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Reccurrence?..Waiting on biopsy results
Breast Cancer | Last Active: May 10 3:02pm | Replies (60)Comment receiving replies
The biopsy was done on a lymph node in the hepa porta area ( I think that is a strand of lymph area beneath but not in the liver.
There is a description in the path report that states a 5cm mass in the porta hepatic area cystic and solid.
I have not heard from the Dr about this biopsy report. I have an appt next week. The hospital where this was done was supposed to call me with the results before they showed up in My Chart but I have had no call yet and the biopsy report showed up in my chart about an hour ago.
I definitely will discuss with my oncologist. But I was expecting a malignancy cells found report so I am holding on to this maybe being just a watch and wait.
Replies to "The biopsy was done on a lymph node in the hepa porta area ( I think..."
Hi @meme5, it is a double-edged sword to receive a pathology report in advance of meeting with your doctor. A biopsy report is only one piece of the diagnostic process. The results must be put together with the other diagnostic testing (medical history, imaging like a CT scan, blood tests) to get the complete picture.
Focusing on individual terms in the pathology report doesn't consider the whole picture. So I offer this information as information only, not specific to your report or diagnosis. The following article from Cancer.net by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) helps to understand terms used in biopsy reports.
- After a Biopsy: Making the Diagnosis https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/diagnosing-cancer/reports-and-results/after-biopsy-making-diagnosis
In the article, atypical is defined as:
"Atypical: Cells that are not normal but are not cancerous. Atypical cells could become a cancer over time or may increase a person's risk of cancer."
This underlines the need for interpretation. Furthermore, you mention that the liver issue may have been there for a long time. The biopsy and further imaging studies will help rule out other liver-related issues and know what you're actually dealing with.
Heading into a weekend is a hard time to have to wait for the appointment with your oncologist. Do you have a patient portal where you can ask about your tests or ask to talk with a nurse navigator or social worker?
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@meme5 Can you call the doctor tomorrow who ordered biopsy? Is that your oncologist? It could help you to feel better before your appointment next week if your doctor could interpret the pathology report for you.