Asking for advice - IDC TN high Ki67 (70%)

carpediem007

Hello to you all,

I want to ask for some advice concerning my partner's BC.

We got the results of the biopsy today and this is what we know:

The tumor seems to be growing pretty fast, as none was found during routine mamography in mid-May but now she has an IDC of 0.8 cm, is triple negative and the Ki67 is very high (70%).

She is supposed to have lumpectomy and sentinel node surgery in the beginning of August because we are supposed to travel to Europe next week till the 31st of July.

Would you suggest we cancel the trip and have the surgery now as the high Ki67 might cause the tumor to grow significantly in three weeks?

Thank you very very much for your input...

Kind regards,

Michael

PS: Our GP was sort of alarmed and is scheduling a PET scan for before the surgery but didn't tell us why he thought an urgent PET scan was necessary.

Anything else we should consider or pay attention to?

Thank you so very much...

Meow13

If you can postpone your trip you may have a better time. It is almost impossible to ignore the cancer tumor and you will probably be worried the whole time. I would wait until after treatment when you can relax more.

carpediem007

Thank you Meow13, much appreciated...

Still looking for suggestions...

farmerlucy

I agree with Meow. That Ki67 rate plus triple negative is concerning. Has the doctor suggested neoadjuvant chemo? I know nothing about chemo but others that do may chime in.

Smurfette26

I agree. If it was me I would postpone the trip but; with the guidance of her medical team ultimately it's your partner's decision.

This site is a wealth of information, experience and offers overwhelming support. Wishing you both well.

carpediem007

Thank you farmerlucy,

unfortunately my partner is absolutely terrified after receiving the TN diagnosis and doesn't want to hear anything or ask any questions about it.

I didn't want to upset her any further so I didn't ask any questions while she was still in the examination room. The doctor (a general practitioner) is very (!) reluctant to speak to me as I am 'only a friend, not married to her'. I am by no means an expert in this field but I have had to go through a similar experience a while back. I lost my wife of 25 years five years ago to TNBC (may her memory be a blessing) and I really don't know what to do now...

On the one hand I don't want to alarm her any more than absolutely necessary, on the other hand, I know what TNBC can do and I could never forgive myself if something happened to her only because I was too sensitive about my love's feelings and fears...

She doesn't even want to acknowledge that it would be preferable to see an oncologist instead of her family doctor and a 'general surgeon'...

I feel I should really put my foot down and be more insistent...

What should I do???

I really need help. I think I know what I have to do, I just need someone to give me a heads-up...

keepthefaith

carpediem, you are in a hard place. I think she is having some denial right now, as can be expected. I am surprised her GP or surgeon did not refer an MO to her already. Maybe you can reach out to a counselor or social worker at her medical facility for ideas on how to do make that suggestion. Sometimes it just takes more information for us to become empowered and move forward, in the right direction. Once she has a treatment plan, she may feel better. Maybe you could suggest the MO as a "second opinion". ...? Meanwhile, stay patient and supportive.

I don't know about post-poning the trip. It might be a good distraction for you both right now, but then, it may not be enjoyable with the cancer looming over your head. I think if it were me, I would try to go unless Dr's suggest otherwise. Maybe you can take another one to celebrate when TX is over!

carpediem007

Thank you all so very much for your suggestions. It helps a lot...

I have just spoken to her again and actually used the 'second opinion approach' as per 'keepthefaith' without knowing about it...

She is in contact with her gp now to have an oncologist involved.

It wasn't easy but I think I did the right thing.

Will know later today, which direction this is taking...

Again, thank you all for your invaluable help.

Any tips or lessons learned I should know about?

Anyone who has / had TNBC with high Ki67 who believes he / she has some information that could be helpful to us?

I'm continuing to search the forum and the net for more information but would very much appreciate your input...

Thank you.

PS: I'm not sure about what netiquette subscribes on this forum and am too nervous to search for an answer... Is it ok to post this in the triple negative thread as well or is cross-posting forbidden?

greenae

hi

I don't know if my story will help? I was diagnosed with TNBC, Ki 67 = 90%, grade 3, January 2015. I had a mastectomy 8 weeks later, then chemo (taxotere and cytoxan x4) started 4 weeks after my mx. Reconstruction surgery was 6 weeks after my last chemo infusion. That was over a year ago. And I am feeling fine! See an oncologist, get a plan in place, and enjoy your trip. Chemo works beston rapidly dividing cells, so don't let that Ki67 get you too crazy. Hugs to both of you

carpediem007

Thank you very much 'greenae'; much appreciated :-)

ruthbru

Cross posting is very much encouraged! Different groups will have different degrees of expertise in various topics. The more you know, the better decisions you will be able to make. Although treatment will probably be aggressive (due to the fact that hormone suppressors won't be of any benefit), a "good" thing about triple negative is that once you hit the 5 year out mark, your risk goes down to that of someone who has never had cancer.

keepthefaith

Michael, good for you! Your partner is lucky to have you on her side!

Best wishes to you both as you move through this difficult time.

((HUGS and prayers))

Terri

carpediem007

Once again, thank you very much for your kind and supportive words keepthefaith :-) Much appreciated...

Back from Berlin on the 30th and although I don't know whether it was the right thing to do from a medical point of view, she thinks it was more than worth it because I made her forget she's sick...

She had a PET/CT on the 31st (no results yet) and an interview with the surgeon who is going to perform the lumpectomy and sentinel node procedure scheduled for the 15th of this month.

Till then we'll be busy with blood-work, colonoscopy, ECG and other assorted 'goodies'...

Her surgeon has (tentatively, pending results of the procedure on the 15th) arranged for chemotherapy and subsequent radiation treatment...

Does all this sound like the 'right' way of doing things?

Smurfette26

So glad that your partner enjoyed the trip.

Surgery then chemo and rads seem "standard". Is the surgery being performed by a general surgeon or a specialist breast surgeon?

Hoping for good clean margins. A Medical Oncologist should be "arranging" her chemo and a Radiation Oncologist her rads.

Remember to look after yourself too.