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Seven11
Seven11 Member Posts: 162
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I think I've hit my first full panic mode.  I have been posting this all over the board, but no one has responded.

 I am not blaming anyone, I'm just impatient.  

I had 6 nodes removed in August, 1 was positive - IDC - I did 6 TCH txs that ended on 12/24.  I am continuing H alone for a year.  There was still a palpable mass in the right breast, so the surgeon recommended mx.  I chose to have the other one removed as well.

Surgery was Wednesday - surgeon said the remaining nodes were fine, so it was a simple mx.  I got the path report last night.  There was extensive DCIS and a 1.4 cm IDC in the right breast.  The left was clear.  The doctor got clear margins.

For some reason, this has me freaked out.  I was hoping the IDC would be gone.  Would you consider this a success?  I am worried that they will recommend more chemo, even though no one has ever mentioned it to me.  I am going to do rads when the incision heals.

I just wish that I could wrap this all up in a neat little box, but I find I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.  

Any advice/words of wisdom?

Thank you.

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited January 2009

    klfh,

    after my chemo I had remaining tumor, DCIS to be exact. There are quite a few woman that have "something left over". I remember my onc saying a complete pathological response happens in about 20% of the cases.

    The idea of the chemo first is to shrink the tumor successfelly so the surgeon can remove the breast. The radiation you will be having will clear things up. The important thing in your path report was:

    Clear Margins & remaining lymph nodes clear

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  • celia088
    celia088 Member Posts: 2,570
    edited January 2009

    klfh, like you, i would also not know what to do in this situation and would be wondering about it like you are doing.  My suggestion is, that this is the time for you to get a 2nd opinion from another oncologist who is highly recommended, but not another onc from your onc's team, as a team onc would be most likely to back up what your onc has said.  You can get your slides for the 2nd opinion and submit them.  The oncologist will understand the need for the 2nd opinion when there is a difference of opinion about what to do between you and your onc. Btw, did you have a Sentinal Node Biopsy of the breast that had the extensive DCIS? I couldn't quite follow what exactly happened to which breast in your post.

    I hope you get some answers so that you feel less anxious and have a clearer idea of what to do next.  Good luck!!

    celia 

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  • Seven11
    Seven11 Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2010

    Sorry I was being confusing.  My surgeon did the snb back in August.  One of six was positive for IDC.  This time, she looked at my nodes (didn't remove any) when she did the mx and said they were fine. All of this has been on my right side. (although I had the left breast removed by choice).

    Thanks.

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  • Seven11
    Seven11 Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2010

    Thanks Madalyn,

     Yes the original tumor was about 8 cm, although I don't know how much was DCIS and how much was IDC.  I know, I need to keep my mind focused on all of the good news.  This really has been my first panic since treatment began.

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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited January 2009

    Wow and 8 cm tumor is pretty large.  In my opinion, which offically means nothing  LOL, but I would bet you did enough chemo since your nodes were clear that the onc will feel comfortable having you do your year of herceptin and move on with your life.  there is a slight chance he will recommend more chemo but I honestly don't know why considering you will be on herceptin for the next year which should take care of any stray cancer hanging out.

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  • Carolina59
    Carolina59 Member Posts: 232
    edited January 2009
    Hi klfh,
    I had a 10 cm DCIS tumor. My breast surgeon said that chemo will not shrink DCIS, only IDC. So I had TCH after bilateral mast. (cancer in both breasts). I had multi-focal IDC within the DCIS. I think since you've done the surgery and they got clean margins, you will probably not need more chemo.
    But, I too, would recommend a 2nd opinion so that YOU feel comfortable with your tx plan.
    Best,
    Carolina
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  • Seven11
    Seven11 Member Posts: 162
    edited October 2010

    Hi all,

    Thank you again for the sanity check.  The OncoDoc said no more chemo - just rads and my 1 year of Herceptin.  YAY!

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