Waiting for Indeterminate Breast Biopsy Results

[Anxious23]

Hi all. Looking for some moral support/hand holding 🙏. Apologies for the essay! I went to the breast clinic on Friday as I had itching/ slight white discharge on one side, no lump. The nurse who saw me said it probably just eczema causing itching and discharge was dead skin cells but sent me for mammogram and ultrasound whilst I was there. Sonographer spent a long time looking at me and to my shock said her eye was being drawn to a 'vague' patch and she wasn't sure what it was. They took 3 samples from a biopsy there and then and put a marker clip in. The same nurse who saw me brought a breast cancer nurse in and said the ultrasound found a small (11 by 10mm) something that looked different from surrounding tissue and that it was indeterminate/slightly suspicious. They emphasised that if it was nasty it was treatable and my lymph nodes were clear on the scan.. but they just couldn't tell me how likely it was it was cancer, they reiterated it was an indeterminate finding and I would have to wait for the results next Friday. My appointment is with a consultant surgeon but they told me this is standard for a biopsy result.

Since then I have veered from feeling so sick with worry I can't eat to being weirdly calm last night, and then back to flapping now. I am trying to prepare myself for bad news whilst knowing it isn't definite yet. Has anyone got any reassurance either way? Anyone had similar language used and it be good news or am I right in thinking this is probably bad ☹️?

I guess they don't biopsy unless they are slightly concerned but the 'slightly suspicious', 'vague' and indeterminate words have frightened me.

My Mum is 70 and had a clear biopsy this year but she is on hols and I don't want to worry her by telling her til I know. Her Mum, my Grandma, died of breast cancer in her early 50s. I am in my early 40s with 3 kids 11 and under. Trying my best to keep it together.

I dont have any advice but I want to send you love and lots of positivity 🥰

Hi, just wanted to send you a virtual handhold.

Good luck for tomorrow! The fact they said lymph nodes are clear is a good sign surely?

In 2012, I had a lump deemed indeterminate by ultrasound, so a core biopsy was taken and as it was still indeterminate, I had a lumpectomy. All was clear. As other posters have said, the fact your lymphs scan as clear is excellent, so hopefully, all is fine. Try to concentrate that most who present at a breast clinic has absolutely nothing to worry about, and the team who are looking after you are just being as thorough as possible.

What I would like to add is that if something serious is found, they do often call you in sooner. Also, should you find yourself seeing the consultant tomorrow, it might just be they would rather remove it to be doubly certain. Either way, try not to worry until you know exactly what's what.

Good luck.

What they mean is that it isn't obvious on a scan whether they think it's cancer or not.
My MIL has breast cancer and was told at her scan it was before she had the biopsy result because (I assume) is was more obvious. For some, it is fairly obviously benign.
Only a biopsy can tell you for sure, and luckily, the government targets for breast cancer are very good. The lab should process your biopsy in about 3 days for a basic result (it would likely not need further tests if benign). I work in a histopatholigy lab. Hopefully, all is good news for you 🤞

The waiting is the worst part. Take care 🥰