Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

[artsy69]

I recently went in for my annual mammogram and they found a suspicous spot in my left breast. The surgeon is having me come back in for a stereotactic biopsy in 2 months instead of just another mammogram.  I'm also having pain in my shoulder.

7 years ago when I was 31 I had an erythema on my left breast and it was surgically removed, but benign.

Should I be worried?

[japdip]

If a biopsy was indicated by the previous mammogram it needs to be done ... another mammogram would not help in making a diagnosis. I too am puzzled by the 2 month delay unless it's a very busy institution and it takes that long to get on the schedule for the biopsy. I suppose your having a cold was part of the delay but I can't see how that would be a contraindication for this procedure. I would ask some serious questions of your Surgeon as she is the only one who knows the reason for the lengthy delay.  Regards..

[artsy69]

Thank you for the kind words.

The surgeon said she wanted to wait 2 months b/c I had a bad cold and they wanted to make sure that it wasn't an enlarged lymph node?

I was confused myself as to why they would schedule a biopsy and not just do another mammogram.

[healingwell62]

Hi!

I can't tell you whether or not you should be worried.  I think when there is anything that does not seem right with our bodies, we worry.  I'm puzzled why they are waiting 2 months for you to come for a biopsy.  Why not right away?  I can tell you that pain is not typically associated with cancer.  If the dr. has decided already that he/she wants to do a sterotactic biopsy, then I'd try to get a date asap and be done with it (not because I think there is anything necessarily wrong, but because waiting is very difficult).

Best of luck and let us know how things turn out.  I'll be thinking of you.

Warmly,

Chris
Healingwell62
Breast Cancer Community Leader