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Breast Cancer/breast cancer biopsy

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Expert: - 7/13/2006


Question
Hi!  My mother in law was given a needle biopsy on the lump in her breast.   The dr was unable to speak with us until today, however, he did confirm it was breast cancer and the biopsy was diagnosed as a "suspicious 4".  Could you tell me what "suspicious 4" means and level of concern for it.

Answer
Honestly I do not understand either what exactly he meant! Misunderstanding? HOWEVER, even just the word suspicious means that you have to be concerned and at least a surgical biopsy MUST be done ASAP! Please do keep me posted!

I'm a Swede and the technique of thin needle biopsies was developed here in Sweden by some oncologists (one of them, Professor Sixten Franzén, M.D., Ph.D., a former boss of mine) together with some tumour pathologists. It just struck me that in the USA maybe these biopsies are evaluated differently than here - more along the lines cytological gynecological Pap smears are evaluated. If so a suspicious 4 would mean highly suspicious of being a cancer! Please do keep me posted!  

Breast Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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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.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. 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.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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