HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - calling gurus--pre-cancerous needle biopsy

StephN · 10-29-2011, 11:07 AM

Sassy -
Normally the words would be "atypical cells." If there is already a lump somewhere, it can be cancer as was in my case.
What made them do the needle biopsy?

My needle biopsy (of a lump I found) turned up "atypical cells" because the needle did not hit the actual tumor (it was small) but some "atypical cells" were in the surrounding tissue. Next I had a core biopsy, which showed the very same result. My tumor was closer to my chest wall. Finally an excisional biopsy was done which included a mass in which my tumor was embedded. I had to go the whole route to get my final diagnosis.

This is a link to the types of biopsies:
http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/Unde...y-biopsy-types
I hope she is seeing a SURGEON who can go the next step and order further testing and/or imaging. A breast MRI may be a good screening method for this lady.

Here is what Mayo Clinic says on their web site:
"Atypical hyperplasia is thought to be part of the complex, multistep process by which breast cancer develops. The process begins when normal cell development and growth become disrupted, causing an overproduction of normal-looking cells (hyperplasia). Atypical hyperplasia occurs when the excess cells stack upon one another and begin to take on an abnormal appearance. The abnormal cells can continue to change in appearance and multiply, evolving into noninvasive (in situ) cancer, in which cancer cells remain confined to the area where they start growing. Left untreated, the cancer cells may eventually become invasive cancer, invading surrounding tissue, blood vessels or lymph channels."
In my case there was already a tumor that was affecting neighboring tissue.

Here is a link to Dr. Susan Love's explanation, with diagrams.
http://www.dslrf.org/breastcancer/co...2&L4=1&SID=162

10-29-2011, 11:07 AM	#2
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Re: calling gurus--pre-cancerous needle biopsy Sassy - Normally the words would be "atypical cells." If there is already a lump somewhere, it can be cancer as was in my case. What made them do the needle biopsy? My needle biopsy (of a lump I found) turned up "atypical cells" because the needle did not hit the actual tumor (it was small) but some "atypical cells" were in the surrounding tissue. Next I had a core biopsy, which showed the very same result. My tumor was closer to my chest wall. Finally an excisional biopsy was done which included a mass in which my tumor was embedded. I had to go the whole route to get my final diagnosis. This is a link to the types of biopsies: http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/Unde...y-biopsy-types I hope she is seeing a SURGEON who can go the next step and order further testing and/or imaging. A breast MRI may be a good screening method for this lady. Here is what Mayo Clinic says on their web site: "Atypical hyperplasia is thought to be part of the complex, multistep process by which breast cancer develops. The process begins when normal cell development and growth become disrupted, causing an overproduction of normal-looking cells (hyperplasia). Atypical hyperplasia occurs when the excess cells stack upon one another and begin to take on an abnormal appearance. The abnormal cells can continue to change in appearance and multiply, evolving into noninvasive (in situ) cancer, in which cancer cells remain confined to the area where they start growing. Left untreated, the cancer cells may eventually become invasive cancer, invading surrounding tissue, blood vessels or lymph channels." In my case there was already a tumor that was affecting neighboring tissue. Here is a link to Dr. Susan Love's explanation, with diagrams. http://www.dslrf.org/breastcancer/co...2&L4=1&SID=162 __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.