Topic: tubular carcinoma

Jul 23, 2015 08:59PM Nana2PandS wrote:

Has anyone had another cancer develop in the other breast after having tubular breast cancer?

I had surgery in May, 2014 for tubular cancer, right breast, 3 mm, no nodes involved, lumpectomy followed by advanced partial breast radiation and am currently on Anastrozole for 5 years.

Yesterday I went for my six month mammogram and on my left breast there was a small 4mm lesion which was biopsied with ultrasound guidance. The radiologist said it looked suspicious and with my history, he advised the biopsy. Currently waiting for results. Has anyone experienced this? I did read where, although, tubular breast cancer is one of the least aggressive, it may develop on the other breast.

Aug 2, 2015 10:01PM 614 wrote:

Dear Nana:

Yes.

I went/am going through something similar to you.  I developed 2 suspicious areas 7 months after my radiation treatment in the same breast as my malignancies - discovered at my first follow up MRI after treatment.  (The mammogram and ultrasound did not detect anything.)  However, I have extremely dense breast with lots of lumps and bumps.

I was diagnosed last June 2014 (similar time table as you) with pleomorphic ILC and with pleomorphic LCIS in one lump of 1.9cm.  I also had another lump that was 7.5cm but that lump was biopsied and found to be benign in June 2014. It had also previously been biopsied years ago and found to be benign then as well.  I had both lumps removed (same breast) at the time of my surgery in July 2014.  The pathology report from my surgery stated that the large lump was actually tubular carcinoma and extensive pleomorphic LCIS, as well as having many benign findings. The area of tubular carcinoma was 4mm.  I had whole breast radiation and I am taking anastrazole.  I had my ovaries removed to medically induce menopause so that I could take the anastrazole. I was not able to metabolize tamoxifen. Luckily, I did not need to have chemotherapy.

In May 2015 (my first tests/images after bc diagnosis and treatment), my MRI showed 2 suspicious areas in the same breast that was radiated and had the malignancies.  I had an MRI guided biopsy on one suspicious lump and it was found to be benign - with 7 benign findings.  I have "busy breasts".  The other suspicious area is a "1.5 cm linear non-mass enhancement with rapid washin washout kinetics - bi-rad 4b."  I am waiting and watching this area for 6 months.  My next mammogram, sonogram, and MRI is scheduled for November 2015.  

I am sorry but I do not know any statistics regarding tubular carcinoma. 

I was shocked  that I had suspicious areas so soon after treatment too. 

The only thing that I know is that most lumps (80%) are benign.

I hope that you get your results back quickly and that the pathology report show a benign finding.  I hope that your doctor will answer your questions so that your mind can be put at ease.  The waiting, wondering, and not knowing is the worst.  Do you have any idea when you will find out the results of your biopsy?  GOOD LUCK! I will be thinking about you and saying a prayer for you.  Please let us know the results.  I wish you the best.

Sep 5, 2015 12:41AM 614 wrote:

Dear Nana:

Sorry about the time that it has taken for me to respond to you as well.  I am so glad that you had benign findings.  Yay!  Yes, the 6 months of surveillance while comforting to be watched so closely, is very stressful because it is scary to know that something could be there.

Good luck,

Sep 21, 2015 05:36PM katcar0001 wrote:

Well, duh, I answered my own question (from the bc.org site). I guess the tumor would have been considered "mixed tubular."

When a pathologist examines the tumor samples under a microscope, he or she looks for the tube-shaped structures that give tubular carcinoma its name. Experts generally agree that more than 90% of the tumor must have this characteristic appearance in order to be called "pure" tubular carcinoma. If it doesn't, then it is diagnosed as a "mixed" tubular carcinoma. The more "tubular" it is, the less likely it is to spread and the easier it should be to treat.

Jan 14, 2016 03:10PM - edited Jan 14, 2016 03:11PM by ChiSandy

Even though PR- tumors are thought to be more aggressive than PR+, the fact that it's tubular may tilt towards skipping chemo. The fact it's tubular may also mean that Oncotype DX testing may not be needed--it's usually not done if all other factors indicate chemo is unnecessary

Jan 22, 2016 12:42PM BookWoman wrote:

I had pure tubular and I did do radiation; I had 15 plus 5 boosts. I am also on Letrozole--it doesn't replace hormones, it blocks estrogen. Prior to having the tubular cancer, I also had DCIS in the other breast, so the Letrozole is because of both--not sure if I would be taking it for only the tubular.

Jan 23, 2016 01:28PM Brightsocks wrote:

I won't have any news on treatment for about another 4 weeks. As well there is not a ton on the web. I am up for all levels of treatment just want to understand more about howothers have been treated.

Feb 11, 2016 06:17PM - edited Feb 11, 2016 06:21PM by voraciousreader

sorry to hear you are joining us....that less than 10% in situ which means that along with the tubular invasive cancer, there is a little NON-invasive component to the tumor. Register at the NCCN's website and read the section on tubular and mucinous breast cancer treatment guidelines. The good news is that you have a small, "favorable" type of breast cancer that is very treatable. Once you have your final surgical pathology report, you and your team will then come up with a plan that will be right for you! Good luck!

Feb 11, 2016 07:12PM isee wrote:

Hi Kaneli,

I also had an invasive Tubular Carcinoma. We are actually fortunate to have a BC with such a positive prognosis. I'm sure you know this type is not likely to metastasis. I had two surgeries to remove the cancerous area....not a lump in my case...as I believe Tubular is not. They called the first surgery a lumpectomy and the second a partial mastectomy, done because they didn't have clear margins from the first surgery. I was very fortunate that things still look pretty normal other than being a bit smaller. Mine was located under my arm....about 6 inches from my underarm. I was given the option of radiation...which I took. I had 16 treatments. I was also offered tamoxifen but refused it as it was only going to give me a 1% risk reduction...or something like that. It is my 5th anniversary since my diagnosis in a few days! I was tested for the BRCA mutations because of my family history and was positive for BRCA2....so I receive high risk surveillance here in Canada.
Sorry you are joining us, but this site has tons of great information and support...Keep us posted as to your treatment decisions and progress. :)

Feb 11, 2016 07:33PM voraciousreader wrote:

isee! Congrats on celebrating 5 years NED!!!😘

Feb 11, 2016 09:08PM - edited Feb 12, 2016 01:25AM by Kaneli

Yes, Isee, congratulations on 5 years! Voraciousreader and Labelle, thank you for your positive and encouraging words and for such quick responses to my post from a few hours earlier. I will keep checking on this great forum for answers and encouragement! My MRI is tomorrow morn, but I doubt I will have any info immediately after that but....Thank you all! It's nice to not feel so alone :)

Feb 13, 2016 06:15PM - edited Feb 13, 2016 06:16PM by Kaneli

Thanks Brightsocks! My MRI results came back this morning. The tumor appears to be "unilateral and unifocal' so that's good. It did mention a "slight asymmetry in size of a left axillary lymph node" (The same side as the tumor.) It went on to say it is "not a definitely abnormal lymph node" which kind of sounds like a double negative to me, so, I guess we'll have to see what the surgeon says. Maybe they'll want to take that lymph node when they do the lumpectomy. Anyway, I was happy they found nothing else. How did you do with the lumpectomy? Please keep me posted, since it seems like I'm right behind you on this. :/ Does anybody have experience with them taking the lymph node, or whatever it is that they do? Does that cause any unwanted side effects, of does it involve special risks? Thanks everyone....One week ago I was just a person who had 2 normal breasts....still getting my mind around this. BTW, what is a "Boost?"

Feb 15, 2016 04:19PM Kaneli wrote:

Has anyone gotten a 2nd opinion after their diagnosis of Tubular Carcinoma? If so, was it after the biopsy and MRI, but before surgery? I'm just wondering since it's a less common type of Breast cancer. I would imagine that after a biopsy, it either is cancer or is not....do I need someone else to look at those results?

Feb 23, 2016 09:12PM Kaneli wrote:

Hi Sunny, It was found on my 3D annual mammography. No lump, no symptoms.. The 3 D is a pretty new type of mammo, and my "lesion" is really small.....smaller than 1 cm. I don't know if they would have seen it with a traditional digital mammo. When they called me in for a 2nd mammo with "possible ultrasound', they did the ultrasound and right then and there they told me I needed a biopsy. 2 days later they told me it was Tubular Carcinoma. This was told to me on Wed, Feb 10, so I'm still reeling from it, and trying to research as much as I can. I have my first appointment with a (general) surgeon this Friday morning, and a 2nd opinion with a Breast surgeon who specializes in oncology on Monday. I know it's a small tumor, and that the prognosis appears to be very good, but, I am trying to be as thorough as possible. There's not a lot of info out there about Tubular Carcinoma. They say it's invasive, but slow....all of these seeming contradictions. Anyway, you can see I am frustrated, but I am happy to tell you what I learn after my surgeon appointments.

Feb 24, 2016 12:10PM BookWoman wrote:

Mine was seen on mammogram and ultrasound, but when they did ultrasound guided biopsy nothing was found, so they said it was discordant results (mammo and ultrasound did not match biopsy). They gave me three choices--wait 6 months, do the ultrasound guided biopsy again, or do an excisional biopsy. I chose the excisional, they got good margins so I didn't need any other lumpectomy although I did need to have a sentinal node biopsy. I had radiation and am now taking letrozole (I did have DCIS in other breast 2 years prior.)