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Can core biopsy miss the lump? Or was it on purpose?

Mandy1988
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Hi there, looking for some advice please.  I have been to hospital today to have a breast lump checked over.  I thought it would be straight forward in & out , but after I was checked over I was told that I would have to go straight round for a scan & probably a biopsy.  I turned green as I'm not good with needles & thought they would have sent me an appointment out in the post.  But no they sent me round right away and the sonographer done 3x core biopsies there & then.  I'm not sure if that's what usually happens or if people usually get to come back for it?  After I got home I had a look under my top as she said I had 3 stitches & a waterproof dressing to keep an eye on. But to my surprise where the dressing was isn't where my lump was. When I was checked over they used a pen to draw round the lump so the US department knew where it was. But when I have looked at my dressing it's below where the circle is.  Could this have been a mistake or could it be they went in at a different angle or something? I had local anesthetic so didn't feel what happened much at the time but definitely have no pain where my lump is so far.  So sorry about the long post, I hope for normal results but dont want normal results just because they done the biopsy in the wrong place .  Has any one else noticed this happen to them?

thanks for any help or advice , sending lots of love & light to all x

  • Hello Mandy1988

    I'm sorry to hear that you've recently had some concerns about your breast health which led to you needing some biopsies during your clinic appointment. It's understandable that you're feeling concerned. 

    It's not uncommon for a breast biopsy to be taken at an angle that doesn't directly relate to the lump. The sonographer who did the biopsy will have used the ultrasound machine to guide the needle to the right place and sometimes this means coming at it from an angle that you might not expect. You can read more about needle biopsies on our website here. 

    It can be a difficult time waiting for test results. Often it can help to talk things through with someone and I'd suggest giving our team of nurses a call. I'm sure they will be happy to talk things through with you and offer some advice, information, and support to help you. If you'd like to chat with them they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I hope that you won't have to wait too long for your biopsy results. Do keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Jenn

    Hi Jenn, thanks very much for your reply. I had a look over the link you posted & it makes a bit more sense. I understand they could have went in at an angle now.  I do hope all my results are ok but I will mention to the nurse or whoever calls me that it was very far away from where the smaller lump was just so she knows what my thoughts were.  I don't want to have to go through it all again but want the results to be accurate for sure.  To explain a bit more why I am concerned it is that the circle they drew around was way above where the cut is, I suppose she could have pushed the needle up higher when she was in there. The way my lump is, it's like a very hard figure of 8 but it is attached to a bigger slightly softer lump. So my worry was maybe the lady felt the bigger lump and done biopsy to that part rather than the smaller harder lump that's attached onto it.  I'll mention this on the phone & they maybe they have a note to say that was the way they wanted it to be done, who knows.  At least they have checked over to look into it anyway. And if they missed the right spot it may come up on my results or something.  Thanks again for your reply & I will let you know how I get on.  Kind regards, Amanda x

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