Radiologist says cancer, waiting for biopsy

SkiChick86

Hi everyone,

My saga is fairly long but essentially I went in today for an ultrasound of a large lump that I was previously looked at (via ultrasound) in April. At that time I was told it was just regular fibrocystic breast changes and they left it at that - no mammogram or further testing. I have since gotten pregnant with my second child (I'm 19 weeks along) and have had some bloody nipple discharge as well as pain which prompted me to go in again. The lump may have grown as well, I'm honestly not sure.

At the ultrasound they found two masses that weren't there at the previous ultrasound. They did a mammogram and the radiologist came back and told me she is almost certain it is cancer due to the calcifications she saw on the mammogram. She ordered a biopsy and I am having it done tomorrow morning. I will hopefully get the results by Friday afternoon. However, at this point I am operating under the assumption that it is indeed cancer. I am in shock and obviously quite terrified for myself, my pregnancy, my two-year-old son, etc. I tried to listen and take in everything the radiologist was saying, but I wasn't able to get everything and I had some questions come up after I left. I will try to clarify all of this tomorrow, but in the meantime I am wondering:

1) Do you either have DCIS OR invasive ductal cancer? Or can you have both? The radiologist noted she saw quite a bit of DCIS in the mammogram but there are also two masses. I am assuming the masses mean it has spread beyond the ducts and is now invasive (and therefore no chance of it being stage 0).

2) Does anyone know anything about the likelihood of cancer that developed quickly during pregnancy being estrogen receptor negative? I read that cancer in young women (I'm 30) is more likely to be ER-, but my mom had ER+ cancer in her 50s and I am thinking that mine likely was activated/aggravated by my pregnancy. Thoughts on this?

I realize these may be doctor-only questions, but I am new to all of this and pretty desperately seeking answers where I can find them, so I appreciate any thoughts or responses in advance.

Meow13

It was the radiologist that told me mine was cancer. Mammo then ultrasound and then the sad face, she said I've been looking at these a longtime it sure looks like cancer. And it was. As far as er pr status, I don't think you are more likely to be negative because of your age. About 80% are hormone positive. Once you get more information you will feel better.

Hopeful82014

I'm so sorry that you're facing this at such a time. That's really tough.

It is possible to have both DCIS and IDC - probably many/most of us with IDC have/had some DCIS, too. And while I'm certainly not an oncologist, I've read enough to think that it's entirely possible that your pregnancy could have promoted the growth of those masses. And, IF it's cancer, it could be HR+.

I hope the biopsy goes smoothly and that you'll get your results quickly so that you have solid answers and information to work with. Good luck.

SkiChick86

Thanks ladies. An additional question: can DCIS present as a palpable mass? As I said I have a HUGE lump that looked like normal breast tissue on the original ultrasound. The masses they found were inside the huge lump, but didn't encompass the whole thing. I'm trying to figure out what this thing is, if it isn't all IDC.