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Bi-rad 4: Surgical excision recommended for me

Posted by cc168 @cpp, Jan 9, 2023

I did a 3D mammogram (BILATERAL DIGITAL DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAPHY TOMO WITH CAD) with BI-RADS Category 4: Suspicious Abnormality (very dense breast with Radiologist recommended sugical excision (because The calcifications in question do not appear to reside on the skin surface. None of the calcifications are amenable to stereotactic biopsy due to the extremely faint breast compression, as little as 6 mm.). The obgyn dr assured me this does not mean I have cancel but just need to have a breast surgeon to do the biopsy to confirm. I’m really scared and not understand why surgical excision is required in my case. Is it normal recommendation for flat chested women? I am waiting for my first appointment with a breast surgeon this Friday but would like to know if there is any other less invasive alternatives.

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hobo | @hobo | Jan 16, 2023
In reply to @cpp "The breast surgeon said needle biopsy can’t be done as I’m flat chested. What’s terrible is..." + (show)
@cpp

The breast surgeon said needle biopsy can’t be done as I’m flat chested. What’s terrible is that she has to make 4 cuts (each cut is about 1inch, 2 on each breast, based on the mammogram ) to remove tissue out for biopsy. She also said I can wait 6 months for another mammogram and decide from there. She said she may be able to do one cut on one of the breast(based on the mammogram), so 3 cuts. I’m inclined to wait. I just think it’s horrible to do 3 cuts on a flat chested woman.

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Get an MRI and look into additional doctors opinions.

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cc168 | @cpp | Jan 18, 2023
In reply to @spinnerbait "Wishing you the best of luck. Remember calcifications does not mean cancer! It’s a possibility! Let..." + (show)
@spinnerbait

Wishing you the best of luck. Remember calcifications does not mean cancer! It’s a possibility! Let me know how you do! You’re not alone. This site is wonderful. I’m having anxiety also. Go for my first MRI since my Excisional biopsy. Not looking forward to it either.

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Hope everything will be fine with you.

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cctoo. Catherine Crowley | @cctoo | Jan 19, 2023

you're lucky! I wanted surgical excision just to get it out! Birads 4 also. But no one would let me so biopsy was awful and still had to have surgery!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 5, 2023

Hi @cpp, I wanted to check in with you and see how you are doing? Did you get a second opinion? What have you decided as next steps?

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cc168 | @cpp | Feb 20, 2023

Thanks for following up with me. The breast surgeon agreed to let me wait 6 months for another mammogram. My next one is scheduled for June 1st. I’ll do surgical excision / biopsy if it’s still required.

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tigerjulie | @tigerjulie | Feb 21, 2023

Best wishes to you. I agree with getting another opinion when you are in doubt. You have nothing to lose and waiting may often be of benefit.

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cc168 | @cpp | Jun 8, 2023
In reply to @tigerjulie "Best wishes to you. I agree with getting another opinion when you are in doubt. You..." + (show)
@tigerjulie

Best wishes to you. I agree with getting another opinion when you are in doubt. You have nothing to lose and waiting may often be of benefit.

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I had my follow up mammogram on June 1st and they said the mammogram remain same as bi-rad4. I will see my breast surgeon tomorrow and I’m not sure what will happen.

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