Did your cancer grow or multiply....

vampeyes

Does anyone know if their cancer grew or multiplied before their surgery? Maybe it's all in my head or a certain time in my cycle, but it hurts and it feels like there are more lumps. The pain is almost like when you are breastfeeding and you are so full of milk you need to pump or feed to get relief. Anyone else feel that? Count down to surgery date ous on.... 9 more sleeps!

Kicks

I did not breast feed either of my Sons so have no clue what it feels like. Also I was 19 yrs post menopause when DXd.

Most BCs are not rapid in growth. But some types are more aggressive than others. Also the ER/PR and HER2 status come into play.

My IBC did continue to grow in the 17 days from DX to starting TX - neoadjuvant chemo (4 DD A/C). There are not many IBCers - only between 1 - 4% of all these of BC.

vampeyes

Thank you Kicks for your response. I don't know much other than that I have cancer, after the surgery and pathology report comes back I will know more. I had an epiphany this am, maybe my underwire is irritating it, thus making it swell. I guess I will know eventually what is going on.

keepthefaith

vampeyes, My BS told me that mine had grown in size from the biopsy to the Lumpectomy. I'm not sure how much. I had a core biopsy. It was 30 days between the biopsy and surgery. You can see my stats below. It's a hard place to be while you are waiting to have your surgery. Take one day at a time! It will be here soon! Best wishes.

gb2115

My tumor grew about 0.1 cm in the 4 weeks between initial mammogram and surgery, so it grew but not a lot.

Do you think you are sore from biopsy? Or are you poking at your breast a lot, or constantly checking it? I"m asking because I did that and it made it hurt more.

vampeyes

Hi gb2115,

I guess I could be sore from the biopsy, but that was over 2 weeks ago. I think the biopsy angered the cancer! Haha I try not to constantly check it, usually only when I have discomfort going on. I guess it could be anything, could be a certain time in my cycle causing the issues. 1 more week till surgery, countdown is on!

gb2115

Or maybe your breast is already irritated and cycle changes are making it worse?

Only a week left, yay!! They are going to be all over that breast during wire placement and surgery so if there is anything else going on I imagine it would be noticed.

MamaFelice

I remember wondering such as well..... I still do! I find it odd how my mammogram suspected a 1cm lump and I ended up with 2.5 cm tumor after lumpectomy. I then chose to have a mastectomy and my pathology reported an additional 5.5 cm mass that was undetected by the mammogram. There were also 10/11 nodes with disease. We were all floored! I thanked God I chose mastectomy or it may never have been found.

I just think it is crazy when I recall how this all started with early stage BC with 1cm lump and over a couple of months escalated into stage 3c with 2.5cm + 5.5cm and total of 12/14 nodes involved! Did it grow and spread over that period of time? Docs say no-- that they never really know what exists until they do surgery. I have dense breasts and the cancer likes to bend and hide in dense tissue.

So hang in there and feel good that your surgery is almost here and you will have answers soon! Also-- listen to your gut! I believe it is a window to our body! Hugs to you!! 🦋💗

Shellsatthebeach

My cancer was shrinking throughout treatment to the point it was hard for my last ultrasound to detect. The day of surgery my surgeon said it feels like a new growth. She was right. When they cut me open they found cancer that was her2 positive. In a small percentage of cases her2 negative can change after chemo.

swg

I think it just goes to show that all these diagnostic tests can still miss things, unfortunately