RARE Breast Cancer anyone heard of?

rachelirwin

So I had 2 tumours (one stage 1 and another stage 2 due to the size) - pathology results showed the following

• Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the breast
• medually like carcinoma.

They say that they are very rare type cancers to be found in breast tissue. They tiptoed around any of my weak questioning around this. I havent seen my oncologist yet. I am 4/5weeks from a bilateral masectomy with Sling mesh implant. Can anyone shed light on this for me.. these cancer types/ Thanks

Jelson

Here on BCO it is often advised to stay away from "Dr. Google", however, I think in this instance - maybe you should take a peek - if you search for Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the breast

, you will find several articles from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - to briefly summarize - there have been only 20 or so cases identified - so you definitely are special. This does seem to be a cancer that is found other places in the body, just not so much in the breast. The danger seems to be if the cancers are not identified early - but thankfully, yours have been identified and excised. the treatment seems to be similar for other, more common breast cancers. I guess questions to ask your medical oncologist are since this is so rare, should you get another opinion to make absolutely sure and it sounds like you are dealing with two different types of cancer? the LELC! and a medullary-like cancer?? so are these separate diagnoses definite AND then, what is the significance, if any, for further treatment. Sometimes it is more comfortable to be ordinary rather than special, but your prognosis might not be at all negatively impacted by the rarity of your particular type(s) of breast cancer. Hope you are healing well from your surgery.

cuddyclothes

Have you looked at the Rare Cancers board? I had papillary breast cancer, which is less than 1% of all BCs. Even the brand new shiny Breast Cancer book from Mt. Sinai didn't mention it! There's a thread there where I met other women with it.

There might be a thread there, or you can start a topic. Good luck!!

rachelirwin

thanks for your responses. I had dr googled and had noticed it was reported only 20 cases in the breast.

So I have the oncologist on Wednesday (Monday today - Ireland) I am trying to get a lot of questions gathered up for him.

I will check out the rare cancers board.

Many thanks