Biopsy result

Hi can someone help me to understand what is going on.

 

im 11 weeks pregnant and I found a small round lump (about the size of those little silver balls you get in nail varnish bottles) on my left breast about 2 weeks ago! I went to the doctor and she referred me to a specialist- who was quite dismissive of the lump but send me for a ultrasound- the lady who performed the ultrasound said it looked very benign! But as it was a new lump she took a biopsy (3in total) 

went back for my results yesterday- the specialist doctor came in and said results came back non cancerous but does show rapid cell growth!? He asked if I would like this removed and of course I agreed- he offered me general anaesthetic and I just signed away, until my husband then reminded him that I was pregnant and asked could I be put to sleep if I was pregnant- he left the room checked my notes and said he had it on his notes that I was pregnant but he wasn’t sure if the pathologist knew I was pregnant! 

I asked him why did this matter and he said well the fact I’m pregnant would change the outcome meaning that might explain the rapid cell growth!

i am so confused- he has asked me to come back Monday so he has a chance to speak to the pathologist!! 

I was under the impression rapid cell growth is cancer!? How does me being pregnant cause me to grow cells more rapidly? Can anyone help me- this has been 2 weeks of waiting and appointments, tears and of course looking at Dr google!!! I am worried sick and my Dr is just very black and white and not great at explaining things. 

Please anyone with advice - please get in touch! 

When I google rapid cell growth in breasts it comes back with cancer cancer cancer and is there any other possible reason for this especially as I’m pregnant 

mom going out of my mind with worry. 

Thanks for reading xxx

  • Hi Charlotte

    first of all, congratulations on your pregnancy :)

    the reason we advice people to stay away from Dr Google is because it always points to cancer; type in pain in toe and you’ll eventually get a cancer diagnosis:D

    all pregnant women get rapid cell growth in breasts, it’s perfectly normal, estrogen stimulates cell growth in breasts when pregnant as it’s needed to produce prolactin; necessary to produce milk.

    thank goodness your husband was on the ball.

    hope your pregnancy goes well - enjoy this time, it’s magical. x

  • Honestly you have made me cry. You are the only person who has given me a straight answer. And that’s no disrespect to the doctors whatsoever, they do a amazing job day in day out. Doesn’t explain the lump- I’ve been told so many different things at first I thought it may have been a Fibroadenoma (quite common in pregnancy apparently) but the biopsy didn’t come back with that? I’m just very confused.

    I really want to start enjoying my pregnancy as I already have two children I suffered a horrendous miscarriage last year and I know this will be my last pregnancy, so I need to enjoy every aspect and up until now I even embraced morning sickness but now I’m just so down with this hanging over my head. 

    Honestly- thank you so much for your reply! 

    Xx

  • I’m glad I could be of some help and I’m really sorry to hear about your miscarriage. 

    With regards to your diagnosis. They’ve already told you what the ‘lump’ is, it’s a group of rapid cells growth (biopsy results) so a lump of benign cells -  you don’t have cancer. The surgeon was suggesting a preventive option but this is only because he/pathologist forgot that you are pregnant. 

     

  • Makes sense. 

    Thanks again. Hope your ok also, after all we are all here for one reason x

  • Hi. I’ve had my follow up appointment today and the fact I’m pregnant doesn’t change anything. They have booked me in next Monday to have it removed under a local anaesthetic because I am pregnant I can’t have a general. I am so confused that they are removing it even though they have told me that the biopsy was clear. I feel like they can see I’m a nervous person and are not telling me something! 

    The paperwork I was given says they are removing the lump to make a diagnosis? 

    The specialist said it’s not cancer but they can’t rule it out. Just feels like I’m not getting a straight answer. X

  • Hi Charlotte

    they will not lie to you about biopsy results - they’d be struck off if they did that and would have a potential law suit on their hands. I’m also confused as to why they are going to remove a tiny benign lump. To be honest I thought you’d get a call to say don’t come back.

    from what you’ve written the facts remain the same, your pregnant with rapid cell growth that is benign. Even your surgeon asked you if you wanted it removed, all us ladies with cancer didn’t get that choice, we’re told it MUST be removed.

    My guess is the pathologist wants to re-run the procedure again given the confusion surrounding your pregnancy. They could do another set of biopsies but then your lump is so tiny there can’t be much of it left after the initial 3 biopsies you had.

    Its all a bit odd and unprofessional in my opinion.

    Do you have a breast nurse you could call and ask her to read out to you the full pathology report?