8mm area of density is normal a "young woman's" (hah!, I'm 40!) glandular tissue as it spread gradually under pressure. It will however be discussed at the MDM on Friday and she will call me Tuesday afternoon to confirm that everyone agrees. If this is the case I am happy to trust her.

I am also having discharge from both nipples. I thought it was left over milk but as I finished feeding DS 15 months ago she wants it checked out (I dripped all over the mammogram machine). Again MDT will decide but it'll probably be a blood test - didn't think to ask what to test for am refraining from Dr Google..