tumor smaller than biospy stated

[butterflyfuller]

I was told that I had one three centimeter tubular cancer and another smaller cancer in the same breast. Breast conservattion was not advised. After my mastectomy was completed the final biopsy showed only one very small tumor. It was tubular. Now I am facing  microsurgical flap.. reconstruction. My sugeon explained to me that one tumor was completly removed during the needle biopsy. It is posssible they biopsied the same spot twice? IF I  originally had two tumor, how can one explain only finding one when the breast was removed?  I can not get this off my mind. I was not told I had tubular breast cancer until after the mastectomy. I was told invasive ductal. Do I have reason to question what happened. I know whats done is doen. My insurance does not pay very well and I am not able to afford the reconstruction sugury that I need. I am starting over after a thirty year marriage ended. Finances and relationships are strained to say the least. Thank You


This discussion is related to TUBULAR BREAST CANCER? WHAT IS IT?.

[butterflyfuller]

Needle biopsys were done on both tumors as well as mammograms, ultrsounds, and MRI. I would like for my surgeon to sit down and discuss it with me, but another two hundred dollar consultation seems a lot. Prior to the surgury she prompty answered my emails.... always within twenty four hours.  She woudl not discuss anything after the final biopsy without another appointment.  At the followup appointmtnet, she hurried out of the room when I asked about the biopsy report... saying .. oh they got all of at the biopsy. I appreciate  what she did for me and I am paying her every month as scheduled.  I want to be reassured by her or somebody that the mastectomy was the right surgury and the biopsys were done correctly.  I am worng to want to know this? I am a registered nurse. I would like to be able to find some more information about tubular cancers. Info seems limited on the internet. Thanks

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Tubular breast cancer is a variant of invasive ductal cancer, but carries  a better course and prognosis than the usual invasive ductal cancer.  You cannot, or it is very hard to diagnose a tubular cancer based on the biopsy alone, and it will really take a large specimen (such that acquired after a mastectomy or lumpectomy) for a pathologist to confidently diagnose a tubular cancer.

It is also very hard to tell where the other tumor went.  It might have been removed by the biopsy indeed, or there may really have been only one tumor to start with (especially if the tumors are just demonstrated through mammogram or ultrasound which can have margins of error).

Regards.