Need info ASAP please- test to find out of cancer spread?

simoneg

I was diagnosed with ILC in my left breast, stage 1 in August of 2016.

I have not been back to the doctor since (for several reasons).

For the past few weeks, I have felt pain in my chest, both breasts, and a tightening in my chest. I think I have seen a doctor a handful of times in my entire life so nothing phases me, so for me to notice these things, says alot.

What test do I need to find out if the tumor has grown, cancer has spread to lymph nodes and/or beyond? Will an utrasound be able to show if spread to the lymph nodes?

Any and all feedback greatly appreciated.

THANK YOU.

pupmom

You have to talk with your doctor. After I was diagnosed, I had a CT and bone scan. Both, fortunately, were fine. But those, and biopsies, are the only ways to really know. Have you had surgery yet?

Tpralph

simoneg: they will probably want to do another mammogram and ultrasound possible mri as well. if you haven't had surgery they will want to remove it and look at the lymph nodes to see if there is a chance it has spread. Ofcourse there is a vascular route for metastasis as well.

However the breast cancer may be a red herring and you could be having heart issues. See you family doctor as well to rule this out. Any nausea? shortness of breath/ dizziness when the symptoms occur? are they there all the time or only occasionally?

There are other things your symptoms could be but you need to see someone asap please

simoneg

I only had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy to detect and diagnose. No surgery or other treatment.

I doubt that it could have spread much in 8 months, especially since ILC, but I've heard that everyone is different, and contrary to popular belief, breast cancer can spread through the blood.

After I was diagnosed, I came across several women who were not happy with the doctor/center I went to-said that they were incompetent-that they missed their cancer or told them their cancer was much worse than it was, so wary about going back there.

But, I have coverage through the BCCTP Healthy Woman Program in PA so not a lot besides initial diagnosis is covered.

Anyone else near Philadelphia who knows of place that takes HWP and has low copays?

I'm supposed to start a new job on Monday and would like to know status ASAP.

THANK YOU.

pupmom

After core needle biopsy, I was diagnosed with ILC. But following surgery, my diagnosis was changed to IDC with ILC characteristics. I was also told, based on MRIs and ultrasounds, that I had no nodal involvement. You can see from my diagnosis that this was incorrect. Bottom line is that you will not know what is really going on until surgery. Best wishes!

Anonymous

You don't say if you had + lymph nodes or not, but I did. Because I'm high risk, I see my doc no less than ever six months, and it was every three for the first 1-2 years. Every single time I get a CBC done (blood test), and MO looks for liver enzyme increases, calcium increases, etc. which can indicate an underlying problem, like a recurrence.

I'd call the oncologist or doc that made the dx, make an appt, let them do a CBC and then let that doc tell you what to do next.

Claire