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Followup To
Question -
My 24 year old daughter finished her master's program the first week of April. A week later she went to the Health Center to have a lump she'd felt for just about a month checked out. Because of her age, the nurse/practitioner recommended an ultrasound, which was scheduled two weeks later. It took almost two weeks to get the results, which indicated a solid mass and gave dimensions. A mamogram was then recommended. The earliest we could schedule that was June 2. My question is this: If it is already known to be a solid mass, isn't a biopsy going to be necessary? The time frame of all this is really upsetting. No one could tell me how long it would be before a biopsy could be scheduled if it's necessary. My daughter is no longer a full time student, so insurance is also an issue. (She is currently going to job interviews.)
Answer -
Dear Rosie, A breast MASS can be either benign or malignant.... Also, ultrasound can not pick up calcifications very well and I am assuming this is why the mammogram has been ordered... Also irregular borders along with calcifications could indicate a need for a biopsy... Not all masses are cancerous (malignant) and not all masses need to be biopsied.... This is why the doctor is ordering the mammogram, inorder to get a more exact picture of the mass....
If after the mammogram is done and the results are in that leads the doctors to believe this is HIGHLY suspecious of cancer, then a biopsy will be needed.... Also, a Fine Needle Biopsy is not the most accurate and therefore, most doctors prefer to go in and remove the suspicious mass and some tissue around it and then send it for biopsy while the patient is still on the table, so that if it is cancer, surgery that is needed can be done at the same time....
Insurance or no insurance, what ever the mammogram says and what ever the biopsy needed MUST be done... She is young and to not have the surgery to remove the solid mass if thought to be cancerous, would be foolish just because she has no insurance.... Cancer of the breast when caught early is highly curable....
If this IS a suspecious mass, then she will have to go to a surgeon and have the surgery scheduled.... I can't tell you how long this will take, but usually a GOOD surgeon will schedule the biopsy surgery very soon even if it means putting back another surgery already scheduled...
Thank you, karen
Dear Karen,
Thank you so much for your quick response! I did not mean to give the impression that my daughter would not have whatever procedure was necessary because her insurance is running out. Only that the fact it IS going to expire within a month or so is an issue, particularly if she would need surgery. My follow up question is, how would you find the best surgeon in a new area? We have a network here (in Cincinnati), but don't have any real way to know anyone in the Orlando, FL area. However, since she lives there and plans to be employed there, it makes sense for her to find a good doctor there. What would you suggest?
AnswerDear Rosie, Since you have a good network in Cincinnati, start there with your family doctor or any other surgeons you have had to use in the past..... They have ways of connecting or even personally knowing surgeons in the Orlando Fl. area and can refer you to one there.... If you Cincinnati doctors can't help, then call one of the local hospitals in the Orlando Fl. area and ask for a list of their BEST surgeon who do breast biopsies.... the hospital will give you several who are on their staff or are accredited to work in their hospital and also give you phone numbers etc.... You can also check with the hospital to see if any of these doctors have ever been reported for any type of medical mistakes or other reasons....
I would also STRONGLY suggest that where ever she is going for the mammogram, that she go back there on Firday June 4th to the medical records department and sign a release form to get a copy of her radiology report on the mammogram.... All too often, the hospitals or radiologist send these reports to the DOCTORS, but the doctors don't see them or even look at the reports but once or twice a week.... By getting her own copy of what the mammogram report says, SHE herself, can start calling the doctor who sent her for the mammogram and DEMAND an appointment or DEMAND a good surgeon based on what the mammogram says.... If she can get a copy of this radiology report AND the radiology report on the ultrasound, and if you can then type me the findings (infull), I can help you with understanding what is said....
Keep in touch, karen
