New Here and Worried

jenniferjeffries

My mother in law was just diagnosed with IDC. She is 71 and not internet savy. I am looking for any PDF info that I can print out for her. We are in Southern California, I am looking into City of Hope. Does anyone have any experiences there?

Here is what I know. Her biopsy confirmed it is IDC that has spread to 25% of the breast tissue and is a grade 2, which I am learning is different than a stage 2. it is 3/4 centimeter.

Her regular doctor said she is looking at a lumpectomy and radiation. Isn't that premature? Wouldn't you want to do surgery first to determine lymph involvement? What if they get in there to do the lumpectomy, see its spread and then tell her afterward that she needs to have chemo or do a mastectomy?

This is so overwhelming. God Bless all of you strong women...stay strong.

Again, if you can recommend a site with downloads, I would be most appreciative.

Jen

plumster1

Hi Jen- I'm sorry to hear about your mother in law. So nice of you to be so proactive for her. If you fill out the profile you made for her with the information you know so far regarding diagnosis and potential treatments articles will link to your profile. They are very informative and should be helpful. Plus, there is a ton of information on ths site in general so you have come to the right place.

I am also from Southern California. I am in Orange County though. so I was not treated at City of Hope. Many look into NCI treatment centers (national cancer institute). I was treated at UCI which is. Many of the most current technologies and thinking are practiced at these centers.

Looks from what you said above she has a grade 2 IDC 7-8mm in size. Stage is based on the size of the tumor. Therefore, she looks to be stage 1. Grade is based on the aggressiveness of the tumor. It runs fom 1-3. 1 being slow growing to 3 being very aggressive. Other things she might have learned from her biopsy are if the tumor is fueled by hormones (EStrogen receptor and progestrone receptor positive) and if it over expresses a protein called HER2.

Her doctor saying a lumpectomy and radiation is not necessarily premature. She might have an MRI ordered next. That could double check the size they think it is, check for cancer in other areas of her breasts and lymph node involvement. If no surprises there, then an Lx could totally be appropriate. Most Lx have a sentinal node biopsy with them. That will check for lymph node involvement. Once final pathology has been returned many have a test called the Oncotype DX. This tests her specific tumor to see what her 10 year risk of distant metasis is and whether chemo would benefit her. Then either chemo is done or if no chemo needed radiation begins. I should say there are situations where chemo is done before surgery. But, from my understanding it involves usually larger tumors or more aggresive pathologies. As you can see, there are lots of moving parts to a Dx and Tx. It's best to take it step by step. Stick to researching from reliable resources like here and feel free to ask as many questions are you (she) needs. Hope this helps and keep us posted

jenniferjeffries

you are awesome for replying so quickly. Thank you for the info. You are right, I forgot to mention it, yes she is having an MRI on Friday. I do not know about the hormones and HER2. I've not seen the biopsy results but am relying on her review and she didn't say anything about that. I'm going up to her house tomorrow to read the results. This is just so overwhelming. Again, thank you for the info.

Meow13

Jennifer, I wanted to give you a link there is a number you can call and ask if her doctor sends for the symphony tests,

http://knowyourbreastcancer.com/symphony-test/

These days they are getting more focused on what the cancer is made up of. Treating a bit more personalized.

Moderators

jenniferjeffries, welcome to Breastcancer.org! So sorry for what brings you here... but this is a great place to come for information. We suggest you to take a look also at this link from our main site for more information on IDC — Invasive Ductal Carcinoma diagnosis, treatments etc.

Hope this helps!

The Mods

plumster1

Jennifer- keep us posted as things evolve. Hope everything goes well for your mother in law.

peggy_j

Welcome to BC.org. I hope you find a lot of information and support here.

When I was first diagnosed I couldn't believe how much there was to learn. In addition to the web, there are in-person resources. Many cancer centers have a person called the "nurse navigator" and she can help get you and your mother-in-law educated on the medical issues and answer questions as they arise. (I had an appt with my NN the day before meeting my surgeon and other docs, so it she was able to educate me; I was better prepared for my appointments; then she was available to meet in person or on the phone, any time.). There are also great support services at different cancer support centers. Some will help you as you research treatment options.

In terms of ongoing support, I was happily surprised that many of the cancer centers offer support services for free, even if you aren't being treated there. (I got a free chair massage at one, after I had my free appointment with a nutritionist, and I wasn't being treated there).

I can imagine this is all new and scary for you. My surgeon told me that yes, breast cancer is scary but it's rarely a dire emergency. So we can take time to research our options, select a surgeon, get second opinions (or....wait a week for my insurance company to OK my breast-MRI--arg!).

And...don't forget to take care of yourself--care for the care giver. Hope you're able to take a little time for yourself each day.

(((hugs)))

jenniferjeffries

thank you all for replying. Last week we found via an MRI and subsequent biopsy that the cancer is in the left breast too. In addition, she is estrogen and progesterone positive. We went to City of Hope and they were awesome. The dr believes it is stage 1 and that she should be fine with a double lumpectomy and radiation. From my reading, I believe that can change after surgery when they know for sure about the lymphs. Surgery is set for 3 weeks from now. So I guess we wait.

I hope all of you ladies are feeling well today.

Jem

mustlovepoodles

Thankfully, we have the option of having lumpectomies now. Back when I graduated nursing school (1970s), it was very common for a woman to go to surgery not knowing what would happen. The surgeon would send a lump to the lab, who would determine on the spot if there was any cancer. If there was--wham!--the whole breast was lopped off. Lots of women woke up to find that they had had a mastectomy. I even took care of one woman who had the "orange peel" skin, which is common with breast cancer. Her doctor did a radical mastectomy, only to find NO cancer anywhere in the breast! The doctor was kind of blasé about it--you know the type, "Sometimes things happen, medicine is a art, not my fault, blahblahblah. I was furious! This poor woman had just sacrificed her breast for NOTHING and nobody seemed to care!

We are so fortunate today to have good diagnostics-- digital mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, and genetic testing. Today's chemo is so much better and the radiation therapy is more targeted than it was 40 years ago. The things they did to my grandmother in 1969 just wouldn't happen today.