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nonkyboy's avatar
nonkyboy
Member
9 years ago

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. 

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  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 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
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    9 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