Breast Ultrasound Core Biopsy Reports: What You Need to Know - Breast and Thyroid

More Info

---

Understanding breast ultrasound core biopsy reports is crucial for patients and their families, especially when it comes to interpreting the results and determining the next steps in treatment. Based on the report you provided, it indicates that your wife has been diagnosed with invasive carcinoma, which is a form of breast cancer. Here’s a breakdown of the report and what it means:

Clinical Diagnosis
The report states "NONE" under clinical diagnosis, which typically means that there were no prior clinical findings that indicated malignancy before the biopsy was performed. This can sometimes happen if the imaging studies (like ultrasound or mammography) did not show any suspicious areas that warranted immediate concern.


Pathological Diagnosis
The core biopsy results show "invasive carcinoma," which confirms the presence of cancerous cells that have invaded surrounding breast tissue. The specifics of the report provide further details:
1. Histologic Type: The report mentions "invasive carcinoma of no special type," which is the most common type of breast cancer. It indicates that the cancer cells do not have specific characteristics that would classify them into a more distinct subtype.

2. Histologic Grade: The Nottingham Histologic Score is used to grade the cancer based on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope. In your wife's case, the final grading is II, which suggests a moderate level of aggressiveness. The grading system ranges from I (low grade, less aggressive) to III (high grade, more aggressive).

3. Hormone Receptor Status:
- ER (Estrogen Receptor): Positive (>95%, strong) indicates that the cancer cells grow in response to estrogen. This is a favorable finding as it suggests that hormone therapy could be an effective treatment option.

- PR (Progesterone Receptor): Positive (>95%, strong) similarly indicates that the cancer cells may respond to progesterone, which also supports the use of hormone therapy.

- HER2: The report shows a score of 0, indicating that the cancer is not overexpressing the HER2 protein, which is another target for specific therapies.

- Ki-67 Index: At 8%, this index measures how quickly the cancer cells are dividing. A lower percentage suggests a slower growth rate.

4. Comment on Myoepithelial Cells: The absence of p63-positive myoepithelial cells in the tumor area supports the diagnosis of invasiveness. Myoepithelial cells typically help to contain the tumor within the ducts; their absence indicates that the cancer has invaded beyond the ducts.


Next Steps
Given that the report confirms invasive carcinoma, it is understandable that your physician has recommended surgery. The surgical intervention is likely aimed at removing the tumor and any surrounding tissue that may contain cancerous cells.

Importance of Follow-Up
It is essential to have a thorough discussion with your wife's healthcare team regarding the treatment plan. This may include:
- Surgery: The type of surgery (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy) will depend on the size and location of the tumor, as well as patient preference.

- Adjuvant Therapy: Depending on the final pathology results post-surgery, additional treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy may be recommended.

- Regular Monitoring: After treatment, regular follow-ups will be necessary to monitor for any signs of recurrence.


Conclusion
In summary, the biopsy report indicates that your wife has invasive breast carcinoma, which requires surgical intervention. The hormone receptor positivity suggests that she may benefit from hormone therapy post-surgery. It is crucial to maintain open communication with her healthcare providers to understand the treatment options and make informed decisions moving forward.