missed cancer cells

[bindurr]

hello,
     is it possible that cancer cells can be missed by a pathologist when a segmental excision breast biopsy is done? If that happens what will happen next?will it metastasis in other organs or the other breast?what are the early symptoms if that happens?please give an answer.
regards

[bindurr]

hello,
    thanks for your reply.i was getting  worried when another hypoechoic area (two 1mm size)appeared in my right  breast after segmental excision of left breast(biopsy result showing lobular and ductal hyperplasia) 8 month ago.My surgeon suggested another surgery.But i did go for second opinion and the oncologist suggested no surgery or FNAC but ultrtsound after 3 months.Since i am feeling pain in the armpit and neck area i was a bit nervous about omitting surgery.When i read stories about missed  cancer  i was imagining these kind of things!!.Sorry for my over the board thoughts..
regards

[japdip]

I don't think this would be very likely, especially since the biopsy was surgical. Some cells could possibly be missed IF they were not included in the specimen such as with a FNA biopsy. All segments of the specimen are examined under the microscope and missing cancerous cells just doesn't happen under these circumstances. If the body contains cancer cells then they just continue to grow and might well spread to other organs just as undiscovered cancer would. Since we are talking about the breast, the symptoms would be the evidence of a lump which would be investigated and eventually biopsied. This is the reason for monthly exams + yearly exams by your Dr. and any testing that might be appropriate.    Regards ....