Dear torridpink: A BIRAD 4 means that there is high suspicion that this might be cancer. Of course the only thing that can tell you whether something is or is not malignant is a biopsy. This is why this recommendation has been made. Fibroadenomas are smooth round structures with smooth edges. As this lump is irregular and partly solid and partly cystic, it is unlikely to be fibroadenoma. Questions for preop would be more about the procedure than result. They will not be able to tell you what to expect result-wise.
The following morning I had my pre-op appointment, a mammogram and an ultra sound on my right breast (for comparison) I was told I would be having surgery the following morning. I didn't sleep all night. Went in this morning and had the excisional biopsy and that was just weird! When I was in recovery, I remember the exact moment I was waking up because they were putting the top half of my clothes on me! I was given no care instructions only a prescription for vicodin (that was approximately 3 hours ago). The more I think about it the more that doesn't seem right? How am I supposed to know when to un-bandage it? Lifting, as they cut through the muscle? Or anything else, for that matter. Should I call them? Or assume that if I had special instructions that they would have given them to me?
Thank you so much, I really don't have many questions about the actual procedure as I have had a lumpectomy in the past, and I will assume that it will be similar; especially since the size is very close to the same. It's really not the thought of cancer that bothers me, at least when I know yes or no, I will be able to formulate a plan. The hard part is that no one will talk to me long enough to ask questions, but they keep being outwardly alarmed. I would think a health care professional would be able to hold their shock to themselves unless they want to explain why. They scare people unnecessarily with their lack of explanation. Why do we as patients not know EXACTLY what these words mean? I haven't had one person out of three stay long enough to ask, WHAT is alarming about what is being seen.
What do these things mean? And do these people realize that they are telling me too much and not enough, all at the same time? I am having an excisional biopsy and my pre-op appt is tomorrow, what should i ask that will get an answer?