AboutClaes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. Expertise I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.
Experience I'm a Doctor of Medicine. Licensed/certified physician and surgeon and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation therapy in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and the European Union. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. Now in private practice in Stockholm, Sweden.
Question QUESTION: I had a breast ultrsound yesterday and they found an area that is 9mm that the doctor said they don't know what it is. It is oval with well defined edges and more horizontal than vertical. Although the center looks black and clear to me the doctor said it wasn't and now they want to do a biopsy. Both of my sisters have had to have biopsies along with 99% of their friends. What is the point of the ultrasound if they are going to do a biopsy anyway. What other options do I have besides having the biopsy and should I have another doctor look at the pictures first? This was my first mammogram and it has been a nightmare. Not sure what to do next. I feel as though the doctor is only doing the biopsy because that is now the norm. I don't know that I can go through with it as I broke out in hives and threw up 4 times before having the ultra sound. Your explanation would be greatly appreciated.
ANSWER: Well without the ultrasound no one would know that a biopsy is needed in your case! Furthermore no one would know WHERE to do the biopsy! Biopsies have nothing to do with fashion. It is the best, most effective & efficient method of quickly getting a diagnosis and thereby knowing what more to do - if anything. The quickest, easiest & simplest way of doing it in your case would be as an ultrasound guided needle biopsy. It is important and NECESSARY that you have it done and have it done soonest! Good luck!
Unfortunately there are NO alternative to biopsies. Well be happy if the result is benign! Then nothing more needs to be done! I had 8(!) biopsies of my prostate done in the summer of 2008. There was cancer in 5 of them! Needless to say something had to be done! I underwent 8 months of chemical castration (hormonal therapy) to shrink my old man's enlarged prostate to a treatable size, to keep my cancer in check during this period and to enhance the effect of radiation therapy. Then during the last 2 months of hormonal therapy I had radiation therapy. I myself insisted on my biopsies since my urologist falsely believed that my PSA of 8.8 was caused only by my enlarged prostate and not by any cancer. But I wanted to KNOW! He looked like a wet cat when he had to tell me my results. I thought it was rather self evident from my reply that there is no alternative to biopsies. Even if 80% are negative (in reality probably fewer) that would still mean that 20% would be malignant = cancer! How do you suggest to find them quickly without biopsies? In what way was my reply impolite since you gave me such a bad note there?
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QUESTION: Your reply was impolite because you answers are condescending. If I knew the answers I wouldn't have a need to ask. The fact that I may be scared to death obviously never entered your thoughts consequently your answers were rude and belittling. I am sorry for your own pain.
Answer In what way were they condescending? I never questioned your need to know and I answered your questions and continued (and continue) to do so. That you were scared was rather evident but that can hardly change my replies. I have to tell the truth all the time here. That is what I'm here for. That means that sometimes I can not provide the answers some people want to hear. But I can not do anything about that unfortunately. For me this matter is now closed for now. But if you need to know anything more you are welcome back!
