DCIS - Breast marker missed in initial surgery

Hello,
I was recently diagnosed with intermediate grade DCIS left breast presenting as a stellate lesion (1.4cm), apparently the usual presentation is calcifications. I had a wide local incision just before Christmas to have it removed. The surgery went well and I was very happy with the incision/surgery (done by a private breast cancer specialist). The scans I had before surgery were mammogram, ultrasound and an MRI. A breast marker was implanted at the time of the biopsy with Breast Screen.
I went back to see the specialist last week and the pathology was showing that there was no breast marker in the tissue removed and also no DCIS in the pathology sample. He sent me for another mammogram, that was very uncomfortable I must say on a breast that has just had surgery!
Long story short the recent mammogram showed that the breast marker and DCIS wasn't removed at surgery it had been missed, I'm booked in for the exact same procedure all over again this Thursday.
I'm so upset that I have to go through another general and have the surgery all over again, plus I've been a mess just waiting for the results the first time around. That's been the worst part of this whole journey so far. I've spoken to the specialist about my concerns but I'm not really satisfied with his explanation.
Also this is my second time dealing with cancer 23 years ago I went through surgery/chemotherapy and had to have an emergency hysterectomy. Going through this journey all over again is bringing up a lot of bad memories.
Has anyone else been in this situation? I'm just feeling so deflated atm.
I was recently diagnosed with intermediate grade DCIS left breast presenting as a stellate lesion (1.4cm), apparently the usual presentation is calcifications. I had a wide local incision just before Christmas to have it removed. The surgery went well and I was very happy with the incision/surgery (done by a private breast cancer specialist). The scans I had before surgery were mammogram, ultrasound and an MRI. A breast marker was implanted at the time of the biopsy with Breast Screen.
I went back to see the specialist last week and the pathology was showing that there was no breast marker in the tissue removed and also no DCIS in the pathology sample. He sent me for another mammogram, that was very uncomfortable I must say on a breast that has just had surgery!
Long story short the recent mammogram showed that the breast marker and DCIS wasn't removed at surgery it had been missed, I'm booked in for the exact same procedure all over again this Thursday.
I'm so upset that I have to go through another general and have the surgery all over again, plus I've been a mess just waiting for the results the first time around. That's been the worst part of this whole journey so far. I've spoken to the specialist about my concerns but I'm not really satisfied with his explanation.
Also this is my second time dealing with cancer 23 years ago I went through surgery/chemotherapy and had to have an emergency hysterectomy. Going through this journey all over again is bringing up a lot of bad memories.
Has anyone else been in this situation? I'm just feeling so deflated atm.
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I appreciate that the first thing you will want is to get the surgery successfully completed but I am wondering what your specialist said about what appears to be a major failure. How was the problem explained? I’d be pretty distressed too. Best wishes for Thursday.
I didn't want to ask to many questions as I really want it removed asap.
Thank you for your concern.
Thank you for your understanding, I don't get it either - I had all the correct scans and it was still missed! I thought that's why they put the marker to help the surgeon find the correct area of the breast. I could understand if he got the correct spot but the margins weren't clear and he needed to go in again but this is not the case with me.
I'm going to contact my GP tomorrow and have a chat with him. I have a good relationship with my GP and hopefully he will tell me straight out if he thinks I should find another surgeon.
Yes you are correct I am more than pissed off!! I've been in tears for days since getting the news. I'm so glad that I have some other people on my side, I was wondering if I was being over dramatic about it but now I don't think so.
Cheers
I have an appointment tomorrow with my GP let's see what happens.
Dear noosa_blue150
No I didn’t need to have the dye injection (sorry you did I’ve heard they aren’t that nice), I did ask at the initial consult if he would be using the fine wire to locate the lump and he said that he used other methods u/s. When he told me that I needed surgery again because the clip and lesion where missed I did ask again if he would this time be using the fine needle to locate and he said no it wasn’t necessary! Like OMG you missed it the first time! My DCIS is presenting as a 1cm mass so I don’t know why it was missed. Anyway I will be asking those questions tomorrow when I visit my GP.
I’m feeling that I should change surgeons but I’m already $2,500 out of pocket, he isn’t charging for anything for my scheduled surgery on Thursday but that’s not much consolation, two generals anesthetics in three weeks is not great.
Cheers
I’m so so sorry you have to go through this again. Not good enough.
Good luck at the GP tomorrow. I will be thinking of you this week.
Sending love and thoughts your way
Caz xx
ps I had a clip inserted too, and my surgeon had an ultrasound during the operation - did your surgeon even do that? What is the point of putting a clip in if you aren’t using it to guide you??!!
You poor, poor thing. Believe me, you are so not alone in thinking this is wrong, and if anything you are being under dramatic. I would also ask for a refund, and immediately seek a second opinion. This is just not good enough. And you’re right, because of him now you need to be exposed to GA again so soon. Not fair and not ok!!! You paid for a service, didn’t get it, didn’t get a proper explanation in writing as to why you didn’t get it...I’d be suing this guy.
When you see your GP today, ask for a copy of all documents from your surgeon to the GP. This will include the surgeon's letters documenting your pre-op and post-op appointments. Likewise contact your surgeon's office and request a copy of your full record including your signed consent forms. Understandably the records from your surgeon will include some duplicates of documents you obtain from your GP.
Very importantly, you must get a copy of your Operation Report. This is the surgeon's description of the operation. It will be in your surgeon's records and he will have lodged a copy with the hospital. If your GP did not receive a copy and it is not included with your surgeon's documents, it can be obtained from your hospital. You have the right to receive this document.
Your surgeon's post-op explanations are fanciful and his abject failure and the impact on you is a travesty. My opinion is if you do not return to him, you should not be be out-of-pocket for his failed operation and he should issue a refund. You paid $2,500 for, literally, nothing.