QuestionQUESTION: Hi there I am a 40year old lady I found a thickening in my left breast back in Feb this year eventually got seen by doctor in June I had mammo which they said showed an area they didn't like the look of, there was no palpable lump so they sent me for U.S and they did a core biopsy,which came back inconclusive? They then sent me for a stereotactic biopsy which I have just had a letter about stating that it revealed a B1/2 result benign breast change? What exactly does this mean how do they grade results? they have discharged me and I don't know if I should ask for a repeat mammo in 6months etc? I have two small children and have read so many cases of 'missed' cancers it terrifies me.
Please advise if you can
ANSWER: Well, first of all I do not like the way they took care of you. As a patient you should be told the result face to face. However in order to evaluate this I would need to be able to read 1. Your mammography report, 2. the report on your first core biopsy (how was that done if not stereotactically?) and 3. The pathology report of your stereotactical biopsy. You can copy them here. With that information I will hopefully be able to give you a good evaluation!
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QUESTION: Thanks for your speedy reply. I too would have liked to have had some explanations along the way. I am going to the doctors tomorrow and was going to ask for a copy of my pathology results as there has been nothing explained other than them saying B1/2 benign breast change in the letter??
My original core biopsy was done with ultrasound and a local anaesthetic, the doctor said it was inconclusive but there was something there that needed further investigation with stereo biopsy in order to categorise it.
I am in the U.K and don't know whether we are allowed access to our results/records I would gladly send them onto you if I am able to.
On the basis of what I'm saying though do you think I can push for a better diagnosis than benign breast change and a repeat mammo in 6 months?? As I asked previously what does B1/2 mean
Many thanks again
ANSWER: I'm a Swede, living in Sweden. To be able to understand what they mean with that B 1/2 (if they mean BIRAD 1 to 2 for example which is quite benign) I do need to read the full reports. Ok, I see. Ultrasound guidance is rather common. As far as I know you should be allowed full access to all your medical reports! It is after all YOUR body, YOUR health and YOUR future! In the U.S. and here in Sweden that is so anyway. Yes please do! When I have read your reports I'll be in a better position to give you advice on what should be done!
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QUESTION: Hi there I have just received my pathology reports the first ultrasound biopsy states:
2 yellow/white cores up to 2mm and tiny fragment
cores of fibroadipose tissue containing bland appearing breast glandular lobular units with some slightly variable glandular appearances including some focal small cyst formations and some mildly increased fibrous tissue present. No calcification no definite a-typical appearances.
The results of my stereotactic biopsy state:
Approx 10 yellow/grey irregular cores up to 11mm
The cores show benign breast changes. There is adenosis,focal apocrine metaplasia and some mildly dilated ducts. There is no evidence of atypical hyperplasia,DCIS or invasive malignancy. Microcalcification is not seen.
So with regard to these results and the fact that my symptoms remain unchanged if anything I have pain in my sternum and another small lump which is movable, it's also very hard now because of the biopsies my breast is very lumpy! What avenue do you think I should go down i still feel unsettled don't know why??
Thanks for your valuable time and knowledge
Katie.S
AnswerThanks! I think your breasts - due to their lumpyness should be regularly checked - once per year or so - with a combination of mammography, ultrasound breast scans and MRI breast scans. If anything unclear is seen it should be checked with at least needle biopsies. Good luck! There is NOTHING in your biopsies that indicates anything dangerous or risky!
