pathology report--what does it mean??

[breastpain1]

Had an excisional biopsy on a painful palpable mass that never showed up on an ultrasound or a digital diagnostic mammogram.  (we waited three months to see if it went away and it didn't)  During biopsy i heard the doctor say it just looked like fibrous tissue, but when he came in recovery he said that there was an area that he thought was "what we felt" but he didn't think it was a fibroadenoma since it wasn't encapsulated, but maybe it was fibrocystic changes.   But he told me not to worry (well, he said "minimally" when I asked him how much I should worry) and that he would call me in a few days. Well, today he called and said that "they think it might be a cancer" but have to do more tests --something about a staining--as they don't know what it is.  He then said that is is more worrisome than he orginally thought.  When I asked him what we did next, he said "well nothing until we know what it is."  Does anyone have any experience with this?  I can't decide if he was trying to prepare me to expect cancer or if it is too early to tell...are there so many types of cancers that a pathologist wouldn't know one if he saw one?  Help.  I am scared but need information!  I am supposed to get the call tomorrow.  What can anyone tell me about this staining...do they ONLY do it with malignant biopsies?

[breastpain1]

Thank you for your questions to ask. I have now learned that I have ADENOID CYSTIC CARCINOMA of the BREAST, which is about as rare as it gets.    I am seeing an oncologist tomorrow and a breast surgeon next week.  All I have read it that this is a pretty non-aggressive cancer to have--but that a mastectomy is likely. Any feedback would be great

[CockerLover]

Also ask what additional staining was done--ALCAM

[CockerLover]

I would ask the following questions, and request that a copy of the pathology report be sent to you:

Are the cells considered ductal cells in situ or infiltrating and if both, what percentage of each?

a. do we know if the cells were poorly differentiated, well differentiated or moderately differentiated?  

b. do we know what the miotic rate is?  

c. do we know if any necrotic cells were found?

d. do we know the nuclear grade, or any Nottingham or Bloom Richardson scale?  

e. do we know if the flow cytometry is diploid or aneuploid?

f.  do we know if the cells are estrogen/progesterone receptive + or -?  Or is this why the additional staiing is necesarry.

If not, a what point would be have this information?

Will an MRI provide additional diagnostic information?

Are there plans to do a sentinal node biopsy?  If so, when?