Newly diagnosed today and feeling shattered.

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.

melclarity
Member
8 years ago
@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 xo
nonkyboy
Member
8 years ago
Thanks Melinda x
primek
Member
8 years ago
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 x
primek
Member
8 years ago
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/
nonkyboy
Member
8 years ago
Thanks so much primek. I ordered the kit an hour or so ago so hopefully will receive it by the end of next week.
fairydust
Member
8 years ago
@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.
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
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 x
cute31892015
Member
8 years ago
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...
socoda
Member
8 years ago
@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 Cath
socoda
Member
8 years ago
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 Cath