How will we know

JanDun1
JanDun1 Member Posts: 52
edited June 2014 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

Hi,

I was diagnosed 6-10-08 with ILC in left breast. Had adjuvant chemo 4ac, 4 taxol, bi-lateral mast and 6 weeks of radiation. Am now on Tamoxifen. My question is: Since ILC grows in sheets rather than lumps, and since I no longer have breasts, how can a recurrence ever be detected?

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  • hlya
    hlya Member Posts: 484
    edited August 2009

    I have the same question as you and tried hard to find a certain answer,  but nothing sure yet. My surgeon just said I should feel a lump around the area by my finger.

    Would MRI help? I think so....

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  • LoriL
    LoriL Member Posts: 185
    edited August 2009

    Great question- I've been wondering the same! My Onc. said that usually if there is a local recurrence after mast, it typically shows up as a skin lesion near the incision. 

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  • Survivor07
    Survivor07 Member Posts: 71
    edited August 2009

    My doctor told me that recurrence would look like a bug bite that never goes away or an irritation on the skin (a rash thing) that doesn't get any better.

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  • Sue-61
    Sue-61 Member Posts: 599
    edited August 2009

    They nurse practitioner from the BS office said to check along the incision line. If you feel a lump, let us know. As far a looking for mets..............she had little advice.  I had bilateral mastectomies and a seroma, so the area on one side looks pretty weird anyway. I guess it will be hit or miss if I find something.........

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  • JanDun1
    JanDun1 Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2009

    Thanks ladies. Your info has been helpful. My Onc doc told me he wouldn't tell me what to look for. He feels if he gives people symptoms to look for, we'll freak ourselves into thinking we have those symptoms when there is really a simple explanation for a pain here or a twinge there.

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