When a mass is removed from the body and sent to a pathologist does the patient have to be told by the dr even if it's benign?

I’ve had biopsys before and they told me over the phone it was benign. This sounds serious.

Is the same doctor who told you over the phone that your biopsies were benign the one who is telling you to come in? If it’s a different doctor, he may have a different process.

It’s a different doctor. But this is cruel why can’t they just tell me it’s benign if it’s benign ! I’m 24 years old and salivary gland tumors r so rare. I can’t believe this is happenig I never get a break.

Okay, try to calm down, honey. That just may be his standard procedure. Go in there with a positive attitude. Many doctors talk to you with either outcome. Don’t panic until you need to. Let us know the outcome.

jbfletcherfan is right. since it’s a different doctor, he has a different way of doing things. Your biopsy may very well be benign, but he may have other information regarding prevention or he wants to do a post-surgical check on you.

FWIW, I had a breast biopsy done several years ago and the doctor would not discuss it over the phone. The mass was benign. He wanted to make sure that I understood that I have fibrocystic breasts and what that would mean for my future mammograms.

I do hope that everything is going to be okay. Try to not panic or stay too upset. I know, I know, eaasier said than done. Distract yourself as best you can until your appointment. And let us know the outcome.

When my breast biopsy turned out to be cancerous, the Dr. told me over the phone in order to expedite what was coming next. I would have been shocked and unhappy under any circumstances, but had the lumpectomy shortly thereafter, which turned out to be a very good idea.

The waiting is by far the worst part. I know it is hard, but please try to wait until you get there and hear what the doctor has to say. Don’t assume the worst. You need information, good solid information.

You might ask them to call you if they have an earlier cancellation. I will keep you in my thoughts.

Deep breaths. Please let us know what the doctor says.

I had an appointment in person to find out my results. I was told it had to be in person as well. Yes, it sucked but it’s just how some doctors operate. Maybe he wants to make sure you clearly understand.

Listen! The opposite of “benign” is NOT cancer. He, most likely, needs to explain to you what the findings are, if there are any risks with the findings, how you can change the findings… And if he needs his graphics in his office, you HAVE to go in to see them. He may want you to repeat the test because the sample was too small. Anything!

No matter what, make sure you tell the doctor how waiting made you feel. You are the customer, in charge of your own body. He is not god and does not have the right to wirhold information you paid for. (sometimes this is just control freak office staff trying to squeeze out another office fee. ) the doctor absoluitely needs to know the anxiety it caused.

He took out the stone so tree is def no repeat testing there is nothing else to take out. Is this a normal procedure to go in if it’s benign?

@missjena Yes, it could be. Like other posts here, that just may be his normal procedure.

@missjena Yes, this is absolutely a normal procedure if it’s benign. Quagmire gave you even more good reasons why he may need to see you.

@missjena I am sorry for what seems like a huge number of medical problems you have faced, given your age.

But what does this mean? ”... so tree is def no repeat testing.”

@gailcalled I think she means “so there is definitely no repeat testing”

Since there has been a recent report of “telephone doctoring” in the news lately, he might have changed his procedure. In our newspaper, there is a big flap going on because people were revealing information over the phone with out the permission of the patient, and even worse, diagnosing over the phone with their patients. It has resulted in very high profile news headlines.

Thank you all for your support. I really appreciate your answers. Here’s the update: it was a salivary stone. This he told me last week. Idk why he had me come in today… I honestly think it’s because he makes Money that way.

@missjena Thanks for the update.

@missjena, I honestly think you are RIGHT!!!

@missjena Great news!

@missjena – I’m glad to hear that you’re okay.

@missjena Hooray for you! Such good news. :-)