Surgery Decision
Hi, I'm 40 years old and was diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple positive cancer in my left breast in December last year. The core biopsy showed an invasive carcinoma associated with solid DCIS with lobular...
Forum Discussion
Hi @BecMoylan a warm welcome to you although I’m sorry you have had this diagnosis and disruption. Great to see @Suki and @arpie wisdom and experiences here too.
In case it helps, I had a diagnosis of Triple Positive invasive lobular carcinoma and (unusually for ILC) a (38 mm) lump.
It sounds like you have given a lot of considered thought to this and you make excellent points to raise with your breast surgeon.
I was recommended a lumpectomy and went with that but I was able to keep an open mind because I also had TCHP Neo adjuvant therapy. I was able to see that the chemo was effective in reducing the lump at the mid-way ultrasound and had another discussion then with my surgeon - she stayed with her original recommendation but if the tumour had not responded, my surgeon might have suggested a mastectomy.
I also knew I would have an opportunity to opt for a mastectomy after my lumpectomy - as it turns out my surgery pathology showed some cancer cells were still present (near the clip) but I didn’t go onto have further surgery and it wasn’t recommended either. The reasons my surgeon and oncologist suggested we stick to the original treatment plan is that lymph nodes were clear and I would be scheduled for radiation therapy and 11 cycles of a compound Immunotherapy and chemotherapy drug called Kadcyla aimed at any remaining cells and distant sites.
Like @Suki said even with a mastectomy we can’t really eliminate the possibility of recurrence, either in the breast or other sites, but it sounds like you’re doing a fantastic job at understanding the scenario for you, your particular circumstances and profile and investigating the overall options.
I also knew I would have an opportunity to opt for a mastectomy after my lumpectomy - as it turns out my surgery pathology showed some cancer cells were still present (near the clip) but I didn’t go onto have further surgery and it wasn’t recommended either. The reasons my surgeon and oncologist suggested we stick to the original treatment plan is that lymph nodes were clear and I would be scheduled for radiation therapy and 11 cycles of a compound Immunotherapy and chemotherapy drug called Kadcyla aimed at any remaining cells and distant sites.
Like @Suki said even with a mastectomy we can’t really eliminate the possibility of recurrence, either in the breast or other sites, but it sounds like you’re doing a fantastic job at understanding the scenario for you, your particular circumstances and profile and investigating the overall options.
I got comfortable knowing that I had a “decision tree” with a couple of stage gates where I could continue as planned or “course correct” if there were medical reasons to do so. I gave a lot of weight to the recommendations from my surgeon - a breast surgeon specialist - and my oncologist because I felt they had my interests at heart, had a pretty good sense of me as a person, and had insights gained from the breadth of their patient experience.
I hope you continue to get the information you want to be comfortable with what is right for you.
Triple Positive is no fun but apparently it is considered very treatable with a very targeted treatment. I also wish you lots of positive energy during this phase of TCHP - it’s manageable for sure, and life saving but no cake walk, so sending you virtual hugs 🌻
Any questions jump on line (once it’s reactivated!) ☺️
Any questions jump on line (once it’s reactivated!) ☺️