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Shellca's avatar
Shellca
Member
8 years ago

A bit confused

Hi, after my call back from a mammogram recently, spent 4 hours having further tests and 5 biopsies. At the final doctor told me they are pretty certain I have breast cancer and went on to explain that I would have a lumpendectomy on theleft breast then 5 weeks of radiation. I returned the next week for biopsy results. Saw a different doctor who said no cancer cells in the biopsy but will still require surgery as I still may have cancer but the chances are less.  Saw surgeon at the hospital who showed me another area mucosal etc substances near chest wall also 4cm further in. The area affected means a significant amount of tissue will be removed. Was told on Monday the surgical team will have a meeting to determine if I first have a biopsy on the second area although it will be removed regardless of results. Ph call back yesterday advised I won’t have another biopsy and am booked for surgery 24 September. It has been a bit of a roller coaster - my adult children devasted by the original news, then feeling a bit more hopeful now more back to worry about pending surgery. Myself - still trying to process it all. I have cancer, I may have cancer but won’t know for certain until quite invasive surgery. 

I suffer from a number of health conditions and have severe chronic pain that makes getting through each day very challenging. I supported my mum through her mastectomy and she had the second one 5 years later so I am not unfamiliar with the process when diagnosed. However, there was no uncertainty when she had the surgery.

Sorry for long post but my question is if mine is a common experience and I forgot to ask the surgeon if I wii still have radiation afterwards. I would appreciate any feedback. Many thanks for reading my post.

5 Replies

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    8 years ago
    Well breast surgeon's rely on experience also. I would trust them. I know the biopsy says no cancer but they are working on years of knowledge that more than likely it is. I don't believe they would do the surgery otherwise.

    Now as to radiotherapy ...that will depend on final pathology. Also if a significant amount of tissue is being taken is it worth saving tbe breast?. A mastectomy sometimes negates the  need for radiotherapy but not always. ..especially if near chest wall.

    Your breast csre nurse might he able to help with some answers if you have one.

    Lots of unknowns. I probably haven't helped you at all...except to say...trust your surgeon. Kath x
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    8 years ago

    Decisions about surgery and further treatment are, usually, made by a Multi Disciplinary Team which is composed of a variety of people who represent the specialist fields--surgical, oncology (both medical and radiation), pathologists plus anyone else who may be involved. They don't meet every day and view patients in batches. This can account for the way the information we are given can change from that which we are given at first diagnosis. It's frustrating and frightening and many of us get given information in the first instance which is either not correct, or not complete.

    Human nature means we want to know what is going on immediately and some of the specialists (surgeons are notorious for this) get a bit ahead of themselves and speculate on what their colleagues will recommend.

    Please ask for copies of all your results and the notes from your MDT meeting. Cart them around in a folder so you can be sure everyone is looking at the same thing and you ask specific questions if you are not sure about the recommendations.

    Some breast cancers, such as lobular carcinoma, are very difficult to detect and measure with any accuracy. Scans and biopsies are not very helpful in some instances. Removing suspect tissue is the best way to figure out what is going on if there is any ambiguity about the scans. All this takes time and can be distressingly invasive.

    Hang in there and do not be frightened to ask for a second opinion if that will put your mind at rest. Marg xx

  • kezmusc's avatar
    kezmusc
    Member
    8 years ago
    Welcome to the forum @Shellca . No wonder you are confused.  Second opinion maybe???? 

     Sometimes they do miss with the biopsies, but you would think 5 of them would have given some kind of conclusive result.  My first core biopsy came back as normal cells. but they knew that was wrong as the lymph nodes were positive and the MRI had said otherwise.  The second one, which was done by a different doctor at a different place, hit it and got the correct result. 

    I know of a lady recently who had a lumpectomy and aux clearance. When the final results came back there was NO positive cells in the lymph nodes at all just the breast.  Unnecessary invasive surgery to which both she and the surgeon were  incredibly disturbed by, even though the original biopsy suggested lymph node invasion.  
    Did you have an MRI as well?

    Hope it gets sorted quickly for you.  

    xoxoxo
  • JennyD78's avatar
    JennyD78
    Member
    8 years ago

    If you nominated a specific GP on any forms you've filled in, they should be receiving copies of everyone's reports and recommendations.  Could you go to them and ask them to have a look and try and give you a clearer picture of where everything stands?

    All the best xo

  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    8 years ago
    It does sound strange that they are going ahead with surgery without any evidence. I wonder if it is something like DCIS which would develop into invasive cancer. Maybe someone else here would have a better idea.