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bradley's avatar
bradley
Member
2 months ago

Looking at the 3rd surgery in 1 month

Hi all, I have been diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer with two less than 2cm but fast growing grade 3 tumor in mid Sept and had the lumpectomy surgery to remove the tumor . however pathology report came back saying they found DCIS cells at the margin. So I quickly done a re-excision surgery in mid Oct. The second surgery hit me really hard for not only I felt more pain but also i felt way weaker. But this tues, the surgeon told me they find IDC cancer cells at another margin. Now the surgeon is saying you should do another lumpectomy re-excision surgery. Emotionally I am devastated. But I cannot understand why can't they do a MRI to double check the margin? Or is this newly grown mass? My surgeon was not very open in sharing information. I am now seeking 2nd opinion. But i am so worry it will delay my whole treatment process. Anyone has similar experience to go through multiple surgeries? 

invasive ductal carcinoma
lumpectomy
mastectomy
treatment decisions

3 Replies

  • bradley's avatar
    bradley
    Member
    2 months ago

    Thank you Arpie. Your reply is super helpful. I am pretty new to Australia so i am not familiar the division of work for the breast cancer team. I understand the role for Breast Surgeon, Medical Oncologist, but not so much about a breast nurse or a breast physician. That's why I have never contacted my breast nurse in the first place. THanks for your suggestions. May I ask if it's common that no MRI or PET scan will be prescribed for early stage breast cancer? I just find the re-excision surgery a bit flying blind. 

    • arpie's avatar
      arpie
      Member
      2 months ago

      Terrific bradley​ .... we are all here to help each other xx

      During your treatment & recovery, your Breast Care Nurse may well become your first person to contact with ANY query as they have so much knowledge from working with Breast Cancer patients - there is not much they've not seen, heard about or discussed with both Medical Team and the patient.
      Go to this link and put in your Post Code and Breast Cancer & it should pull up any McGrath Breast Care Nurses in your area.  You can call them and arrange a meeting.  Make sure you get copies of both lots of pathologies, as they SHOW how much was cut out each time!  Your Breast Care Nurse will be able to interpret it for you - and answer your questions  xx. Obviously, the surgeon should have taken a bit more  :(  
      https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse/

      I am 8 years in now and have never had an MRI or PET scan yet re my breast cancer diagnosis - I was also Stage 1.  If it was Stage 2, you may have one ... If stage 3 or 4 I am guessing it would be standard - but every team might have different ideas on it  ...

      Personally, I reckon EVERYONE with cancer should have a full body MRI when first diagnosed, to have something to compare it with further down the track, if there is a recurrence - and who knows, they may even find other things that they can prevent from getting worse, that wouldn't have been picked up otherwise!  NOT having one doesn't make sense to me - as they DON'T have the full picture without one!  Yes, 'flying blind' is a good term for it! 
      BUT there is a significant cost associated with an MRI ... and many patients don't like having what might be considered 'unnecessary' scans due to added exposure to the rays ..... 

      But - you can always ask!  They can only say Yay or Nay!!  If it is Nay, ask why! 
      Take care

  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    2 months ago

    Golly gosh, you've been thru a lot already, bradley​  I would have hoped they got clear margins on the 2nd surgery .... but sadly, not so.   :(   Only the pathologist could tell you if it was new growth ... Have you been given copies of both pathology reports?  If not, I would be asking for them!  

    Have you been assigned a Breast Care Nurse that you can chat with?  They may be able to help you with your queries too.    To be honest, I think any 2nd opinion would probably suggest further surgery to get clear margins, as you don't want any of those nasty cells hanging around to create further chaos.  :(   Changing to another surgeon may also be the way to go, particularly if you aren't really happy with your current one not being open with you. It is very important that you are comfortable and confident that your surgeon is doing the right thing by you xx   (I changed my Medical Onc very early in the treatment, for similar reasons.)

    So sorry to see you joining the group that no one really 'wants' to join - It's good that you've found us, as this is the right spot for support & info from those who've 'been there, done that'! So hopefully we'll be able to smooth the way for your own treatment.  Whack up ANY question - remember there are NO dumb questions!!!  Make sure you take a trusted friend or family member with you to your appointments, as a 'backup set of ears', as it is difficult remembering everything that is said.  Also, consider recording your sessions on your phone, so you can go over it again later, for the same reason. 😉

    Mine was ILC - I was lucky to only have the one lumpectomy, radiation & tablets .... and have recently finished with the tabs after 7 years!

    This diagnosis can really muck with your brain too - so if you feel sad, angry, distressed (which would be understandable given this 3rd lot of surgery xx) .... ask your GP (or your treating team) for a referral to see a counsellor .... or listen to Charlotte Tottman's podcast (link below).  You can also ring our Helpline on 1800 500 258 for a confidential one-on-one chat xx    

    Charlotte Tottman  is a BC specialist counsellor who was diagnosed herself, also had a double mastectomy, so knows EXACTLY what we've all been thru, both emotionally and physically!  Her own reaction to her diagnosis was also quite different to what she 'thought' it might be, given that she'd been counseling women's reactions for some years before, so thought she 'new' what to expect!  She is VERY easy to listen to, too xx
    http://www.drcharlottetottman.com.au/my-podcast.html. 

    Raelene Boyle's video is also well worth watching! 
    https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/podcasts/upfront-about-breast-cancer/upfront-about-breast-cancer/episode-21-raelene-boyle-on-pulling-herself-out-of-the-darkness/

    There is HEAPS of info in the link below to help you navigate the blog and also some tools to evaluate your own physical and mental recovery thru your ongoing treatment! xx.
    You can show us your garden, your pets, your art/craft, share your favourite recipes ..... as we delight in seeing everyone else is up to!  xx

    https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussions/general-discussion/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members-/222737

    Take care & wishing you all the best for the next surgery  xx