path report

[pattsy]

Final Diagnosis:
A.  Lobular carcinoma in-situ
B.  Intraduct corcinoma of varying grade from low to high-grade comedo-type
C.  No definite invasive carcinoma identified (does this mean they are not 100% sure there is no invasive component)
D.  Tumor present in the mass-like lesion in the superior central region of the breast, int he lower inner quadrant, and in nipple ducts
E.  Paget's disease of nipple
F.  Resection margins free of tumor (see comment)

The deep surface is painted with silver nitrate.  The specimen is serially sectioned and on cut surface there is an ill-fefined area of firmness extending from the centre of the specimen towards to the superior aspect.  This measures 5.0 cm. in maximum extent grossly (superior to inferior)  This area has an area of hemorrhage, possible representing the previous core biopsy.  Representative sections are:
A1-A7 - contiguous sections through firm area from central A1 to superior A7 - please note that this is still located 9.0 cm frm the superior margin.  Sections A6 A7 and A1 each show relationship to deep margin.  This area of firmess is located 4.0 cm from the lateral margin but is clear of all other margins apart from the deep (what does this mean?)  

What does all this mean?

Thank you.

[pattsy]

Thank you for responding, so quickly.  But does it mean that I may not have clear margins.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear pattsy:  This means that in addition to the Paget's disease of the nipple, there are areas of lobular carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ (some of the areas of ductal carcinoma in situ were high grade).  There was no invasive cancer seen.  For the most part, the margins are clean.  There is some question in the comment about a "relationship to the deep margin."  I'm not certain how to interpret this.  You might ask your doctor to interpret this part as he/she may be better able to explain what the pathologist meant by this.