Help me understand

Pammac47

I just got a call and I meet with Doctor on the 16th. They have scheduled a second biopsy for the 17th confused as to the why. Anyone? At this point want it all gone like yesterday

momand2kids

Hi

It sounds like your doc is being very thorough--when you seem him/her tomorrrow--- ask what is going on… but you want them to be very thorough at this point--80% of these things are benign….

Can you bring someone to the meeting with you to take notes? Or record it on your phone/digital recorder?

Best of luck-

Pammac47

I have the diagnosis of Adenocarcinoma grade 3 my mass is 5cm +, am going to see surgeon, onocologist and radiologist tomorrow. So yes, I will get answers then. Is it possible to do a more thorough biopsy. First was ultrasound guided mammotome biopsy. Trying to figure out if I will need to call someone to go with so if possible would appreciate knowing if they might be knocking me out

crazystupidbreastcancer

Agree with momand2kids. Your doctor is probably wanting to be extra thorough just to make sure there's not more than 1 tumor in your breast or to see if there's any cancer in your lymph nodes. Have you gotten any more imaging of your breasts? Typically, they should do another mammogram or MRI. This time, including both breasts. This will help your breast surgeon and oncologist figure out a treatment plan.

Hang in there! The first month or so after a diagnosis is overwhelming. You're doing the waiting game, then being shuffled to all these doctors, and having all this information thrown at you. If you have a close friend or family member that be there and help take notes--or serve as an extra ear, that helps. If you can't find anyone, you can also use the voice memos on an iPhone, which records conversations.

Pammac47

oh thank you, yes I have best friend going with. As well as advice on recording. Guess I'm going to be hit with a lot of unexpecteds. Hate all this !! At least it's being addressed, so that's good

Savi

Hi, I would recommend you taking someone with you for support and taking notes. I was diagnose with early stage breast cancer Dec 24, 2015 and didn't want to ruin anyone's holiday so I kept it to myself until 2016. Talk to other survivors and ask a lot of questions, remember no question is "stupid". Good luck.

Moderators

Savi, welcome to Breastcancer.org, and thanks for chiming in with such great advice!

Pammac47

Savi,

I did the same sort of I found lump Dec 15th and did not want to ruin Christmas. Kept to myself until Dec 28th. Funny how we consider others. Thank you and I will record stuff. I think I am mostly scared because I am alone. No husband, mom has mobility issues and daughter is in another state with young ones. Had a guy, but since this he has a roman eye. And yes, I knew before I was better off without, but the heart is a very dumb accomplice. The pros I really do have good friends!! I used to work in healthcare and I'm scared of this. I know it ain't good and as strong as people tell me I am. Hell I don't feel it. I fall apart at home in private and here. And I really can't thank you all enough for being there. That's all I go

keepthefaith

Pammac, I hope your appt goes well tomorrow. Remember you are NOT alone. Everyone here gets it and are happy to support and listen to your venting, concerns, etc. It is scary, but just take one day at a time and try not to think too far ahead. Once you get more information and a treatment plan started, it will be easier, at least mentally! Best wishes moving forward.

Kicks

Write down all of your questions and give a copy to yiur Dr so can be addressed. Use your smart phone (or a tape recorder) to record what you are told so you can review it later if you need to. If your questions are not answered so you understand what is said - keep asking until he/she explains so YOU understand.

Pammac47

To all,

No second biopsy necessary. At this time I am doing MRI on the 26th and axillary ultrasound. Supposed to do genetic testing and am working on forms. They did blood work. I have IDC and preliminary staging. Need cardio work up prior to surgery as well. That's all I've got right now. Thank you all for your well wishes.

Pam

Nextyear

I had two MRIs with contrast and ultrasound on both breasts. They found small lumps throughout. Ten years ago I had a lumpectomy. The dr just went in and removed, no biopsy. I would prefer the same now. It's going to be three weeks till biopsy. I have to meet with surgeon, she has to put order in for biopsy, then I make appointment. its seems too long. I just want the lumps removed. Suggestions

ChiSandy

Nextyear, I understand your impatience and frustration--we all wanted it out NOW. But if you simply go in and get the lump(s) removed and the diagnosis is breast cancer, you’d need to go back into surgery for clean margins and at least sentinel node biopsy (unless it’s pure and low-grade DCIS). The total time frame would be the same or longer, and you’d be dealing with the hassles & pains of multiple surgeries and recoveries. Hang in there--biopsy time will come soon enough.

MelissaDallas

And if you just cut out benign lumps for no reason you create scarring in your breast that could make future mammograms hard to read to the point they could miss it next time if it WAS cancer.

iammags

I don't know why I didn't take notes when I first saw my BS. She went over pathology with me and I thought that I understood it at the time. Now, after reading it again for the umpteenth time, I'm seeing something different. I have to ask my BS about it but since she's out of the office until Monday I thought that maybe I could ask it here.

I have 2 lesions. I thought that one was DCIS and the other IDC. Now I'm reading the report to say that I have 2 IDC with DCIS in both. I'm not sure that I understand that. Both DCIS are thought to be Grade 3.

Any words of wisdom?

LisaAlissa

Hi iammags!

Do you have a copy of the BCO Your Guide to the Breast Cancer Pathology Report? If not, print out a copy and then sit down with it and your pathology report. It can be very helpful.

Separately, and very generally speaking, if you have IDC, treatment for that "trumps" any and all DCIS you may have. That is, the treatment is geared to dealing with the invasive disease (IDC), and the non-invasive (DCIS) will be dealt with at the same time.

Surgery would be used to remove both. But other treatment would be based on the IDC diagnosis (you can essentially ignore the DCIS).

HTH,

LisaAlissa

ChiSandy

My core biopsy said there was “associated DCIS,” but the surgical pathology report found only IDC--specifically said “no DCIS present.” Unless the IDC tumor is large or aggressive, it’s the surgical path report that will drive your treatment plan.

iammags

Thanks. I'm not so confused about treatment. I'm having surgery on March 2nd so they'll stage it and then I'll know what the treatment plan is.

My question is more about the lesion itself. Can the IDC have DCIS inside of it? That is what the pathology of the core biopsy seems to say. I've tried looking it up but I haven't been able to find an answer.

Pammac47

Nextyear,

I understand your frustration also, but your are getting very sound reasons for the wait. I know why I must have the tests prior to surgery. I would rather take a bit of time and get it right than rush and miss any of it. I was given a preliminary stage that's concerning but also told could go up. And I only want to do surgery once!! I also have to do genetic testing Tuesday cause I have the cancer family tree. I have a cardio work up as well cause my BP was up there-well duh!! The MRI is friday the 26th, so will have better idea soon. Can I say frustrating, but necessary. We all want to be through to the other side and on our way. Hey we want to live!!! These women have been there too and their advice and strength do help if we just listen.

Pam