Invasive poorly differentiated duct carcinoma ER+/PR-/HER2-

AvaG

I was recently diagnosed with invasive poorly differentiated duct carcinoma, anaplastic, ER+/PR-/HER2-. Lymph nodes tested negative for carcinoma. I had a MRI today and provided that it doesn't show anything new, I have a lumpectomy scheduled for Tuesday. We will know more about the treatment after they analyze the tumor, but I am terrified of treatment. I am 43 years old and otherwise perfectly healthy and the thought of how chemo and hormone blockers can ravage my body keeps me up at night. I am trying to take it one day at a time but my nerves are threadbare.

NorCalS

Hi AvaG.

It is terrifying when you first get the diagnosis. I was 47 and pretty healthy (so I thought)when I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. I was in shock, but once I had a plan in place (I also researched before my consult with My oncologist), I felt more calm. There will be a lot of people on this site that can give you some great advice and support. You will get through this.

AliceBastable

AvaG, I'm sorry you had to join this group. People more knowledgeable about your type of cancer and treatment will come along to discuss those in detail. In the meantime, from three years on this site, I can tell you that chemo and hormonal treatment in no way are guaranteed to ravage your body. Most of the women undergoing chemo carry on their normal lives, working and working out and everything else they'd normally do - with just some adjustment for infusion time and manageable side effects. Hormone therapy is just a daily pill for most people; only a small minority have difficulties, and in those instances, the type of pill can be switched until finding one that works with your particular body. It's too early for you to assume problems that may not occur. Good luck with your surgery and treatment.

AvaG

thank you- this helped me more than you kno

ElaineTherese

Hi AvaG!

I'm sorry that you are here and losing sleep about possible treatments. At this point, you don't even know if you need chemo, so don't worry about it! Since your tumor is ER+, your doctor will send it out for the Oncotype Test, which will determine whether or not the benefits of chemo outweigh the risks. Due to the Oncotype Test, a greater number of breast cancer patients find that they can safely skip chemo.

As for chemo itself, it's doable. I did five months of chemo and worked through it, though not everyone can. Yep, I lost my hair, but it grew back. The worst thing about it is that the chemo left my eyelashes sparse. But, hey, that's what false eyelashes are for, no? As for hormonal therapy, I've been on Aromasin for over six years, and it's manageable. (I'm on the seven year plan.) Yep, some people get bad side effects from hormonal therapy, and they post the most on this site. Nevertheless, there are many of us out here who tolerate the treatment just fine. ((Hugs))

AvaG

I just got the MRI results and my lump is 4cm instead of 2cm. I’m opting for a mastectomy (instead of lumpectomy with radiation) at Cornell Weill NY Presbyterian. My nerves are fried, but I think this is ultimately the right choice

AliceBastable

I hope you get another, better surprise on the size when you have surgery. All the imaging sees it differently and it's not as exact as anyone would like. We don't know for sure until the final pathology.

ElaineTherese

The ultrasound said that my tumor was 3.9 cm; the MRI said that my tumor was 5 cm. So, yes, different imaging will produce different sizes! Since my cancer was HER2+, I did chemo first (before surgery), and no active cancer was left after that. Hence, I'll never know what the lump's true size was. In the end, I'm not sure it made much of a difference.

Best of luck with your surgery! Only YOU know what surgical option is right for you. ((Hugs))

AvaG

they offered chemo before but I thought that surgery first was the safer option bc it gets it out quickly. However, the more I read the more I’m confused..

ElaineTherese

AvaG,

Surgery is localized treatment in that it removes the cancer from your breast. Radiation is also localized treatment because it is designed to "mop up" stray cells left over from surgery. In contrast, chemo and hormonal therapy are systemic treatment. Cancer cells can leave the breast area and travel around your body through your bloodstream and/or lymph system, looking for a new home. Chemo can kill those cells, and hormonal therapy can starve those cells of estrogen.

Plenty of women do surgery first and do chemo and/or hormonal therapy later. Don't worry about it!

AvaG

you were so right about not knowing anything until after the pathology report! My tumor was only 1.9cm, not 4cm, and they ultimately staged it at stage 1, not 2 like the first doctor said after the needle biopsy. Thank you so much for your messages of encouragement.

SarahSmilesatMe

Hi AvaG - I’m a bit older; diagnosed at 58 in 2019. Stage 1; no lymph involvement; ER+, PR-, HER2-, high oncotype score. The recommendation was 4 rounds of Cytoxan and Taxotere, followed by radiation, and then Letrozole. Ironically, I told my Onc that I needed a few days to “say yes” to chemo. Really??? I look back on that statement now and almost laugh at myself. I took 2 days and then I called and said “how soon can I start?” As others have said,I also found the chemo regimen very doable. I was blessed in that I had very few and manageable side effects. After the first round, I remember thinking “this is not bad at all.” Chemo is cumulative, so each round took me a bit longer to bounce back; however, I still felt well enough to trick-or-treat with the Grandkids, have Thanksgiving, Christmas shop, decorate, and celebrate holidays and birthdays, etc. I cold-capped so I never lost ALL my hair, iced my hands and feet to help prevent neuropathy, and meds helped with the fever and constipation. I temporarily lost my sense of taste. It’s an individual decision, but I’m glad I said “yes…”. Hopefully, you may not even cross this bridge!

Please keep us updated as you learn more… I’ll be thinking of you and hoping for the best in your treatment!

AvaG

thank you Sarah! Stories like yours are really encouraging and help me sleep a bit better. Did you have a mastectomy as well?

moth

Ava, do you mean Stage 1 vs 2 or Grade 1 vs 2? Pathology usually gives Grade, not Stage.

SarahSmilesatMe

Hi AvaG - I had a lumpectomy. My surgeon advised that I would be ok with a lumpectomy and I went with her recommendation. That is the one decision that I sometimes wonder about … should I have pressed for a mastectomy? But, as the saying goes, time will tell.

AvaG

I asked my surgeon the stage and she responded “it is stage 1" ( Although i don’t see it written on my pathology report. )