mass size

falcon62

Hello,

I am new to this site. I was just recently diagnosed with ILC I am scheduled for surgery next week. I have a question. I first noticed a rather large hardened area on my left breast. About 2 inches long I had 3 d Mammogram, Ultra sound and an image guided core biopsy. My pathology report says that my mass is only 3mm in size. Which is great news! But what concerns me, Is what am I feeling? 3mm is very tiny so I am confused and worried that my mass might actually be larger . Has anyone else had this same experience with ILC?

Moderators

Hi falcon and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

We are so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but we are really happy you've found us. You're sure to find our community an incredible source of information, advice and support.

We're sure someone will be by shortly who can help answer your questions, but we wanted to at least welcome you!

--The Mods

Anonymous

You won't know the actual size until it's out, usually. Scans are good, but the surgery to remove it will carry all the answers. Sometimes--actually often--what the initial size is according to scans is different from post-surgery.

Size often doesn't matter--it's the grade and hormone status of the tumor that matters, if it's moved into lymph nodes, etc. And even then that doesn't seem to matter as much as we would think. Surgery, tx, regular follow ups, lifestyle changes (if necessary) can be the real "saviors" for us.

It sounds small regardless. Take heart in that, and get it out, get whatever tx is recommended and remember it's temporary, and then you can move on.

Hugs

Claire in AZ

falcon62

Thank you Claire

I just do not know anyone with ILC. Most people I have encountered had or have IDC. Which is similar but also different.

Karen

Anonymous

I know; I didn't know anyone with it (ILC) either. And my surgeon terrified me and my mom when he (rather mistakenly) told her that ILC was "extremely rare". Ha, I found out later that is is the second most common type of BC which for some reason relieved a lot of my terror. Rare sounded like "hard to treat" to me. I also found out that ILC is often less aggressive than IDC, further relieving some overwhelming fear in the beginning. Point is, don't always believe the first report from physicians, no matter who they are.

ILC is a bit of a different animal in that it tends to be more multi-focal and hide from mammograms. Those two reasons, coupled with my very dense breasts which already hide problems, led me to make the decision to get my BMX after radiation and chemo. I didn't trust mammos as I had several "clear" ones that didn't reveal the c. as it should have, because it was ILC, and I didn't want to worry about any more "misses". When I got my pathology report back post BMX there was some hyperplasia in the "good" breast, so I was glad I went forward with the surgery even though I miss having sensation in my breasts now.

Claire

falcon62

Thank you Claire for your insight on this subject. The only things that I know for sure right now are .

ER/PR + HER2- tumor grade 2 and 3 mm tumor size as of now. I went ahead and opted for the mastectomy due to the fact that my sister had IDC and after lumpectomy and radiation she still ended up with a mastectomy. I know my decision might seem a little radical to some since it is supposedly so tiny right now. But from what I have read about how it is more like a net or spiderweb instead of a lump. I feel it best to just be done with it. Plus my concerns are if it does not form a lump what the heck am I feeling?

I am happy to hear that you are doing well and are glad about your decision. I am sure the loss of sensation far outweighs having the constant fear of recurrence.

hugs to you,

Karen

nash

Karen, the 3mm on the path report is most likely just the sample size they got on the core biopsy. Your final mass size will be determined after surgery, like Claire said. If you have a breast MRI prior to surgery, it will give a better idea of true size, and in some cases, even overstate the size.

And not to be an alarmist, but local recurrences are possible post-mastectomy (although the percentage is small), and surgery decision (lump or mx) has no bearing on whether a patient may later become metastatic.

falcon62

thank you Nash for your input. And yes you are right about recurrence even after Masectomy. Being diagnosed when otherwise healthy was just a shock to my system. I never dreamed I would be in this situation. I am sure there are many other women that feel the same way. After watching my sister go through her treatment. I just decided to go ahead and get the masectomy and pray that it will be taken care of. So much is thrown at you all at once. Then you are asked to make a decision between lumpectomy or masectomy. All while there are still unanswered questions that you wont get answers to until after surgery. I am so happy to have found this site. There is so much knowledge on here. Thank you so much

Karen

nash

Karen,I agree, it’s terribly overwhelming, and like you said, one has to make quick decisions with limited information.

I wish overall health would have more of an impact on being diagnosed or not, but it unfortunately doesn’t. I always tell people I’d be healthy as a horse if it wasn’t for the stupid cancer, which I am on my third go around with now.

I’m glad you found this site, too. I’ve always learned more from other patients than from the doctors.

Mucki1991

there is no need to feel rushed. Take your time deciding breast cancer typically does not grow really fast and these choices will have lifelong impacts.

falcon62

Prayers for you Nash. Sounds like you have really been through it. I agree with you about overall Health. It is really sad.

Bless you

Karen

falcon62

Muck1991 I am scheduled for surgery this coming Monday April 9th. I feel confident in the decision I have made. It all can just be so overwhelming but I am one to give my best shot first and go from there. I figured a breast was nothing that I have to have to live. It will not effect my ability to do my job nor will it effect my ability to still be me. My husband and I sat down and weighed the pros and cons of both options. And Masectomy seems to be the best option for me. I am just so pleased to be able to connect with other women with knowledge in this area.

Hugs to you

Karen

nash

Thank you, Karen. Good luck with surgery Monday, and please keep us posted on things.