Hello and thanks for posting

This is a rare type of papillary breast cancer showing under the microscope, specific cells called tall cells. Some papillary breast cancers do present as pre cancerous, but it isn't unusual for a papillary cancer to be invasive. Mammary just refers to the breast, as papillary cancers can occur in the thyroid, so it sounds like they are just distinguishing it by saying it's a breast (mammary) cancer not thyroid.

It's usually seen as being more slow growing than others and you mention that it is a stage 1 breast cancer. This means that it's still small - there's more here  https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/stages-types-grades/about-breast-cancer-staging-grades   about the stages of breast cancer. 

It's normal to remove 1-3 nodes from the armpit initially, to have a look at them to see if there are any cancer cells there - the stage can change if they are present, though it's not classed as late stage and remains very treatable.

Do give us a ring if you would like to go over any of this with one of the nurses here on the helpline - the number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

More is usually known after surgery and all the reports are back. I can appreciate that it's a stressful time waiting for things to move on with treatment and I hope your mum has a good recovery.

There's also more general information to read here about breast cancer on our website https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer 

All the best to you and your mum

Wanda

Hi Wanda 

thank you so much for your time and giving me this information it is very kind. Ok so because it's mammary it doesn't mean it's in the mammary chain nodes that's what I wasn't able to work out. They said they haven't seen this type before have you heard of tall cell breast cancer? Is grade 2 still slow growing? Mum waited 6 weeks for the results and now because it's invasive they want to operate on the lymph nodes so we are waiting for this then again for the results it's all very scary everyday I think about this I am so worried. They said no to chemotherapy but will they change their minds again? It feels like it's happening a lot since the start. Mums cancer was low down in the left breast but more in lower left inside. If it had spread and come from somewhere else would they know this by now? I'm sorry for all the questions I'm searching for some idea even though I know things change xxxx

Hello and thanks for getting back to us again,

I can understand how unsettling it is to wait for results to come in not knowing what to expect. 

Tall cell breast cancer is a rare type of cancer but the name refers to the shape of the cells. Because it is so rare a lot of pathologists will not have seen this type of cancer but this does not mean that it is going to be more aggressive or difficult to treat as this is often not the case. It is called Tall Cell breast cancer because that is what the cells look like when they are seen under the microscope.

Stage 2 is still an early breast cancer. The stage describes the size of the cancer. It is quite normal for the doctors to check the lymph nodes for cancer. I can't say whether the cancer is spread else where but because it appears to be an early cancer there is a good chance that it won't have spread. The doctors will know more when they have had a chance to look at the lymph nodes.

The doctors are waiting to get all the information together before they make a decision about her next steps. It is really only her doctors who can tell you more. Once they have got all the results, all her team will discuss her case.  I can't say whether they will then suggest chemotherapy.  

I can understand how hard it is waiting but it is so important that the doctors have all the information they need before making any decisions so the best possible treatment is offered to your mum.

Even though I have tried to answer your questions her doctors are the best people to go through and discuss the results with your mum as they are involved in her care.

If you or your mum at any stage want to ring the nurses on the helpline you are more then welcome to do so.

Take one stage at a time until you know more.  If you want to ring us the number to call  is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

All the very best,

Catherine

Hi Wanda 

thank you for your help with this. I am so scared and need your help. My mum had the Sential nodes removed Monday but the consultant has since ordered a neck ultrasound to check mums neck and thyroid. I am so worried he thinks it's cancer. I know mums breast cancer is a rare tall cell invasive mammary breath cancer which I mentioned before but they said it hasn't come from anywhere else. Are they sure how do they know it if did come from thyroid? Or would state 1 grade 2 breast cancer have spread to the thyroid ?? I'm so scared and confused all the time please help I can't understand how it all works. 
thank you xxxx

Hello and thanks for getting back in touch with the nurses

I am sorry to hear about your mum and appreciate this must be a very difficult and scary time for you and all the family.

Unfortunately no one here or anyone else at the moment can say what the ultrasound will show but it seems the doctors are wanting to check this out just to be thorough.

The type of cancer your mum has would have been identified through the biopsy sample being examined under the microscope in the lab. The sample of cells will show up the cells where the cancer started so in your mums case the breast. When cancer does spread it often first goes to the nearby lymph nodes but then can travel to other parts of the body and it is possible for cancer cells to travel to areas in the neck but try not to over think things until you know more.

Once the results are in and the doctors have the full picture I am sure they will talk it through with your mum and the rest of the family and what may need to happen next.

I understand the waiting and not knowing can be unsettling so try and keep yourself busy and your mind on other thing to help pass the time.

Best wishes

Naomi