mother has metastatic ILC and ...

tovahsmom

I got a call back for a 2nd mammo, needed a biopsy and am waiting for results.

I did not tell the doc my mother had metastatic ILC involving 17 of 20 lymph nodes because I wrote it on the questionnaire and I assumed she read it.

Am I wrong to assume this?

The doc said I needed 2 biopsies of 2 suspicious areas but she only biopsied one area because the other was hard to get to, so she said.

Does anybody have any idea whether I should have spoken up about my mother's BC when doc said she wasn't going to biopsy the 2nd area?

Do you think the doc would have reconsidered?

When my friend asked if I mentioned my mother's BC to the doc, and I said no, she went nuts on me. Maybe I was wrong not to mention it? I wrote it on the questionnaire. Docs do read those, don't they?

Any thoughts anyone? I'm GOING NUTS waiting for my biopsy results.

leaf

Waiting is awful, isn't it!

I would remind the doc about your family history to the doc at your next contact with her or her office. (I assume this will be in the next several weeks.) Some docs go too fast.  On my first visit with a breast surgeon (this was after my core biopsy showed LCIS), her first words to me were 'If you are interested in prophylactic bilateral mastectomies, I will fall over in my chair'.  She hadn't even asked about my family history yet.  I don't  get along with this BS for this and other (emotional) reasons.  I'm sure she's an excellent surgeon technically.  

I work in a hospital, and know that sometimes things are overlooked.  You can always get a 2nd opinion whether or not you need the 2nd spot biopsied.

nash

It's been my experience that most docs don't read the forms carefully. I always verbalize my family and personal history to them.

Anonymous

I would definitely mention it to the doctor, sometimes they read thru things too fast and don't catch everything.

Anne

still-me

Hi- After reading what some of you are saying, I have a question.  I was diagnosed with Infiltrating Ductal Carc. and had a right Mastectomy on 6/23/09.  Now on my pathologht report it shows LCIS.  My sister who is three years younger than me just got her biopsy back that also shows LCIS.  I was denied a bilateral because my family history wasn't there.  Is my sisters diag. good enough?  She is going to start taking tamox. to reduce her chances.  I am so scared that if they don't take my remaining breast the cancer will come back.  I get my ONCO Type score tomorrow.

Thanks,

Teri

Anonymous

Teri--Who denied you  a bilateral mastectomy? the insurance company or the surgeon? I don't know  the answer about your sister's new diagnosis, but I certainly think it would make a difference. I'm very glad to hear she is going on tamoxifen. Have you considered genetic testing? Unfortunately, my insurance has  said they won't pay for genetic testing even though I have LCIS and my mom had ILC. I'm still trying to appeal that--my oncologist office will be resubmitting my medical history to include my mom's and grandmom's colon cancer as well--a lady at the insurance thought that might make a difference in whether they will pay or not.

Anne

tovahsmom

Thank you all for the feedback.

I will tell the doc when she gets back from vacation.