Can surgeon tell if a tumor is cancerous during excision?

jesnort5 · April 2019

My nipple began to flatten and change about 10 months ago. The doctor found a 2cm lump just below the nipple and sent me for an ultrasound. I also have been dealing with a bit of bloody discharge (occasional drops in my bra). The radiologist said he wasn't overly concerned because of my age (30) but the changing nipple gave him pause. We skipped needle biopsy and I had an excision biopsy today.

After the surgery, the doctor literally talked to my husband for about 20 seconds and said, “surgery went well, we removed the mass and found the duct causing the bleeding. You'll get results in 3-5 days." He didn't stick around for questions and hurried off. Would he have told us if he thought it was cancer? Can a surgeon tell just by looking at the tumor?

What benign conditions have a flattening/retracting nipple, lump and discharge? I am anxious with all the waiting, but also wonder if I shouldn't be concerned after my doctor acted like everything went well. Would love some insight!

Rah2464 · April 2019

I would think most surgeons are not going to give a final diagnosis until the testing is completed. Even though it means more anxious waiting time for you how horrible would it be for someone to tell you one thing, then reverse it two days later (unless it was good news at the end of course)? I would imagine there are some tumors that are obviously malignant upon removal, but even in that instance, your surgeon is wanting to have additional information that is important such as confirmation that margins are clear.

I hope you get good news in a few days. Sorry you are having to go through all this.

MelissaDallas · April 2019

No, it is determined at the microscopic level-not the naked eye. If surgeons could see it you wouldn’t have re-excision surgeries.

edwards750 · April 2019

I wouldn’t read too much into your doctor’s hasty departure either. He absolutely should wait to DX your condition until all the tests are completed. We know you are scared and the waiting is brutal but it’s better in the long run.

I had a mammogram and the tech - not the doctor - told me I was fine and could get dressed only to be told by the radiologist a few minutes later that I had BC. That was wrong on several fronts. Not my DX unfortunately but the tech saying anything. False sense of optimism to be sure.

So as much as I know you want to know now you will know soon enough. I used to try and read my doctor’s face but he kept his game face on most of the time.

Keep the faith and keep us posted.

Diane

Can surgeon tell if a tumor is cancerous during excision?

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