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Biopsy...Think Twice....

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Posted by FairWind on 9/13/2003 from 205.188.208.108:

Today, there are MANY diagnostic tools that can be used to verify if some abnornality is malignant or not. In my opinion, in many cases, a tissue biopsy is the worst method. The standard procedure for many years, after a mammogram points to a problem, is to probe the suspected tumor with a fairly large needle, often involving multiple attempts to obtain a suitable sample. The decision for further treatment is then based on the results of this biopsy. Little thought is given to the possibility that the biopsy procedure itself may cause metastasis, malignant cells torn loose from the tumor mass by the probing needle and sent on their lethal way throughout the body....
Today, the presence of a malignancy can be determined with very high accuracy without a biopsy. You might want to think about waiting until the breast(s) have been removed before disturbing the tumor mass. While I am not a doctor and this is not medical advise, I can tell you this. My 34 year old daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer after she found a small lump during a self-exam. After the mastectomy, it was determined she was stage 2. She underwent a vigorous round of chemotheropy and was given an 85% chance of long term survival. Today, 18 months later, she is stage 4....That needle biopsy, to me, is a high risk procedure that is no longer necessary.

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