Understanding Breast Cancer Biopsy Results and Radiation Therapy for Seniors

Question
Dr. Nordquist

Hi,  this is a follow up to my last question. My Mom had the biopsy done for breast cancer and it came up positive. Im very leery about this, the reason is she had the test done Friday and the results were back Monday ?  How could a
detailed biopsy be done so quickly ?  My next question has to do with radiation treatment,  my mom is in her 80's, Im afraid if she needs radiation treatment it will do more harm then good. Finally,  I would like to get a second opinion, what are your thoughts.

thanks for your help

Ken  

Answer
Most of my estimate of the needed time was based on pure paper work delay, so in a really efficiently run pathology department this is not impossible at all! Pathologists should be able to deliver a diagnosis even DURING a surgical operation based on material from it! So it is certainly not impossible or remarkable.. In experienced hands radiation therapy will MOST probably do MUCH more good than bad and may even be vitally important for her! It is never wrong to ask for a second opinion! Sorry that her diagnosis was a cancer, but that is most probably a fact and we will have to work from there! Good luck!