multi-focal tumors.....and survival

gkbuser

kathleen, thanks for the update. I am only 8 months out from my multifocal ILC 10 foci but largest 1cm so i was classified as a stage 1B. Sentinal node (2 nodes) negative. Lumpectomy and radiation. My care is at a big university center and I feel they are very up on the latest. Was told not to worry about the multifocal aspect. It encourages me to hear all the victories. I have moments of fear but am slowly thinking about it less and less.

dtad

Hi everyone...I was diagnosed 2 years ago with multi focal IDC and ILC, both 1 cm. My doc at a major NYC university hospital told me it did not affect either my stage or prognosis. Good luck to all

Tpralph

what I understand is that muktifical multicentric just puts y at higher risk for node involvement. 52 percent vice 37 percent. I was in the 52 percent dammit.

jenni__ca

multifocal here ..... 13 years

Tpralph

thats awesome Jenni thanks for posting and giving the rest of us hope!

gkbuser

thanks Jenni! Definately giving us hope!

AryaS

I had no idea mine was multifocal until I actually read the pathology report myself. I had never heard of the term. The doctors didn't tell me anything about it. Turns out they found cancer in every quadrant of the breast and I had a ton of lymph node involvement (which I knew about). Is it normal for doctors to just not mention the multifocal? I ended up looking up all the terms I didn't know in the report myself. Regardless, I am 4 years out and still truckin'.

Shellsatthebeach

I too had multifocal tumors. During my ultrasound, two tumors were found (IDC) and one DCIS in my left breast. I did have lymph node involvement. Won't know for sure how much until I get the pathology report. I believe it should be in some time next week since I had my surgery on August 30th. It is so nice to see such positive stories. I hope all continues to go well for each and everyone of us!

HopefulAC

hi-- I am just beginning this journey and was diagnosed on 8/30 with IDC , ER-,PR-, HER2 +. A lump less than 2 cm was found on physical inspection and have had biopsy and recently an MRI. The report said 1) MR evidence for multifocal and possibly multicentric malignancy in the left breast? But I don't know what this means. The surgeon never mentioned anything re multifocal or multi centric and I guess I may need more biopsy because it also said -

2)two indeterminate foci of enhancement in the right breast borderline in size but with suspicious enhancement characteristics . MRI guided biopsy of these is recommended

Anyway, I have found this site super helpful bc I love reading the success stories!

Meow13

I had 2 tumors one ilc one idc. I was multifocal because 2 tumors and multi centric because in 2 quadrants. One at 3 o clock one at 6 oclock. When I had mastectomy the pathology came back as separate distinct tumors nothing in the 4 cm between them. It was good news but still surgeon says multi focal even though it suggest one tumor with 2 foci.

Dm39

Hi hopefulac. I was just diagnosed in nov. I have multi focal idc. 3 tumors. Under 2cms. All in the same quadrant. I am debating lumpectomy or mastectomy. Seems most posts I see have had mastectomy with multi focal. Any input on this? Multifocal means more than one in same area of breast. Multi centric means more than one in different areas. Multifocal can be easier to remove depending on size, area, and your breast size. For example: if I get a lumpectomy they can remove the tumors because they are all in the same quadrant and I have enough tissue to work with. If I was a smaller bust size they wouldnt be able to.