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Kylou76's avatar
Kylou76
Member
11 years ago

Pathology report not what I expected....

After having a massive tumour removed from my right breast last Monday (25/8) I got back my pathology results today and they were not what I was expecting. I thought my main concern was if there was a clear margin or not and if I needed to have a mastectomy.  I had a breast reduction as way of surgery brining my g cup down to a d cup.

It turns out that this is the least of my worries. The tumour was greater than 100mm across and weighed about 710g. The mind boggling thing is I only found it about 6 weeks ago.

It is stage 3 grade 2 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, 9 out of 12 lymph nodes were effected and in some extranodal spread present (0.7mm)

There was only a 1mm clearance but my surgeon said that at the moment, that is enough, it is more important to get the chemo going.

I honestly didn't even think that there was a chance that the cancer could have spread. My surgeon said that it is a minimal chance that it has but that it means that my battle may have just got a bit harder. He said that I will be looking at 6 months of strong chemo and radiation to both my breast and arm pit.

I tested positive for both ER and PR.

I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar pathology result and could tell me about their experience.

 

My head has been spinning since I received my diagnoses but after today it feels like it might explode. I'm 37 yrs old with an awesome hubby and 2 gorgeous children (10 and 6) who I want to spend a very long life with.

Thanks xx

8 Replies

  • Hi there & welcome to this site, you will learn so much on here:) lots of lovely ladies here.... I was diagnosed with stage 1 grade 2 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, Positive to ER &PR,they say this lobular is the hardest one to pick up because it has a spider web affect, I had 2 tumours removed by lumpectomy just under a year ago now with clear margins & couple of nodes taken & no activity I was lucky:) I also had 8 wks of radiation & I am at the tail end of a hysterectomy & have been on tamoxifen for about ten weeks now... Being diagnosed with breast cancer is a very stressful & scary time in the beginning & like everyone says it does get better as you go along.... It does seem like this journey is a long one but you will be surprised at how fast the time flys by... So for now my advice to you is to take one step, one, breath & one day at a time & let your awesome hubby help you through your journey along with your family & friends & ask for help when you need it & keep in touch on here, there is always someone to talk to...... One last thing, if you haven't already ordered my journey kit do so, it provided me with the answers to many questions & it also helped prepare me for what I was about to go through,it is filled with so much information my hubby also found it very valuable & it became my best friend lol:) I think you can order through this network ...I rang 1800 500 258 & had mine within the wk... Good luck with your journey...sending you ((hugs)) take care... Christine:)x
  • Hi there & welcome to this site, you will learn so much on here:) lots of lovely ladies here.... I was diagnosed with stage 1 grade 2 Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, Positive to ER &PR,they say this lobular is the hardest one to pick up because it has a spider web affect, I had 2 tumours removed by lumpectomy just under a year ago now with clear margins & couple of nodes taken & no activity I was lucky:) I also had 8 wks of radiation & I am at the tail end of a hysterectomy & have been on tamoxifen for about ten weeks now... Being diagnosed with breast cancer is a very stressful & scary time in the beginning & like everyone says it does get better as you go along.... It does seem like this journey is a long one but you will be surprised at how fast the time flys by... So for now my advice to you is to take one step, one, breath & one day at a time & let your awesome hubby help you through your journey along with your family & friends & ask for help when you need it & keep in touch on here, there is always someone to talk to...... One last thing, if you haven't already ordered my journey kit do so, it provided me with the answers to many questions & it also helped prepare me for what I was about to go through,it is filled with so much information my hubby also found it very valuable & it became my best friend lol:) I think you can order through this network ...I rang 1800 500 258 & had mine within the wk... Good luck with your journey...sending you ((hugs)) take care... Christine:)x
  • Hi I had a similar diagnosis as you lobular with one of twelve nodes involved. Stage 3. I had 6 rounds of TAC chemo and have been on Tamoxifen for two years . I am due now to have my two year scans. All has been well so far. I have just done everything that the doctors and nurses have advised and they have not let me down yet and hopefully for years to come. Once treatment starts things will settle down and you can look to the future. Stay strong and positive and trust that your treatment teAm will be doing their best to get you through this. Take care. Robyn
  • Hi I had a similar diagnosis as you lobular with one of twelve nodes involved. Stage 3. I had 6 rounds of TAC chemo and have been on Tamoxifen for two years . I am due now to have my two year scans. All has been well so far. I have just done everything that the doctors and nurses have advised and they have not let me down yet and hopefully for years to come. Once treatment starts things will settle down and you can look to the future. Stay strong and positive and trust that your treatment teAm will be doing their best to get you through this. Take care. Robyn
  • My diagnosis was Stage 3 Grade 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with 5/8 positive nodes with some extranodal extension. I was also ER and PR positive which is the good news part for us. Hormone Therapy makes a BIG difference to our chance of recurrence. I had Chemo (3 x FEC and 3 x Docetaxel) then radiation to chest wall, auxillary area and my neck. I have been on tamoxifen for almost 10 months and am doing very well. I feel almost like myself again and feel that my quality of life is very good. It was a very tough and scarey time during treatment but you do get through it and life can be good again. I found keeping in touch with the ladies on here helped me to get through and recover. I hope it helps to know that there are others with a similar diagnosis who are doing well down the track. I hope things go as well as they can. Take care. Deanne xxxx
  • My diagnosis is different to yours, however I am 2 rounds in of 6 mths chemo. I find it not as bad as I thought it would be. There is so much to take in at the start. Take a slow deep breath and try to focus just on the next few steps. This site has been of great help to me and I am sure you will receive more helpful responses soon. Remember that breast cancer is treatable. Good luck with your journey, Stay in touch xx Silke
  • Hello.My pathology was not like yours,but I just want to tell you that BC is very treatable these days.It is perfectly normal to feel out of control at this stage,but if you can try to take it one day at a time,and be guided by your doctors,I am sure that you will do just fine.Chemo these days is not the way it was many years ago.There are medications to combat any side effects,and lots of great ideas to help can be found on this blog.I am sure that someone with a similar pathology to yours will be here shortly,to offer you some advice.Stay connected on here,because it really is the best place to help you through as you begin your journey.Cheers xoxRobyn
  • Hello.My pathology was not like yours,but I just want to tell you that BC is very treatable these days.It is perfectly normal to feel out of control at this stage,but if you can try to take it one day at a time,and be guided by your doctors,I am sure that you will do just fine.Chemo these days is not the way it was many years ago.There are medications to combat any side effects,and lots of great ideas to help can be found on this blog.I am sure that someone with a similar pathology to yours will be here shortly,to offer you some advice.Stay connected on here,because it really is the best place to help you through as you begin your journey.Cheers xoxRobyn