Pulmonary Fibrosis in Addition to BC

Options
CorinneM
CorinneM Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
Pulmonary Fibrosis in Addition to BC
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • CorinneM
    CorinneM Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2010

    My mom was diagnosed with IDC one week ago.Three tumors in left breast. Since then tests have revealed she has pulmonary fibrosis, plus hardening of arteries around heart, and an 11-mm mass in her pancreas. Doc says she needs a full mastectomy plus chemo/radiation, but that lung condition could make surgery dangerous. Also waiting for specialist to call and give us an appt so we can find out w1hat the pancreatic tumor actually is...Anyone on this board have any experience with any of this? If the risk involved with surgery worth the outcome? Does BC actually spread to the pancreas?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited February 2010

    Corrine - I don't know the answers to all your questions, but I wanted to bump this up in case someone missed it the first time.  I'm so sorry for all your mom's issues - 12 years ago my dh was mis-diagnosed as having pulmonary fibrosis, so I'm familiar with it.  Fortunately in my husband's case upon further examination by specialists, he was diagnosed with a similar, but less serious, auto-immune lung issue.

    If she's not there already, perhaps your mom needs to be seen by a large cancer center, at least to get a full evaluation and second opinions.  They have much more experience with unusual cases like your mom's and may be able to give her some more answers.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CorinneM
    CorinneM Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2010

    Thank you NetsFan. Your concern is so much appreciated. (I took a peek at your profile. No recurrence is a good place to be. May you continue to be blessed with good news.)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited February 2010

    Thanks Corinne.  Was your mom able to get that appointment with the pancreatic specialist - I hope that happens soon.  It sounds like your mom's going to need a couple of different opinions from doctors on the risk-benefit analysis of various treatments for her b/c.  Good luck to both you and your mom as she makes these decisions. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CorinneM
    CorinneM Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2010

    Yes "Nets." Lung specialist said there is scarring but not enough to prevent surgery. Pancreatic specialist was seen this morning and he believes the "mass" is actually a benign cyst but is confirming via MRI tomorrow. Later today she has to pass stress test and echo-cardiogram (we'll see!), and if she can manage that, she will be cleared for surgery. Things looking better today than yesterday, that's for sure.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited February 2010

    Good news for your mom!  I certainly hope it is a cyst.  

    When my friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, they found it by a CT aimed at pancreatic detection.  (It was barely seen by that.)  She had the mass biopsied going through her stomach or small intestines.  (They used a needle.  So it did NOT involve an abdominal incision.)  It was an outpatient procedure.  She was in at about 9am, and I got to see her in the recovery room at about noon.  She was very healthy otherwise.  I think (not sure) they used conscious sedation. I don't know if they do things differently under different circumstances.

    Best wishes on the MRI and echo!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories