Newly diagnosed today and feeling shattered.
nonkyboy
Member Posts: 188 ✭
Hi ladies, I have been hovering around these pages for a few days while waiting for my biopsy results to come in and hoping I could leave as quietly as I came. Unfortunately I am joining the group. My pathology report reads as follows:
The core biopsies of breast tissue show invasive ductile carcinoma NOS with foci of intermediate and high grade ductal carcinoma in situ. Invasive carcinoma comprises moderately pleomorphic cells with focal tubal formation associated with desmoplastic stroma. Mitotic figures are infrequently identified. Grading is suboptimal on core biopsies; however, the appearances are of a grade 2 carcinoma ( tubules 3/3, nuclei 2/3, mitosis 1/3). There is lobular involvement. Myoepithelial markers (p63,SMMHC) confirm the presence of myoepithelial cells around the lobules and areas of of carcinoma in situ. Carcinoma in situ shows cribriform and solid patterns. There is no vascular invasion in these section.
HORMONE RECEPTOR STUDIES
OESTROGEN RECEPTOR - Positve
% positive nuclear staining - >95%
Intensity of nuclear staining - 3+(strong)
PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR - Positive
% positive nuclear staining - >95%
Intensity of nuclear staining - 3+ (strong)
HER2 OVEREXPRESSION
HER2 ( Vantana 4B5 ) - Equivocal
Membrane staining score 2+ (>10% weak/moderate incomplete membrane staining)
Comment - INVASIVE DUCTAL CARCINOMA AND DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU
I SEE THE BREAST SURGEON IN 6 days and was wondering if any of you ladies would have ideas on what she may suggest as treatment and also what questions I should have ready to ask her. I'm 53yo and perimenopausal. I have beaten thyroid cancer and I will tackle this too. I am raising my three young grandchildren who are aged 16/12, 2yrs and 2 months and the eldest just turned 3years.
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@nonkyboy a big Welcome to you, so sorry you had to actually post and didn't escape quietly. Please know, there's a mountain of support on the Forum, so much experience, compassion and understanding. You sound amazing, raising 3 Grandchildren, my hat goes off to you. I'm a single parent of 2 who are now older teenagers, but it's been a tough road.
In terms of your results, from what I can see you are ER+ which means you are hormone receptive positive that requires hormone blocker medication such as Tamoxifen or Arimidex etc., You are a grade 2. Thing is results from biopsies are always different to the lumpectomy, only then will you get the correct pathology. The biopsy is only a guide. Difficult to say what your treatment would be, you do have IDC and DCIS and depends how much and where as to what they would need to do. So really need to wait and see your Surgeon. I was ER+ IDC Grade 2 Stage 3, so it doesnt mention stage for you and thats where they determine chemo or not.
Hang tight for some answers, Hugs Melinda xo2 -
Thanks Melinda x1
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Hi there and so sorry you've had to join us.
Firstly..the size of the lump and position will determine the surgery.
Most likely you will be given option of lumpectomy with radiotherapy or mastectomy...with or without radiotherapy dependent on size and if any nodes involved.
Both surgeries usually also include a sentinal node biopsy...dye or radioactive substance is injected into breast and a few close nodes are removed for pathology to check for local cancer spread.
Following this pathology will be done again to determine, grade and stage.
You may have extra tests before or after surgery such as:
A breast MRI.
A whole body bone scan.
A CT scan.
All this is to assist with staging.
Treatment options if your cancer type remains the same as biopsy might include
Tamoxiden or an aramatose inhibitor (with or without chemo) ...both block estrogen use in the body.
A drug to shut your ovaries down.
Chemotherapy over 6 months (not all need this)
Radiotherapy if needed 3 to 5 weeks.
If you choose a mastectomy you may ask for consideration for reconstruction at the beginning. ...at least have the conversation if you would like that.
There will be a lot to talk about. And many options. Your head will spin. We are here when you need us.
Take care . Kath x3 -
This information link may be helpful. Make sure you order a My journey kit..it's on the link.
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/
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Thanks so much primek. I ordered the kit an hour or so ago so hopefully will receive it by the end of next week.
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@nonkyboy take it easy. Your cancer is unique to you. Reading or asking to get a more complete picture is fine but nothing is conclusive until the biopsy. In my case I was told by my gp to prepare for a double mastectomy.
When I saw my breast surgeon I was told it would depend on how I responded to chemo. Finally only had a lumpectomy.
So the point I am trying to make that given your age ,physical make up etc until the surgeon and you meet nothing is conclusive. You may have chemo may have radiation for how long etc No one can tell you at this stage best wishes.3 -
Nonkyboy, so sorry to hear you've joined the club. It's a shitty bloody ride but where all in it together. Once your docs sort a plan for you , you will feel better.
Lisa x0 -
I need advise for my sister emelia, that she can't do it to be online here,she so devastated and upset,she got more than 5cm on her 2 breast and the specialist want her to chemo first and surgery and radiation ,they can't do surgery first the lump is big so the specialist want to shrink first the lump before surgery. what the best option she will do, she so confuse right now, I need all of you here a great opinion..If she go ahead to chemo first before surgery...
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@cute31892015, I have created a post in newly diagnosed for your question regarding your sister, so it can be easier for lovelies to post their responses to you. Xx Cath2
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Hi @nonkyboy, Welcome to the forum.
How lucky your grandchildren are to have you caring and looking after them. Glad that you've found the site cause we will be able to help support you through this. Do you have family apart from your beautifuls that will be able to assist you? It helps if you can take someone with you to your appointments as a second set of ears are invaluable when discussions are being held. And don't be afraid of asking questions, the knowledge you gain wlll help you get through this with less anxiety as there's nothing worse than the unknown. Wishing you all the best. Xx Cath0 -
Welcome to the forum. Yours sounds quite similar to mine and I opted for a single mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy. Mine became complicated when they took the sentinel node and it was positive however when they took all the rest of the nodes in a second op, they were negative for cancer. Now is the time for you to get your house in order and stock up on foods etc. Get all that extra Spring clean washing finished now as hanging things up will be difficult for a while after the op. Start training the littlies not to be picked up at the slightest upset so when the op time comes they are ok with not being picked up and have learned to climb in to their car seats etc by themselves. You can do this.
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Hi @Soconda, I have my 22yo son living at home still but he works full time and I have a sister one Leumeah but she has three girls all in wheelchairs so I'll be doing most of the visits alone I think. My daughter is living and working overseas at the moment in the UK. I have a friend coming to my first appt with me on Wednesday so she can take notes which is wonderful and I'm sure she will come with me whenever she is free. I'm very independent anyway and as long as I can call people I am happy.1
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Hi @Brenda5, the 2yo and 3yo thankfully already climb into their car seats for me and I'm going to try and toilet train the 2yo over the next few days. She is only 2years and 2 months so I was going to wait until the warmer weather but she likes to do what Emma does so I think she will be happy to go with it. Unfortunately the littlest one is only 16 months old so when I have surgery he can stay either with my sister or his other nannies house. I am going to start the big clean this weekend I think and I have a new freezer coming next week so I will be able to get my cook on then too1
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Hi @nonkyboy Don't get too caught up with guessing what is going to happen. It's a natural reaction but, as some of the other ladies have suggested, the bloody goal posts keep moving. Breast cancer makes a game of Quidditch look positively sane.
Wait until you get all the info before you start making decisions. Other than to clean your house--funny how that is the default reaction for so many of us. I've got to admit that both times I've been diagnosed I've started a cleaning jag. Then I decide that I couldn't give a shit and that someone else can deal with the mess when I'm dead. Then I realise I'm not shuffling off in the immediate future and have to resume the whole domestic drag...
Good luck, Marg5 -
Oh that is so me Marg. I had all good intentions today of starting. I even went to an early gym session which I never do so I would have a full day ahead of me. I got home and had a coffee and got caught up on Facebook and then Lo and behold preschool calls to come pick up the baby as he looks like he's getting conjunctivitis! Well cleaning went out the window and we went shopping instead. On a plus note though I did lay-by a couple of post surgery bras and some button up pyjamas so the whole day wasn't quite lost lol1
