BI-RADS 5. Waiting for Biopsy Results.

Mooshi

Results appointment is set for Wednesday April 5.

Mammogram and ultrasound found two lesions, both under 2cm. The larger one is spiculated, hypoechoic, and vascular with irregular margins. The smaller one, about 1 cm (same breast, next to the larger one) is hypoechoic with irregular margins, and is taller than it is wide.

No signs of skin or chest wall invasion. Lymph nodes look normal.

The report suspects that both lesions are malignant.

I am basically getting prepared at this point to hear it is cancer. I've had a few medical friends / relatives who are nurses and doctors pretty much set me up for it. One did say that she was encouraged by the fact that the lesions seemed "contained." I am hoping for either a miracle, or at the very least, for them to say it is Stage 1, and very easy to treat.

Apart from having a total emotional meltdown last weekend, I have been holding it together like a champ. I also found it helpful to tell everyone I know what I am going through, and the support has been above and beyond. For that I have been so grateful.

Question: can DCIS lesions ever have the above characteristics?

Meow13

I am not sure dcis presents itself on mammogram that way. It sounds like invasive. The stage whether 1 or 2 still has about the same risk. Sounds like no lymph nodes that is good.

As far as being easy to treat you will know more after pathology. Generally lower grade, hormone positive and her2 negative may be considered easier to treat. Treatment is no fun but you move on and try to get back to normal.

Because there are 2 tumors you may want to consider mastectomy. I was horrified with that surgery but plastic surgery is so advanced they can fix it. With the mx you may not need radiation.

Moderators

Hi Mooshi - Sorry you're here and worried, but wanted to say welcome! We know waiting is truly one of the hardest parts, but seems like you're having a great support, and that helps a lot!

If you want you can learn more on the characteristics of DCIS — Ductal Carcinoma In Situ in our main site (just click the link to go straight there).

Please keep us posted on your results.

Best wishes,

The Mods

Mooshi

Meow13 thank you for that info. I guess all that there is to do is stay strong and wait for the news to find out what I'm dealing with.

Regarding treatment, I had the fortune and foresight when I was 29 years old to buy a Critical Illness Insurance plan. (I'm mid-40's now). I never thought in a million years that I might make a claim! But today,I thank God that I bought it! So, at the very least, it can offer me some alternative options other than chemo. I'll have to explore those options if the time comes. All the best.

Mooshi

Mods thank you for the welcome. Of course, I would much rather have been welcomed under different circumstances! Lol.

I will check out the link for DCIS.

Henbane

Hoping for the very best outcome from your biopsy Mooshi. Congratulating you on your foresight to buy insurance. I almost did a couple of years back but held off and then never got around to it (in UK so not required). I am kicking myself now. I have a very small amount saved and am basically going to blow it on this.

Mooshi

Oh, Henbane, I'm so sorry to hear. If it's any consolation, your health is worth every penny. All the best to you.

Mooshi

The 8-day wait to learn the results of my biopsy were the longest in my life. I get the results in the morning. Here goes nothing!

ChiSandy

Fingers crossed, Mooshi! If it turns out to be invasive carcinoma rather than DCIS, don’t despair: you should know that only 20% of breast cancers are DCIS. Ever since mid-2015, all we've been hearing about in the news is DCIS (because of controversies about how aggressively to treat it), so we naturally assume when awaiting the verdict of benign vs. malignant, the “malignant" means DCIS—especially if we didn't have a palpable lump and had years of boring normal mammograms. I was floored, when expecting to hear either “cyst" or “DCIS" to hear the doctor start her sentence with “Invasive ductal…" Then I found out IDC is the commonest form of breast cancer.

Don't be shocked—whatever you find out, you…WILL…get…through…this!!!!

Henbane

Everything crossed for you Mooshie

Mooshi

Results have come in and it is officially Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. All signs point to it being still in Stage 1, which I hope would be the case. They won't know until they test the lymph nodes after the lumpectomy.

It will still be a couple more weeks until I know the hormone receptor and HER2 status.

I do have more questions at this point, but I will start a new thread in the Just Diagnosed section.

The diagnosis didn't come as to much of a shock. When I read the radiology report and understood what it meant, IIet that sink in well before my results appointment. At this rate, I was actually a bit relieved to hear the unofficial stage 1 diagnosis.

On an aside, when I called my mom to tell her the news that it is cancer, and they think it still might be Stage 1, she literally cried out in joy and said, "Oh, I'm so happy!" Haha certainly gives you perspective!

Henbane

Ah Mooshie I've been thinking about you lots and wondering about your results. I'm gutted that it's IDC. Fingers toes and everything crossed that it's stage 1. Wishing you loads of love n luck as you prepare for your treatment. I know it's impossible to imagine right now, but you *will* be fine. xx

Mooshi

Thanks Henbane. I'm doing quite well. In fact, going back to work today lol.

I've built a huge entourage of social support around me, so that has certainly helped. Also looking into some alternative therapies to go through before I get to surgery. Would love to see if I can shrink the tumour by then... maybe avoid the surgery altogether? Hmmm, we'll see. I'm not booked for another 3 weeks anyways so have a bit of time.

All in all, I'm feeling good about everything and hopeful for a great outcome. Much to be grateful for.

Jmen77

hi, I've just created this account as I found a lump last week and had my ultrasound and mammogram today. My GP called me with the news tonight that I actually have 2 lumps one in each breast and they are highly suspicious. So biopsy to come ASAP. I'm not sure what to think at this stage. Extremely apprehensive as I'm only 39 and have 2 children. Reading your comments has made me feel not quite as alone.

Henbane

I think that's the hardest thing Jmen77, the thought of leaving our children. My two are 20 and 22 now but the idea I might leave them was still the very hardest aspect to deal with as I awaiting my biopsy results. Please do take comfort from the fact that something like 80% of lesions biopsied are benign and if they not, well the treatments these days are effective and offer a lot of hope. This forum is amazing and you'll get lots of support here. Good luck with your biopsies, hoping all is well. x