Just diagnosed - is radiation and or chemo going to happen?

Keyla

hi

I was just diagnosed on July 23, and am still reeling. I have appt with cancer doc next Wednesday. My GP said I have "invasive ductal..." Something 😄. Didn't hear much after she said "cancer". Am just wondering I think I understand that chemo is not always needed, but is radiation always done?

Thanks

Carol

daisylover

Carol,

I had neither radiation nor chemo. It really depends on your diagnosis. You are in the craziest phase. It takes time to develop a treatment plan. Do you have a surgery date? I received second opinions which did include chemo and radiation (at a second academic center) -- you will realize that there are many options... I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago and I have to focus to remember that initial fear and confusion. Once you are presented with your treatment options (usually after surgery), and have made a decision, you will start to feel more in control of your life again. It's helpful to meet and communicate with others here. You will gain lots of knowledge and begin to not feel so alone. In the beginning, the diagnosis seems so isolating. BCO will offer so much support. HUGS... take care and know that we are all in this together...

Xjerseygrl

Hi Carol, I'm sorry your here too. Like you I was just diagnosed with IDC on July 20th and see the BS next Tuesday. I called my pcp and requested a copy of my pathology report and it has helped me get prepared for my appointment next week. I'm glad you joined as there is such a wealth of information to help us get thru this. I hope this helps you decide what is right for you....I agree with kaya the more information we have the better prepared we are to make important decisions regarding our treatment.

Keyla

thanks so much for the information ladies, I guess once I get a treatment plan things will make more sense.

Another question, since yesterday I have felt like my torso is being squeezed, it seems to come and go sometimeswith jolting discomfort. I am thinking this is stress/anxiety related and am wondering if anyone else is/has experienced this?

Kicks

Only your Dr(s) can tell you what your TX (treatment) plan will be. There are so many variables - we are each different and come to DX/TX at different levels of overall health, Stage/ node involvement/mets/etc., our Drs are different and not all do the exact same plans, diffferent types of BC are different and the TX plans for them, so many variables so there is no ''One Size Fits All'.

Neoadjuvant chemo (pre-surgery chemo) has been the 'standard' for a long time for IBC but it is becoming more common for IDC also. Basically the idea is to shrink it and get good margins cor surgery. Some will do 2 different types of chemo neoadjuvant and a few do neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemos. I did A/C neoadjuvant and Taxol adjuvant (post surgery) followed by 25 rads.

Be sure to get a copy of every test/scan/path. report - EVERYTHING and file away for future reference. It is your right to have a copy. Get a note book or pad and write down all the questions you have, make a second copy to give to the Dr so he can address them all (some he/she may be abl. to combine for an answer for them together. Take your SmartPhone (or a tape recorder) and record exactly what the Dr says so you can review it later if a question as to exactly what was said - better than trying to take notes.

Jennie93

I was diagnosed with IDC almost 3 years ago, and at first, none of the docs ever suggested that I would need chemo or radiation. They all said mastectomy and tamoxifen, that's it, no big deal.

Needless to say, I learned pretty soon that it's not that simple. LOL

After surgery, when they told me they found positive lymph nodes and so I would need both chemo and rads, it left me reeling. I wish I had known ahead of time it was a possibility. It would've given me time to wrap my mind around it. I think you are ahead of the curve, just by asking these questions.

Whatever happens I know you will do just great!

CAMommy

I was told lumpectomy and radiation, and tamoxifen. No chemo. But I know they can't be sure until final pathology report where who knows what they may find. I would focus on what they tell you but be prepared that things might be different after final pathology.

39andhip

Hi Carol,

Sorry about your diagnosis. As others have said, the chemo and radiation really depends on your particular case. Radiation is fairly standard with breast-conserving surgery (i.e., a lumpectomy) and less common with a mastectomy. Chemo often depends on the tumor characteristics and stage - and waiting for test results can be torture...

My initial plan was lumpectomy + radiation with no chemo, but after two surgeries, I do not have clean margins (meaning there is still cancer), so now the plan is mastectomy with no radiation and no chemo. It really gets easier once you have a plan in place, although as I've learned, that plan might change. I hope you can get a lot of good information from your doctor to help put your mind at ease. The not knowing phases are what have been the toughest part for me.

Best wishes!

Keyla

Thank you sooo much for all the replies and information. I have since asked for, and received a copy of my Pathology report from the biopsy and have an appt with the surgeon on Wednesday, so will know more then

Thanks again, I truly appreciate it.

Carol