What is the standard of care (timing) to refer a patient for a biopsy after mammogram or ultrasound?

Answer 1

As a nurse and also having gone thru this myself. The timing or standard of care varies among health facilities. But if the test requires a biopsy in our area this is done within one week.
It is a scarey event but the majority of biopsies come out ok.
Mine did.

Answer 2

It depends on where you live and who is doing the reading. Generally, while you are still at the imaging center the doctor who reads the film will ask for more if something is suspicious. Sometime they will then ask for a sonogram but usually this is somewhat standard. Only two to four mammograms actually diagnose cancer. A report is sent to the doctor who ordered the mammogram and a decision is made to do a biopsy. It is scheduled within a few days and defiantly within the week.

Answer 3

Depends on the medical facility/insurance, and what Country. I was able to have mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy (Southern California) in one appointment. Having to wait for results is very stressful, so if the patient can get it all done at once, it is a lot easier.

Answer 4

My opinion is it should be immediate. The mammogram and ultrasound help locate the tumor and doing a biopsy immediately will ensure that the proper tissue is assessed. My mom had a non carcenogenic papaloma and her doctor told her to wait even though she expressed a drop of blood. Two years later she is dealing with metastasis to the bones, lung and liver. Its cheeper in the long run for you and for the medical system.

Answer 5

Referral should be done in a day or two. Usually biopsy should be done within a week. You will not usually get u/s or biopsy on the same day as your mammogram, unless the mammogram was scheduled as a "diagnostic" and not just "routine". Otherwise, they will probably not read your mammogram while you are sitting there, the m.d. usually does it later in the day.

Answer 6

I don't know about any "Standard" but a caring doctor would not let you worry over the weekend. Sometimes it takes time to set up the appointment and the doctor doing the biopsy will be booked up but a few days to a week you shoujd hear back from your doctor, most cancers are slow growing and can handle a week or two for the biopsy. ... but I bet your nerves can't!

Answer 7

Don't know if there is a standard , mine was Mammo Wednesday, found something and did U/S and Monday I was there for the biopsy. 2 Weeks later I had a Lumpectomy.
The waiting was the worst thing in my life. I was hysterical.

Answer 8

keep pushing them... maybe they are waiting for the insurance to approve the test. Call your insurance and argue with them, and do what it takes. I was suppose to have radiation done six weeks after surgery. The insurance company pinned the doctor down, and one year later after getting a new doc, I finally got my radiation. Speedy care is crutial when dealing with cancer or possible cancer. Don't let them jack you around. Be firm, no one will suffer but you, and your family. Insurance companies, and doctors seem to not be very ethical when money is involved.

I was let down once, It won't happen again.

Answer 9

My doctor referred me to someone who didn't have an opening for nearly three weeks and I knew I go crazy if I waited that long so I started calling around until I found an appointment within the week.

Answer 10

It all depends. One day I had to get a mano the same day. The other times it took 2 weeks for My doctor to contact me