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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Biopsy Results

The biopsy results are a good and bad kind of thing.

Good news first: BENIGN (not cancer yet) 

I do not have cancer yet, but it was a tumor called Phyllodes Tumor. This is a rare tumor (counts for less than 1% of all breast cancer diagnosis). It is a connective tissue tumor rather than the more common ductal or lobal tumors. It is very aggressive (it grew 3cm in 9 days..2.4 at ultrasound..5.4 when removed 9 days or so later, it weighed 25grams), does not respond well to chemo or radiation. It counts as a positive breast cancer diagnosis even if the tumor is benign at the time it is found. Unlike other breast cancers it is not classed by stages (example stage 1-4), it is classified as benign, borderline, or malignant (cancer) based on the number of irregularly shaped cells in the tumor and how fast cell division is occurring.

I am glad that I insisted on a full lumpectomy for this biopsy because these tumors ALWAYS give a false negative (remember Dr Idiot said false negatives never happen?!?! IDIOT) on a needle biopsy, in fact they usually come back with a misdiagnosis of fibroadenoma (very benign type growth). Had I followed the surgeon's idea of a needle biopsy, I would have been misdiagnosed. They are also very hard to diagnose by mammogram, ultrasound and MRI due to the fact that they look very similar to fibroadenoma. Though an MRI can give the best view of the tumor and thus be helpful in planning surgical removal. Surgical removal is the usual choice for treatment of these tumors, sometimes requiring full mastectomy.

Next step will be genetic test (Dr. Idiot said if I come up with one of the genes, he will do the mastectomy I asked for) and bilateral mastectomy as this is the best way to prevent a new tumor (which will be cancerous) from growing (the less breast tissue I have, the lower my chances of growing a second tumor (this one cancerous) of this type.

You can find out more here:
http://breastcancer.about.com/od/types/p/phyllodes_sa.htm"

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/DetailedGuide/breast-cancer-what-is-breast-cancer"


Due to the type of tumor I will be seeing a couple different surgeons in the hopes that one of them will do the mastectomy without the genetic test, though I plan on getting blood drawn for the test in case all the surgeons I see demand the test.

Leave it to me to get a rare type of tumor that is difficult to treat and difficult to diagnose.

11 comments:

  1. I am SO GLAD that you went for the lumpectomy! My mother's grew super fast as well but hers was malignant.She is doing just fine today!

    Don't you just love how much some doctors think they know?? I have had docs that were not all that good with diagnosis either. It really pays to check them out before you have to go.

    You have s most wonderful day!!

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  2. Good to hear that you got a believable diagnosis and result. Having a rare condition doesn't make it easier on your or the medical community, but sounds like you've got a handle on this.

    Sending good thoughts for a positive outcome.

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  3. Hope you continue to do well and will keep you in my thoughts!

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  4. Good to know that now you have a handle on what's going on.
    Positive thoughts your way~

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  5. Glad to hear that you got a proper result at last and I hope that one of the surgeons will listen to you and carry out your wishes. Keeping you in my thoughts.

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  6. I am so glad you got some good news at the doctor.

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  7. I'm glad you followed your own instincts and had the type of test done you thought was necessary! Sending positive thoughts your way that everything goes well for you.

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  8. Best wishes to you
    I hope all goes well

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  9. Wow! All of that just floored me! What a decision to make, keep the girls or get rid of them? Personally I'd wait for the genetic testing to come back before getting rid of them... but if I were at high risk for an aggressive cancer I'd say bye without hesitation. Of course our breasts are what identify us as women it would be a hard step to take.

    It sounds like you're making sure you're well informed! Keep advocating for yourself that's key in today's age!!!

    I do Run For the Cure the last two years to raise money for breast cancer research. I've done it ever since I lost my weight and my foot injury healed and I'll be doing until they have to carry me across the finish line. After my breast cancer scare its very important for me to do this and fundraise for breast cancer research. Last year I raised just over 900.00 this year I will raise just over 1000!!! I've already got the donation link up on my blog for folks to sponsor me.

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  10. Have been thinking of you while I was away and keeping you in my prayers.
    Sending hugs to keep you strong as you go on to the next stages.

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