IDC in Left then found in right also at surgery

keonghi

Hi all, I was just wondering if there is any other women out there in the 1-2% who had BC in both breasts?  I was first diagnosed with IDC in the left breast then when pathology came back after surgery they told me they found 1cm IDC in the right also.  Now, I am left wondering what to do about the lymph nodes on the right.  They didn't do a SNB on right (cuz they didn't know) and now they can't because the breast tissue is gone (BMX).  Did anyone else have a surprise cancer appear during surgery?  What did you (and your docs) decide to do about the lymph nodes.  My BS is talking about going the "wait and watch" approach and Tamoxifen.  Why tamoxifen when there isn't any breast tissue left?  So many questions now with the new revelation of BC in right.

Thanks, Kristi

Wren44

A number of people say cancer is found in the supposedly good breast, so it's not that uncommon. They might be able to tell more about the nodes on the right with an MRI (I'm guessing). The Tamoxifen is to prevent recurrence because a MX doesn't take every last bit of breast tissue. Chances are there is nothing in the right lymph nodes either, but not knowing for sure is hard. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

coraleliz

I had bilateral tumors. My 2nd one was found on MRI prior to surgery. I had a BMX. Following surgery I had a PET scan. Positive nodes can light up on PET scans. But in my case, I already had 2 positive nodes(removed at the time of BMX) & it was to find possible cancer activity in the remaining nodes & beyond(from neck to knees).

keonghi

Thx coraleliz, cuzI was wondering if a PET scan could be used now that we can't do a SNB.  Are they going to put you on Tamoxifen even though you had a BMX?

pupmom

Sorry about your unfortunate surprise. I had one too when they found two positive nodes. Nothing was seen on the MRI, ultrasonds, or mammograms. 

Just wondering why there isn't any tissue left. My hospital keeps it for a long time. 

bevg49

I've had a  couple of unfortunate surprises since this started. In fact, I need to change my diagnoseson the bottom. It started when they said DCIS and I was set for a lumpectomy - had my appt. and had even gone for pre surg. testing. Then the MRI came back, another DCIS, same breast, different quadrant so forget about lumpectomy, going for a mastectomy of one breast. The BS called the other day and said on a second opinion, the doctor found the second DCIS is actually invasive. What can they tell me next ?? LOL.... On June 5 I go for the SNB and mastectomy and reconstruction. Just won't answer the phone anymore til this is done lol... I wish had an answer for the above poster but this is all really new to me too. I wonder if I should do a BMX just to avoid having to go through it later. It's something I'm thinking about.Best of luck to all you ladies.

2FriedEggs

keonghi  regarding the tamoxifen, my understanding is that even though you had a dmx , if your breast cancer was positive for  estrogen, they have you take it just incase any errant breast cancer cells happened to sneak into the bloodstream or the lymph and settled in any other areas of your body. The tamoxifen would starve those cells of  estrogen so that they couldn't grow elsewhere. Go to http://www.cancer.gov and enter tamoxifen in the search- there is quite a bit about tamoxifen and there is a fact sheet that might help you with it.