Topic information for: Testing
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Once the biopsy is complete, a specially trained doctor called a pathologist will examine the tissue or fluid samples for abnormal or cancerous cells. Pathology reports can...
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Bonnie06:20
Related Questions
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What is a "fish test"?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer-
anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a test that “maps” the genetic material in a person’s cells. This test can be used to visualize specific genes or portions of genes. FISH testing is done on breast cancer tissue removed during biopsy to determine whether the cells have extra copies of...
1 comment 2Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a test that “maps” the genetic material in a person’s cells. This test can be used to visualize specific genes or portions of genes. FISH testing is done on breast cancer tissue removed during biopsy to determine whether the cells have extra copies of the HER2 gene. The more copies of the HER2 gene that are present, the more HER2 receptors the cells have. These HER2 receptors receive signals that stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells.
The FISH test results will tell you that the cancer is either “positive” or “negative” (a result sometimes reported as “zero”) for HER2.
There's more on that from this site: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/fish.jsp
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How is a genetic testing done?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 8 answers
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anonymous
Stage 4 Patient
The test can be administered orally or blood can be taken. I had a blood test. It took about two weeks to get the results back.
Comment 1 -
anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
Mine was done by gargling scope and spitting it in a container till I had enough to fill sample cup. And that was it. Had to wait a few weeks for results.
Comment 1
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Why after receiving 5 mamograms on one breast I need to get an ultrasound next? What could this mean?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 5 answers
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anonymous
Stage 4 Patient
Yes, it sounds as if your doctor is being very thorough. That's a good thing! So many things that are non cancerous can be seen such as micro calcifications, etc. Any changes in the breast need to be checked out. I firmly believe in doing self exams as well.
Comment 2 -
anonymous
Survivor since 2011
To start, having 5 mammograms before 1 ultrasound is crazy. But the reason for the ultrasound is to get a more thorough look. It doesn't necessarily mean its something bad. Stay positive!!! God Bless you.
Comment 1
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My doctor said that my mammogram and ultrasound show nothing, but the lumps are still there and sore. What should I do? I know an MRI would be good, but what if my doctor refuses to order one?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 5 answers
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anonymous
Survivor since 2007
This is your body.... the doctor can't refuse to order a test for you. I had a bit of an argument with my doctor about an MRI but he quickly relented and ordered it for me. An MRI will show what a mammogram and an ultrasound can't. In my case, it would have found my breast cancer much earlier....
2 comments 1This is your body.... the doctor can't refuse to order a test for you. I had a bit of an argument with my doctor about an MRI but he quickly relented and ordered it for me. An MRI will show what a mammogram and an ultrasound can't. In my case, it would have found my breast cancer much earlier. Be polite, be nice, but be persistant, and win this one as if your life depended on it. I hope Diana reads this as she will also support you in getting an MRI. You GO GIRL!
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anonymous
Stage 4 Patient
Hi Jennifer. I totally agree with Sharon. You have lumps that a mammogram & ultrasound aren't picking up. Hopefully they are benign....but you don't know. It's crucial that you have an MRI preformed. I wished my doctors would have done one for me. Thus my cancer was found much too late. It is...
Comment 1Hi Jennifer. I totally agree with Sharon. You have lumps that a mammogram & ultrasound aren't picking up. Hopefully they are benign....but you don't know. It's crucial that you have an MRI preformed. I wished my doctors would have done one for me. Thus my cancer was found much too late. It is your body and you need to demand more testing. If your doctor refuses then it might be time to find another doctor. Take care Jennifer & keep us posted
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I found a lump and had a mammogram and ultrasound, which were normal- but I still feel the lump and now I have pain under my arm when I raise my hand. My dr didn't seem too concerned, but I am. Cancer runs in my family. What should I do?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 7 answers
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anonymous
Stage 2A Patient
I suggest getting a new doctor and demanding an MRI. I found my lump during a monthly self exam. I went to my gynecologist and then was referred to get a mammogram. My lump showed up a lot better on an MRI, then I got a biopsy on the mass. It was 5 cm!!! It was there for a very long time...
Comment 1I suggest getting a new doctor and demanding an MRI. I found my lump during a monthly self exam. I went to my gynecologist and then was referred to get a mammogram. My lump showed up a lot better on an MRI, then I got a biopsy on the mass. It was 5 cm!!! It was there for a very long time before I even caught it. And, I don't have any family history...but, that doesn't seem to matter.
I would keep pushing until you get some answers. It's sad but you do have to be your own health advocate. Do the research and find a doctor that will help you. You are worth it!!! -
anonymous
Survivor since 2007
If I were you, I would ask your doctor to order an MRI. Tell him you are still concerned and want to check this out further. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was shocked to see how the tumor showed up like a light bulb on an MRI. Good luck to you and please keep us posted.
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My mom is HER2 positive. Is there a test that I can have done to see if I am a carrier?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer-
anonymous
Survivor since 2010
I am sorry about your mom's diagnosis. If you decide to get genetic testing, make sure you see a genetic counselor and/or a geneticist and ask that doctor if you are a candidate for BART testing. The genetic testing process is more complex than most people think. Your geneticist can explain the...
3 comments 2I am sorry about your mom's diagnosis. If you decide to get genetic testing, make sure you see a genetic counselor and/or a geneticist and ask that doctor if you are a candidate for BART testing. The genetic testing process is more complex than most people think. Your geneticist can explain the different available tests. There is "basic" testing and BART testing. My mother, who has fought breast cancer 3 times, tested BRCA negative after her first diagnosis in 2006 but she in fact really wasn't. (She only had the "basic" test). When I was diagnosed in 2010, I consulted a geneticist with enough brains to order BART genetic testing for me, which confirmed I have a BRCA2 mutation. My mother was re-tested and is also positive. Several cousins were subsequently tested and are also positive. If I hadn't had the BART test, they would not have known. Genetic testing is a scary process but it can give you and your family potentially life-saving information.
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anonymous
Stage 2A Patient
Yes. It's the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genetic test to see if you carry the breast cancer gene. Having the gene doesn't necessarily mean you will get breast cancer, but it may increase your chances and give you information to take care of yourself and be proactive.
Here is some information from...Comment 1Yes. It's the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genetic test to see if you carry the breast cancer gene. Having the gene doesn't necessarily mean you will get breast cancer, but it may increase your chances and give you information to take care of yourself and be proactive.
Here is some information from www.breastcenter.com on the test:
In 1994, the first gene associated with breast cancer — BRCA1 (for BReast CAncer1) was identified on chromosome 17. A year later, a second gene associated with breast cancer — BRCA2 — was discovered on chromosome 13. When individuals carry a mutated form of either BRCA1 or BRCA2, they have an increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer at some point in their lives. Children of parents with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene mutation.Your Mom's doctor would probably be able to refer you to a genetic counselor to have the test done. They do take a sample of your spit instead of a blood test now. It's an easy test to take, but can cost quite a bit (fyi).
Hope that helps!
Good luck and all the best to your Mom!!!
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Hi, I got diagnosed breast cancer a month ago. I have gone through tons of tests, but no PET SCAN.. Should I ask for one? I have surgery next week, but I have not yet met the oncologist.. Should I be concered?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 5 answers
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anonymous
Survivor since 2007
My treatment started in 2006 so I also had a ton of tests pre-surgery. I had a CT-Scan instead of a PET Scan, a MUGA, Bone Scan, MRI. I did meet the Oncologist before I had surgery. It was a really miserable time mentally for me. It all happened so fast and it was frightening to me. I had so...
3 comments 1My treatment started in 2006 so I also had a ton of tests pre-surgery. I had a CT-Scan instead of a PET Scan, a MUGA, Bone Scan, MRI. I did meet the Oncologist before I had surgery. It was a really miserable time mentally for me. It all happened so fast and it was frightening to me. I had so many questions and as the tests came back my treatment plan became more clear. If I were you, I would talk to your surgeon or oncologist about why you are not receiving a PET scan. They may not feel you need it as they have the pre-diagnostics that are needed for you specific case. Treatment is now very specific and no two women are treated the same way. It all depends on the specific cells that make up your tumor.
This is the type of situation you are going in to you need to ask questions and have an answer that will put your mind to rest. Don't be the least bit shy about speaking up about anything. You are going to be your own best advocate. I was able to save myself a second horrific reaction to a medication because the oncologist's office had made a mistake on my chemo "recipe." The infusion nurse and I got into a discussion because she was blowing off my concern. Turns out, I was right, she was wrong. She said, "It's a good thing you were so insistant." (duh...) So... start learning to speak up.... be respectful, but ask your questions. Good luck, I hope you hang out on this board... there are wonderful caring women on this site.
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anonymous
Stage 4 Patient
Hi Sylvia. I was given a PET scan prior to the beginning of my treatment, but I had chemo first, then my bilateral mastectomy. I'm not sure it that has anything to do with it or not. I would certainly ask the reasoning behind that decision. You mentioned that you haven't met with your oncologist...
Comment 0Hi Sylvia. I was given a PET scan prior to the beginning of my treatment, but I had chemo first, then my bilateral mastectomy. I'm not sure it that has anything to do with it or not. I would certainly ask the reasoning behind that decision. You mentioned that you haven't met with your oncologist yet. Do you mean your surgical oncologist (who performs your surgery) or your medical oncologist (who performs your chemo)? If its your surgical oncologist, he/she should be meeting with you soon to discuss the procedure & answer any questions you might have. I would definitely call their office & find out what's going on.
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How is vascular invasiveness tested?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer-
anonymous
Industry Provider
vascular invasion is something doctors look for in a breast cancer tumor under a microscope. If there is vascular invasion in the tumor, they can see breast cancer cells inside of tiny blood vessels. Sometimes the vascular invasion is there, but it is difficult for doctors to see. There are...
Comment 1vascular invasion is something doctors look for in a breast cancer tumor under a microscope. If there is vascular invasion in the tumor, they can see breast cancer cells inside of tiny blood vessels. Sometimes the vascular invasion is there, but it is difficult for doctors to see. There are some special dyes that are used to make the invasion easier to see. Doctors look for vascular invasion because if it is present, it is easier to expect that the cancer cells have made their way outside of the tumor into the lymph nodes or farther. But, invasion can be present without any signs of cancer spread to lymph nodes or elsewhere.
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
When we talk about vascular, we are talking about the blood vessels and the lymph nodes. When it comes to the blood normally we detect locations where vessels might have carried tumour cells by a high definition CT scanning, with those images it's safe to say that the vessels have not carried...
Comment 0When we talk about vascular, we are talking about the blood vessels and the lymph nodes. When it comes to the blood normally we detect locations where vessels might have carried tumour cells by a high definition CT scanning, with those images it's safe to say that the vessels have not carried anything when the images are clear. To detect if the lymph vessels has carried any tumour cells to lymph nodes, we started relatively recently with what we call a " sentinel lymph technology"; with this method we inject a dye that has the ability to detect the first lymph node that was touched by tumour cells and remove it accurately. other methods exists but am trying to be as clear as possible. Senoir internal medicine resident, Geneva's university hospital.
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I recently had a mammogram, is it common to have to go back for another mammogram and ultrasound?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 9 answers
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
Yes it is
Comment 0 -
anonymous
Stage 4 Patient
Yes, it's very common. I had micro calcifications show up on mine. The majority of the time it's nothing to worry about. Just make sure you're comfortable with their answer. I've learned you truly must be your own advocate. Best wishes! :)
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I had my first mammogram last Tues. and "more images" needed, then got "8 sample core biopsy" for "amorphous calcium deposits" Anyone had this and gotten great benign news?
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer- View all 4 answers
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anonymous
Survivor since 2007
I have had three friends have biopsy's because of these specks of calcium and their tests came back benign. They were all in their 50's. Another friend age 44 had the same thing and it came back DCIS. She is just completely her treatment which consisted of a mastectomy but no other treatment. ...
Comment 0I have had three friends have biopsy's because of these specks of calcium and their tests came back benign. They were all in their 50's. Another friend age 44 had the same thing and it came back DCIS. She is just completely her treatment which consisted of a mastectomy but no other treatment. She is in the process of having reconstruction. She had to have a mastectomy because it was so wide spread. Hang in there and take care, Sharon
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anonymous
Learning About Breast Cancer
I am 41. I went in for my first mammogram and they found areas of concern. So after ultrasound and biopsies they said it was DCIS. Everyone said if you were to have cancer, this is the one to have. It is considered stage zero. Before they would perform the lumpectomy they ordered an MRI to...
Comment 0I am 41. I went in for my first mammogram and they found areas of concern. So after ultrasound and biopsies they said it was DCIS. Everyone said if you were to have cancer, this is the one to have. It is considered stage zero. Before they would perform the lumpectomy they ordered an MRI to make sure there wasn't anything else and to verify the size of the DCIS. The MRI showed up against my chest wall was a small tumor. The biopsy after that showed to be invasive breast cancer. Just like that, everything changed. The mammogram did not see this. Now I have had a mastectomy on the left side. The MRI also showed concerns on the other side, but they were benign. The surgeon did lumpectomy on the right side. I also had a pet scan. Neither the petscan nor the MRI showed any cancer in the lymph nodes. But after the lymph node dissection, 2 of 14 were positive for cancer. I hope they order an MRI for you, unless your biopsies turn out benign. I remember when they first found the calcium deposits they said they were going to biopsy them "to prove they weren't cancer". So there is hope!
Related Topics
- Biopsy
- Calcium Deposits
- Chemotherapy
- Clinical Breast Exam
- Close
- Cure
- Diagnosis
- Doctors
- Fish Test
- Genetic Mapping
- Genetic Testing
- Her2
- Herceptin
- Lab
- Loved Ones
- Lumpectomy
- Lumps
- Lymph Nodes
- Mammogram
- Margins
- Medication
- Mri
- Nausea
- Nauseated
- Negative
- Oncologist
- Pet Scan
- Positive
- Self Breast Exam
- Sickness
- Sonogram
- Stage 3
- Stages
- Support
- Surgery
- Treatment
- Tumor
- Ultrasound
- Vascular Invasion
- Vascular Invasiveness
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