Introduction - my story

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I was recalled after a breast cancer screening where I was not expecting anything unusual. The biopsy diagnosis was solid papillary carcinoma and micropapillary DCIS. (Immunohistochemistry confirmed a clonal proliferation, diffusely ER positive, with surrounding myoepithelial cells in the areas of micropapillary DCIS, with rare myoepithelial cells in the area of solid papillary DCIS). I have had three lumpectomies, which all showed a margin of less than 1mm, and a mastectomy and a sentinel node biopsy (all on the same breast). Still waiting for results of the mastectomy & the one lymph node removed. The scans (mammograms & ultrasound done at the initial biopsy) have underestimated the extent of what is there. Micropapillary cancer is very rare. 

Has anyone else come across this and, if so, what type of scans were given? Also was there another cancer involved (papillary in my case). Rare myoepithelial cells were also mentioned.

I am interested in whether it was only the solid papillary carcinoma that showed up on the initial screening mammogram & the mammograms taken at the recall, or whether they could also see the micropapillary bit (even if they did not know that it was micropapillary at that stage). I would like them to compare these scans to what the end result shows after the mastectomy, but it looks as if they will not be doing that. I am worried that if I have/get micropapillary cancer in the other breast, or anywhere else in my body, that it will not show up on a mammogram/scans. It looks as if they would not do a mastectomy on the other breast unless they were sure that there was cancer there.

  • Hi there, I am sorry I don't personally have the experience to answer your question, but I did notice your post had dropped to the second page without a response yet, as the site is quite busy.  My answer will bump you up and I hope someone with the right experience will be along soon.

    You could also call the lovely folks at Macmillan on 0800 808 0000 and have a chat with them about this.  Best wishes 

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