atypical cells

[ANNETTE200]

I have just finished 30 rads following the removal of a 8mm grade 2 invasive breast cancer. "Back in March 08 when they found my breast cancer they noted I had an 1.6mm ovoid mass at 12O'Clock. In the course of investating other lumps in the axailla they refound the mass in my breast. So I now had a FNB and its come back needing more sample because they found atypical cell. Both the radioation oncologist and the doctor who did the bisopsy thought all would come back fine. The radiation oncologist said the radiation would have reduced the size if it was cancer. What do you think? could the radiation have caused the cells to have changed already we are talking two weeks post rads. Could this be a missed cancer?

[ANNETTE200]

As you can imagine three days after finishing rads to find another lump and then another I have become very stressed.  I saw my surgeon on Monday and next Tuesday I am having a surgical biopsy hopefully there is no cancer just a B9 breast condition.  Is it true that a FNB can cause atypical cells?

If it is a 1.6cm (this is two lumps totally 1.6) is this still considered a treatable early breast  cancer? I think my surgeon said she would do an axillary clearance if I have to have more surgery because its cancer. How likely is the cancer to have spread to the glands at this size.
sorry about the questions I hope I am getting ahead of myself. Cancer certainly does bring out ones fears.
annette

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

It's true that if this were another or a missed cancer, it would have already shrunk or disappeared with the radiation treatment.  It is highly unlikely that this is a new cancer considering that the radiation ended 2 weeks ago.  Radiation still would have a beneficial effect for up to 6 weeks after the last day of radiation so this is unlikely a new cancer.

I believe that this is still a benign condition, however it is safer to have the biopsy done using larger samples to ascertain the nature of this mass.

Regards and God bless.