--- title: Tubular breast cancer url: https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/types-of-breast-cancer/tubular-breast-cancer updated: 2024-05-28T07:28:45Z --- [Back to Types of breast cancer](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/types-of-breast-cancer) 1. [Home](https://breastcancernow.org/) 2. [About breast cancer](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer) 3. [Diagnosis](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis) 4. [Types of breast cancer](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/types-of-breast-cancer) Healthcare Information # Tubular breast cancer Learn about tubular breast, including what it is, how it’s diagnosed and how it may be treated. ## Speak to a nurse If you have any concerns about breast cancer, or just want to talk, our specialist nurses are here for you [0808 800 6000](tel:0808%20800%206000) We are open weekdays 9am to 4pm. Saturday 9am to 1pm ## In this section - 1. What is tubular breast cancer? - 2. Symptoms of tubular breast cancer - 3. Diagnosis - 4. Treatment - 5. Follow-up - 6. Further support ## 1. What is tubular breast cancer? Tubular breast cancer is a rare type of invasive breast cancer. Invasive means cancer cells have the potential to spread to other parts of the body. However, tubular breast cancer is less likely to spread than other types of invasive breast cancer. Tubular breast cancer most often affects women over 50, although you can get it at any age. It’s very rare in men. It’s often found alongside other types of breast cancer. ### **Outlook (prognosis)** Tubular breast cancer usually has a very good [outlook (prognosis)](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/primary-breast-cancer-prognosis "Primary breast cancer prognosis") following treatment. This is because the cells are nearly always [low grade](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/breast-cancer-grade "Cancer grade") and slower growing. The outlook is particularly good if the cancer is “pure” tubular. This means it’s not mixed with other types of breast cancer. Close Glossary term ## invasive Cancer that has the potential to spread to other parts of the body. ## 2. Symptoms of tubular breast cancer As with most types of breast cancer, the symptoms of tubular breast cancer can include: - A lump or swelling in the breast - A change in the size of the breast - Changes to the nipple - Puckering or dimpling of the skin [Breast screening](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-scans/breast-screening "Breast screening") can pick up cancer before there are any symptoms. You may have been diagnosed with tubular breast cancer after attending breast screening without having any of the symptoms described above. Find out more about the [signs and symptoms of breast cancer](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/awareness/signs-and-symptoms-of-breast-cancer "Signs and symptoms of breast cancer") and how to check your breasts. ## 3. Diagnosis Tubular breast cancer is diagnosed using a [range of tests](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-scans "Screening, tests and scans"). These may include: - A mammogram - An ultrasound scan - A core biopsy of the breast and sometimes lymph nodes - A fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the breast and sometimes lymph nodes Close Glossary term ## Core biopsy A core biopsy uses a needle to take samples of breast tissue and is done with local anaesthetic. The samples are sent to a laboratory to be looked at under a microscope. Close Glossary term ## Fine needle aspiration (FNA) Using a fine needle and syringe to take a sample of cells to be looked at under a microscope. Close Glossary term ## Mammogram A breast x-ray. Close Glossary term ## Ultrasound scan A scan that uses high frequency sound waves to produce an image. ## 4. Treatment Healthcare Information ### [Surgery for primary breast cancer](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-primary-breast-cancer) Find out about the different types of surgery for primary breast cancer, including breast-conserving surgery or lumpectomy, mastectomy and breast reconstruction. The treatments you’re offered will depend on the features of the tubular breast cancer (such as [size](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/breast-cancer-stages "Breast cancer stages"), [grade](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/breast-cancer-grade "Cancer grade"), [hormone receptor status](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/hormone-receptors-and-breast-cancer "Hormone receptors and breast cancer") and [HER2 status](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/her2 "HER2")). Treatment aims to remove the cancer and reduce the risk of it coming back or spreading to other parts of the body. ### **Surgery** If you have tubular breast cancer, [surgery](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-primary-breast-cancer "Surgery for primary breast cancer") is likely to be the first treatment you’re offered. There are 2 main types of breast surgery: - Breast-conserving surgery - Mastectomy The type of surgery you’re recommended will depend on: - The area of the breast affected - The size of the cancer relative to the size of your breast - Whether more than 1 area in the breast is affected Your breast surgeon will discuss your surgery with you. If you have breast-conserving surgery, it’s important the cancer is removed with a border (margin) of healthy breast tissue around it. This is to reduce the risk of any cancer cells being left behind. If there are cancer cells at the margin, you may need further surgery to remove more tissue, which may be a mastectomy. #### **Breast reconstruction** Most women who have a mastectomy will have the option to have [breast reconstruction](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-primary-breast-cancer/breast-reconstruction "Breast reconstruction"). This can be done at the same time as your mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or months or years later (delayed reconstruction). Many women who have a mastectomy without breast reconstruction choose to wear a prosthesis – an artificial breast form that fits inside the bra. Find out more about [breast prostheses](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/life-after-treatment/your-body-after-breast-cancer-treatment/breast-prosthesis "Breast prosthesis"), [bras](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/life-after-treatment/bras-after-surgery-for-breast-cancer "Bras after surgery for breast cancer") and [clothes](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/life-after-treatment/clothing-and-swimwear "Clothing and swimwear") after surgery. Some women choose not to have reconstruction and not to wear a prosthesis after their mastectomy. #### **Surgery to the lymph nodes under the arm** Tubular breast cancer is less likely to spread to the lymph nodes under the arm than most other types of breast cancer. However, your treatment team will want to check if your lymph nodes have been affected. This, along with other information about your breast cancer, will help them decide whether you’ll benefit from any other treatment after surgery. You can find out more about surgery to the lymph nodes on our [surgery page](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-primary-breast-cancer "Surgery for primary breast cancer"). Close Glossary term ## Breast-conserving surgery The removal of the cancer with a border (margin) of normal breast tissue around it. Also called wide local excision or lumpectomy. Close Glossary term ## Mastectomy This is a type of surgery in which all of the breast tissue is removed, including the nipple. ### **Other treatments** After surgery, you will usually need other treatments. These can include: - Radiotherapy - Hormone therapy - Chemotherapy - Targeted therapy - Bisphosphonates These treatments aim to reduce the risk of breast cancer returning in the same breast or spreading somewhere else in the body. Which treatments you’re recommended will depend on your individual situation. Treatments given after surgery are called adjuvant treatments. Some of these treatments may be given before surgery. This is known as neo-adjuvant or primary treatment. #### **Radiotherapy** If you have breast-conserving surgery, you’ll usually be offered [radiotherapy](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/radiotherapy-for-primary-breast-cancer "Radiotherapy for primary breast cancer") to the breast. This is to reduce the risk of cancer coming back in the same breast. You may also have radiotherapy to the lymph nodes under the arm or above the collarbone. Radiotherapy is sometimes given to the chest wall after a mastectomy. However, this is unlikely to be necessary if you have tubular breast cancer. #### **Hormone (endocrine) therapy** Some breast cancers use oestrogen in the body to help them grow. These are known as oestrogen receptor positive or ER-positive breast cancers. [Hormone therapies](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-endocrine-therapy "Hormone (endocrine) therapy") block or stop the effect of oestrogen on breast cancer cells. Different hormone therapy drugs do this in different ways. Hormone therapy will only be prescribed if your breast cancer is ER-positive. Tubular breast cancers are usually ER-positive. #### **Chemotherapy** If you have tubular breast cancer, it’s unlikely you’ll have [chemotherapy](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/chemotherapy "Chemotherapy"). This is because tubular breast cancer is almost always low grade and much less likely than some types of breast cancer to spread to other parts of the body. But it may be recommended for some people. Your treatment team will discuss which treatment option is most appropriate for you. When the benefit of chemotherapy is less certain, your treatment team may suggest a test called a [genomic assay](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/chemotherapy/benefits-of-chemotherapy-for-primary-breast-cancer "Benefits of chemotherapy for primary breast cancer"). #### **Targeted therapy** [Targeted therapy](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/targeted-therapy "Targeted (biological) therapy") is the name given to a group of drugs that block the growth and spread of cancer. They target and interfere with processes in the cells that help cancer grow. The type of targeted therapy you are given will depend on the features of your breast cancer. #### **Bisphosphonates** This group of drugs can slow down or prevent loss of bone tissue and reduce the risk of breast cancer spreading in women who have been through the menopause. They can be used if the menopause happened naturally or because of breast cancer treatment. [Bisphosphonates](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/bisphosphonates-for-primary-breast-cancer "Bisphosphonates for primary breast cancer") can be given as a tablet or into a vein (intravenously). Your treatment team can tell you if bisphosphonates would be suitable for you. Close Glossary term ## Bisphosphonates Drugs that slow or prevent loss of bone tissue. Used to reduce the risk of breast cancer spreading (if you've been through the menopause) or to treat metastatic breast cancer in the bone. Also used for people who are at risk of or have osteoporosis. Close Glossary term ## Chemotherapy A treatment that destroys cancer cells using anti-cancer drugs. It works by affecting their ability to divide and grow. Close Glossary term ## Hormone therapy Drugs that work in different ways to block the effect of oestrogen on cancer cells. Only used if the breast cancer is hormone receptor positive. Close Glossary term ## Radiotherapy The use of high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. Close Glossary term ## Targeted therapy Also known as biological therapy. The name given to a group of drugs that block the growth and spread of cancer. They target and interfere with processes in the cells that cause cancer to grow. ## 5. Follow-up You'll continue to be monitored after your hospital-based treatments (such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy) finish. This is known as [follow-up](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/treatment/follow-up-after-treatment "Follow-up after treatment"). Whether you had breast-conserving surgery or a mastectomy (with or without reconstruction), it's important to be aware of any changes to the breast, chest or surrounding area. The area around your scar may feel lumpy, numb or sensitive. This means you'll need to get to know how it looks and feels so you know what’s normal for you. This will help you feel more confident about noticing changes and reporting them early to your breast care nurse, treatment team or GP. Having breast cancer in 1 breast means the risk of developing cancer in the other breast ([a new primary breast cancer](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/diagnosis/second-primary-diagnosis "Second primary diagnosis")) is slightly higher than in someone who's never had breast cancer. It’s important to be aware of any new changes in the other breast and to report these as soon as possible. ## 6. Further support Healthcare Information ### [Coping emotionally](https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/life-after-treatment/coping-with-breast-cancer-emotionally) There's no right or wrong way to feel after a breast cancer diagnosis. Find tips and resources for dealing with your emotions. If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you might be feeling lonely or isolated. It’s completely natural to experience these feelings. You might find it helps to talk to someone who has been through a similar experience. Find out about our Someone Like Me service below. You can also visit our confidential online [forum](https://forum.breastcancernow.org/) and talk to other people affected by tubular breast cancer. You can also speak to our nurses on our free helpline, below. ### Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback ### Was this helpful? Was this helpful? Yes No Please tell us what you liked about it. Answered my questions Easy to understand Right amount of information Reassuring We’re sorry you didn’t find this helpful. Please tell us why. Didn't answer my questions Hard to understand Too much information Upsetting If you have any more feedback, please let us know. Please do not include personal details and be aware we cannot respond to comments. If you have a question please call our helpline on 0808 800 6000. Send feedback Print this page ### Quality assurance Last reviewed in May 2024. 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