Forum Discussion
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.
54 Replies
- Know how you feel. After a Breastscreen I was re-called for more tests, then had another mammogram & ultrasound. Finally a biopsy which confirmed my worst fears. The literature said 9 out of 10 women recalled were clear. I recall sitting in the waiting room, counting out all the other women who got the all clear; 10, 9, 8, 7 bugger, the odds are getting worse for me!
I've had surgery, a port put in & a seemingly endless round of tests culminating with my first Herceptin yesterday & chemo today. That makes if round one down, 16 & 3 more to go!
All the best. - @nonkyboy I created a private facebook group and invited people in. I explained I wanted to be able to blog warts and all and add photos of my surgery...so people could opt out. It was a great way to keep people informed. I chose tbis so anyone looking at my fb page could not just see all about my cancer experience. Not all fb friends you want to share really personal stuff with. I also set up messenger groups. Family. Friendships groups. As there might have been different stuff I wanted to disclose there. This really helped me in my early days...and this site. There was always somebody awake to give me support during those sleepless nights.
- Thanks girls. I am travelling along well. I have the babies to keep me busy and my mind occupied. I am having a CT of my brain, chest and stomach on Thursday this week as well as an ultrasound on my stomach. I also put a post up on Facebook about my diagnosis as it's so hard telling so many people individually. I told those who were very important in my life one on one last week. Steplightly it certainly is a roller coaster and I'm glad you gave a next step plan in place.Romla I'm glad you found the extra support when you most needed it. That is very important. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend xx
- Thanks melclarity and primek Wondering how you are travelling nonkyboy. Trust you are in good space today What a ride this is and I cant stand rollercoasters. Keep well and strong and dowhat you need to take care of you xx hugs Ali
- @steplightly Good news and a great idea to have further chats so no lingering doubts.
- @steplightly I'm not sure if that would be possible connecting your Specialists, it would be different if you were both seeing the same Specialist though.
Great you have that meeting out the way, it is good to at least hear from the Chemo team and then make up your mind, sounds like they are very thorough, so I'd go by what they recommend. Hugs Melinda xo - Hi everyone. I have just met with the breast care nurse to discuss the recommended treatment plan by the treating team as discussed in their big meeting this morning ( 3-5 weeks radiation and possible hormone treatment after). No recommendation for chemo although they thought a discussion with that team may be useful to hear about the risks and benefits of that path if I want to consider it. So I have agreed to meet with them to do this. New paths will begin. Now is my time to let the surgical wounds heal in prep for radiation, to stay focused on the positives and take each day as it comes. Hope your day is being kind to you whatever you are facing and you are finding courage and strength and lots of love and support. xo<3
- Hello girls and especially nonkyboy who has just started her journey.The first part of the process - tests , surgery and radiation went past in a blur for me tbh but what stood out every step of the way for me was the kindness and support that cocooned me from fear as I went through . The most important to me was the steadying influence of my breast surgeon who I trusted implicitly from the beginning and I am pleased to hear you feel the same about yours.The first real Wobblies I had was last week but then support enveloped me again but I did need to look for it - I found this site , I rang Cancer Council who set up Cancer Connect for me resulting in phone call yesterday from a lovely woman from Brisbane who has come through a similar path to my own and I found online after that conversation a local breast cancer group who meet monthly.For me at this stage it is important to know that I can continue to live my life and that I can get thru to the other side from others who have been /are on my journey. I read yesterday on bcna site there are 48 new bc diagnoses daily which is about 17000 a year - you are not alone and many will help you.
- I discovered my lump on self check but although 2.5cm big it didn't show on mammogram but did on ultrasound. As my bs said this is why she thinks an ultrasound should be automatic when getting a mammogram.
- Yes Melinda. I would agree with you it is alarming. My mum hasn't had it although she does remember having something done to her breast a very long time ago but cant tell me what (she is 84 this year). My younger sister was recently diagnosed with dcis and has been been through surgery and radiation but is having some other issues and seeing the bc nurse and her specialist today. Hers was picked up in mammogram. I didn't even pick up the cyst because of the way I was breast checking and it would move away. I don't know if there is a gene connection for mine and have to wait now for clarity for the next phase. My sister and I are discussing connecting our specialists for discussion of results etc (don't know if that is possible) as we are in different states or if it would be helpful.. any thoughts?
