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Breast biopsy results being repeated

monet208
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Can anyone advise as getting stressed 

Private hospital- took 3 weeks to get pathology results after first breast biopsy gave a cancer diagnosis 

Then the pea  size tumour was removed 3 weeks ago and 3 nearby lymph nodes removed as a precaution . Specialist advised previous tests did not give him to think the nodes were affected but removal was a precaution 

After 3 weeks our specialists nurse found out some retesting was being done by the pathology company who were behind with their testing

It's irrelevant that we are private patients 

can anyone give advice as to why pathologists retest samples because hearing this today we are worried sick

Thanks

 

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    I am sorry to hear about your situation and I can appreciate the concern you have.

    I'm afraid that I do not know the exact details of why your pathology test was repeated by another company. However, I would say that generally, asking for another opinion is not unusual and shows that they are being thorough. It does not mean you necessarily have cancer.

    Your specialist nurse may be able to give more information about the process, so do ask.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care,

    Caroline 

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Caroline

    Thankyou

    why does the pathologist repeat a test on a small breast tumour sample or a removed lymph node please?

    thanks

  • in reply to monet208

    Hello monet208 and thanks for posting, 

    Pathologists examine both the core biopsy specimen taken to make a diagnosis and also the surgical specimen after the tumour has been removed.

    I think a lot of information comes from the core biopsy sample analysis, but sometimes tests that were done on the core biopsy may need to be repeated on the tumour sample, for example this may need to be done if scanty cancer cells were seen in the core biopsy sample. These repeat tests could be to confirm things like hormone sensitivity to help guide treatment, but I am not sure if this is what is happening.

    It could be that initial test results on the tumour and the node weren't clear cut - pathology is a specialist area of medicine and these tests aren't as straightforward to interpret as we might imagine. There are guidelines for pathologists, I find them hard to make sense of because the language they use is all its own, but they say to repeat tests in certain situations so this could just be routine.

    Try and keep an open mind, although I realise this is easier said than done.

    I'm afraid I can't explain much else.  

    I hope you know more soon. 

    Give us a ring if you want to talk anything over,  our number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here weekdays 9-5.

    Wishing you the best,

    Julia

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