Any Info/personal Experience with Stereotactic Biopsy

Updated on May 22, 2008
O.G. asks from Rockville, MD
7 answers

Hello all,
Just this morning a Radiologist and my breast surgeon confirmed I have groupings of calcifications in one breast. I am scheduled for this biopsy this Friday morn. I thought to ask if any of you have had this unusual-sounding procedure done, and if so if you can suggest any way (alternative or other) to prepare for and/or recover from this outpatient surgery. The plan is also to insert 2 (titanium?) mini chips in the breast for tracking future mammograms. I will read on Internet as well...Are there any contraindications here?

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So What Happened?

THank you ALL for writing me back with your experiences...My biopsy last week went well and smoothly...I was glad to have my crystal in hand! Unfortunately, I need to move on..new DX- LCIS and new intervention choices: MRI plus a surgical biopsy. I had other plans for the next few weeks! Anyhow..I will hold your thoughts and know I am not alone...no more questions for now...
Thanks again, and good night, O G

More Answers

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J.D.

answers from Roanoke on

No information, just lots of prayers and well wishes for you! I deal with fibrous cysts - have had many enlarged over the years that sent me to unltra sounds and biopsy's. Fortunately, when I went in for the biopsy, the Dr. decided not to do it and take a wait and see attitude. I was uncomfortable at the time, however it ended up just being an enlarged cyst. A wonderful emotional roller coaster.

D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi O G,

These a considered to be pre cancerous cells.

check the web at:

www.cancerbackup.org/uk/aboutcancer/precancerouscondition...

The 2 chips are what it says, a tracking device to see if these precancerous calcifications grow after the biopsy is done.

You may be sore but you will heal quickly.

As the Doctor about any contraindications.

Hope this helps. D.

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M.P.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi there,

I just had this procedure barely a week ago, and scary as it sounds, it was not horrible. It took about 40 minutes, is minimally invasive, and a much better option than surgical procedures if it can be done.
I was told I might'nt be able to have the stereotactic, but it turned out my surgeon was able to, what a relief!
And you get your results pretty much within a day or two. I had a good outcome, and have to return in 6 months for another mammo (they leave that chip so they can more easily locate the calcifications and monitor them).
Just to let you know, I am 40 with one son, and want to have another child (we had a miscarriage last fall) -- have never had any issues myself, but my Mom is a breast cancer survivor.
I take red clover capsules and a burdock tincture bec. I've read a bit about their anti-cancer properties, but in general I don't think you need to worry much about prep or recovery (I was a little sore, my doctor said I'd end up with some teeny scar(s)).
Good luck and try not to worry too much (though I totally DID worry like crazy) bec. almost 80% of these calcifications are benign!

M. Penberthy

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C.L.

answers from Washington DC on

I had this exact procedure 4 months ago. The most uncomfortable part was laying there still for 45 minutes. There is not much pain afterwards, but it takes months for a developed lump from the procedure to go away, so don't let that alarm you. In fact, when I still rub the area it feels hard. My results turned out fine, and I pray yours do too. If your results are good you will have to have a follow up mammogram in 6 months. I pressed for mine to be in 4 months because we're moving out of the country. Let me know if you have any other questions. C.

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M.R.

answers from Washington DC on

I had tis procedure done about 9 years ago. The best thing you can do to prepare yourself is to just relax and take a calming friend/relative with you. They won't be with your during the procedure, but it is nice to have somebody wait with you. The longest part is waiting for the numbing to take effect. The pain is temporary and no worse than having a regular mammogram. I had a lump reoccur in the exact same place where one had been removed. Both of mine were benign, but is great piece of mind knowing that it is benign and that there is a tracking device so I don't have to go through it aganin unnecessarily. Good Luck!!

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N.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I had this procedure done a few years ago. I was told ahead of time not to eat too much before hand. Not because you will get sick, but because you are lying on your stomach the whole time and you can get uncomfortable if your stomach is full. I was more than likely able to drive myself home, but, like you, I had a ride. The doctor's office told me that while I would be physically able to drive, it is not at all unusual to feel very emotional while all of this is going on, so it's better not to be all alone.

The procedure itself is not at all that bad. YOU will have to lie still, on your stomach, with your breast hanging down through a hole in the table. When I first saw the table I asked "where's the milking stool?". It's pretty impersonal because you aren't able to see anyone, or any of what's going on since you are on your stomach. They gave me a shot of Novocaine, or something like that, to numb the breast. Then the probe (or whatever it is) is put into your breast and cores of tissue are removed to be biopsied. I love weird stuff, so after it was all done, I asked to see the tools and what they removed from me. They hesitated, but I was fine with it. I'll only describe it all to you if you ask and are interested.

I had a large, purple bruise on my breast afterwards, and was most comfortable in a sports bra for a few days (cannot remember).

I was found to have "severe hyperplasia" (or hypo-plasia- I cannot remember). I had to have mammograms every six months for two years. Everything is now alright and Ia m back to the annual mammogram.

It is scary when you are going through this. I hope that it all turns out to be "nothing".

My thoughts are with you. Please fell free to write to me privately if you want to. I am ____@____.com.

N.

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L.B.

answers from Washington DC on

Last year I had this same thing done. I was preparing for a breast reduction and had to have a mammogram prior to the surgery. They found a grouping and 2 days later had the biopsy. I went to the office and they numbed the area and within 15 minutes they were done. They did put the micro chip in and I have not had any problems since. My biopsy came back ok which was good. I had my reduction a week later and am so happy. You may want to take some tylonol prior to the proceedure and take some every couple of hours after. I did go back to work after the biospy just had to ice it every so often.

Good Luck.

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