No cancer found in lumpectomy tissue?

grtgrly @grtgrly

I have an acquaintance that had the same thing happen, no cancer in lumpectomy after positive biopsy. Surgeon also suggested the biopsy removed all cancer.

You mentioned reconstruction surgery next week. Are you having a mastectomy?

Laurie

A sonogram done just before my biopsy measured a 7mm mass. Biopsy was performed and diagnosis was stage 1 IDC. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy and at the post op appointment the surgeon said the mass they removed was much smaller than 7mm. He suspected that the hollow needle biopsy sucked out a portion of the original mass.

Several years ago I had a biopsy that identified DCIS. I had. Lumpectomy performed and there was not any cancer in the tissue. The biopsy removed the cancer cells. I saw a radiologist and he recommended radiation 5 days a week for 7 weeks (note this was several years ago). I said ‘theoretically’ I don’t have any cancer and he just said ‘that’s the protocol’. I got a second opinion and he said that there was not a need for radiation. I didn’t have radiation, but did take Tamoxifen for 2.5 yrs. All good for 18 yrs. 🙏🏼.

I would take all my testing and reports to a 2nd opinion from a oncologist in a different practice from the one you have now. Biopsies cannot remove all the cancer. Whole thing is very questionable. Have you had ultra sounds and mris and a mammogram that at show the original cancer location and size? You must have biopsy reports, mammo reports, mri reports. Be your own advocate

I agree with kstar.

Generally, insurance pays for a second opinion. (It’s to their benefit to get the right diagnosis, so they pay).
The Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and MD Anderson all do second opinions. I checked all their sites. I’m sure Sloan Kettering does it, too. It may take 3 days to 2 weeks. That probably depends on what they need to look at (real biopsy tissue, or images - they priority special mail biopsies between facilities) MD Anderson says it’s a basic $272 for a review of pathology. You would need to discuss with any of them whether they need to do their own biopsy, or can view what has already been done.
I switched from a local Baylor Scott & White hospital to MD Anderson (not because BSW couldn’t do a good job, but I live near enough to MDA, so it was a nobrainer choice).
I contacted MD Anderson on their website where it said “do you want to be a patient?” It felt weird to do this, but I didn’t have any other resource contacts. They immediately jumped on board, ordered all my old mammograms, reviewed the biopsy report (from BSW) and within a week I was scheduled to start down the BC road.
I’m sure all the major comprehensive cancer centers do similar procedures. It’s amazing how easy it was for me - they knew what info and reports they needed, and it was done. They actually viewed the full BSW pathology report before I did because they were part of the “share everywhere” medical records, and I approved them to access mine.
Best of wishes! If you need a friend to “stand” beside you - you’ve got one! And many more on this site!

You are right to be cautious. 4 cm seems pretty big. I can not imagine that being taken out by the biopsy process; 4 mm, maybe. You need a second opinion or a biopsy at another facility. In answer to your question, have I heard of this happening: only if chemo was used in advance of the surgery. I had a 1 cm tumor that was hit with chemo and I was clear before my lumpectomy. I still had radiation and arimidex. I was treated by great doctors at MD Anderson. I have been clear for 8 years now.

@maryanna7 congratulations on 8 years clear. Blessings

In case my earlier post was not clear, I did have the lumpectomy and they also took out 7 lymph nodes. In my case, the lumpectomy was a comprehensive biopsy. But not the end of the treatment journey.

@maryanne7 what is your follow up treatment?