Multi-focal IDC

DGMK

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with multi-focal idc. 2 small nodules (each under 8mm) in upper right quadrant. Having surgery 11/7 At Sloan Kettering. My surgeon clinically says it's stage 1, ER+ PR+ Her2-, but I am freaking out that there are 2 nodules. Reading that multi-focal is worse than having just one lesion. I'm 58 years old, post menopausal. Surgeon doesn't think nodes are involved and tumors are "well differentiated" but I'm still a basket case. I would love to hear from anyone familiar with this situation.

muska

Hi DGMK, having more than one tumors in the same breast is not rare. I had two - in different quadrants. Both your tumors appear to be small which is good. ER+ is good too because it gives you more treatment options.

Good luck with your surgery!

DGMK

Thank you so much! You are the first friend I have made on this forum. Very nice to meet you. Are you ok now? I am having double mastectomy also. One less this to worry about. Thank you again for responding to me so quickly.

muska

Yes, I am doing well. You will be fine too!

SummerAngel

I agree with muska, multi-focal doesn't mean your situation is worse. Take a look at my signature, my right side had 4 tumors, the largest was 1cm. The left side's tumor was 2.2cm. I didn't end up needing chemo or radiation, and all is well now.

DGMK

That is awesome!!!!! Thank you so much for responding.

inks

I had 18 tumors and I am still around 3 years later, celebrated my 40th birthday this fall. The size and nodal involvement is more important. Given that you might be grade 1 you will do great on hormone therapy. If you have family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer get tested for BRCA mutation, sometimes BRCA has more multifocal/multicentric tumors. You'll do fine if you listen to your doctor.

Meow13

I had 2 one ilc and one idc. I'm 5 years out without recurrence, crossing my fingers. My mo didn't seem at all concerned that I had 2 occurrences.

dtad

Hi guys. I was also multi focal. One being IDC and one being ILC. Both were 1 cm. I had a BMX but no other treatment. I'm 18 months out and so far so good. Good luck to all....

Kimm992

I also had 4 tumors all under 2cm. The doctors didn't feel like that made my prognosis worse. It is actually really common!

Doing well now 1 year out!

Mojo56

Well I WAS multi-focal until they realized I was multicentric. So there are worse things! Ha! I have 5 tumors in my left breast with the largest being 3cm. It is grade 3 and looks like an octopus. I guess the thing is that Breast Cancer in the breast is one thing. It is whether it has spread. I am having a double mastectomy after I am done with chemo. Took just a little of that to realize I don't want to wait and see that they can't find it in the other breast and would have to undergo more chemo. One less thing to worry about.

I think multi-focal is way more common that you might think. It just doesn't get much press because it doesn't change the numbers or the outcome. Hang in there!