Pleomorphic ILC

Hmh23- I have had many normal mammograms over the years including Digital ones. None of the mammograms ever showed anything including the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound I had in May when I felt a mass in my left breast. The GYN and the breast surgeon did not think the mass was meaningful and felt nothing they thought was worrisome. In December I felt a large mass in my right side and saw my GYN and the radiologist who thought it was a cyst, saw nothing on diagnostic mammogram or diagnostic ultrasound and told me it would be gone in a week. It wasn't and I had a biopsy which showed cancer on the right. Then I insisted on breast MRI and I was found to have multiple lesions on both sides and multiple lymph nodes. I wish I had insisted on a biopsy on the left side in May and I guess I was relieved to hear that a breast specialist thought was nothing and the ultrasound mammogram thought it was nothing. I do not trust mammograms at all now and will insist that my daughter has MRIs even if I have to pay for it.

I'm not sure if it is on the path report, I'll read it again and then perhaps ask my MO. I'd like some good news, though and reading the pleomorphic description which I didn't notice the first time i read it many months ago,for all the other information on the path report completely freaked me out and depressed me.

I was told my breast cancer is pleomorphic, but I haven't seen the oncolologist yet.  I had a segmental masectomy for 6cm  (which is a little more than a lumpectomy) with very positive results and clear margins, no nodes; it's been four weeks.   Prior to the surgery, I was told radiation and tamoxifen.

 I feel great right now, we'll see what the oncologist and radiologist say.

I am five years out from my PILC and PLCIS diagnosis. I'll finish my Tamoxifen next spring, and am doing fine.

You're welcome, Cindi. Good luck with the docs. This all gets easier eventually, I promise!

bump

 ILC is usually strongly ER/PR + but I don't think that you can assume that Pleomorphic ILC is either Luminal A or B. I think that it depends on the individual tumor. My MO seems to think that mine is likely to be Luminal A (low oncotype)  but since there was no K167% done with my pathology, we'll never know for sure. Having said that, I've been on AI's for 2 years so far and I  know that my MO is planning to keep me on them for longer then 5 years. It seems that those with Luminal A tumors benefit the most from prolonged hormonal therapy.

Some pathologists feel lobular in general should not be grade in the same way other BC are. A few reasons that made sense to me at the time I read the articles.

Hi, I'm newly diagnosed and found this forum about PILC.  On Friday I rec’d the results of a biopsy which indicates IPLC, the tumor is sm less than 1 cm, has estrogen and progesterone receptors and they are doing further testing on HER2.  I see the breast surgeon on Thursday.  I am waiting for insurance to approve request for an MRI of both breasts and hoping there is only 1 mass.  I want to get a second opinion but not sure where to begin.

I am besides myself with worry because of the cancer and because I have gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach can’t break down foods and it takes 4x as long to digest. My diet is; juice, soups, fish, chicken with limited fiber and fat.  I’m often tired and have a constant upset stomach. I’m worried about how I’ll be able to deal with cancer when I feel weak already.  What I have heard is that surgery is the first course of treatment but I’m less concerned with surgery and more with side effects of chemo and radiation.  Also, because of the stomach issues I have had significant bone loss.

I live in the Philadelphia area (SJ) and I’m thinking of going to U of Penn for my 2^nd opinion.  That's where my gastroenterologist is located. Of course, I am open to recommendations! Should I go for the pathology report and surgery?  How to I address my concerns about chemo and radiation?  I like my breast surgeon but not sure about the rest of the team from Cooper Hospital.  Can I make an appointment with an Oncologist before the surgery? 

It was good reading the forum over the weekend and hearing about so many of you who are doing well.

Thanks!

Robin

Robin, your cancer seems small.  If it hasn't gone to the lymph glands, you may not have chemo.  Also sounds like a lumpectomy if it is only one spot.  Read the Breastcancer.org informative sites on scans, etc.  I had lumpectomy and A/C chemo and 12 weekly Taxol.  Not fun but doable, and I'm 75.  Visit several boards and pick a group for support.  There were 60 of us atarting chemo in Sept. and we have been together since.  Wonderful support.  Fatigue has been my worst side effect, but now that chemo is over,  I'm doing bettter.  Hugs