repeated complaints ignored by dr X 5yrs. now BC

chasingdreams
chasingdreams Member Posts: 23
edited June 2014 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

my mother complained nearly 5yrs re: nipple inverting.

she even suggested to dr it was sign of breast cancer.... she even had appt specifically about nipple, the dr tried to manipulate nipple out. but that was it.

all annual mams negative. my mom still complained of nipple. still no help from dr.

now my mom has ILC.

i have been online reading about s/sx specific to lobular carcinoma----  and inverted nipple is one of few outward signs.

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obviously we are going to get thru this immediate situation, but we are thinking dr medical malpractice. *for record, we are not types to sue, have never sued anyone etc---  however; when we put our trust in our doctors, and when we point out specific concerns to them, and are told not to worry... only to find we were right to worry and now God willing, my mom will survive this- but she will still endure a BMX @ age 76, and all the fears that come along with a cancer dx. vs her quality of life may have been better had she been treated 5yrs ago. i for one, want this dr held accountable, and i want to know she isn't misleading another woman complaining of changes to her breast.

any thoughts out there on this?

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  • chasingdreams
    chasingdreams Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2013

    Symptoms

    By Mayo Clinic staff

    At its earliest stages, invasive lobular carcinoma may cause no signs and symptoms. As it grows larger, invasive lobular carcinoma may cause:

    • An area of thickening in part of the breast
    • A new area of fullness or swelling in the breast
    • A change in the texture or appearance of the skin over the breast, such as dimpling or thickening
    • An inverted nipple

    Invasive lobular carcinoma is less likely than other forms of breast cancer to cause a firm breast lump

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2013

    I am sorry about your mother's DX. The problem with ILC is that it so often does not show on mammos. If the doc ordered mammos for your mother, he is in the clear, I would think, having done what is required under standard care.

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited January 2013

    don't forget your mom's cancer is very small so it is hard to say how long it has been there. Keep focussed on the fact that this is very curable.  BMX may be her choice but it is not the only option for a cancer of this size.

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  • chasingdreams
    chasingdreams Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2013

    yes, we are very hopeful re her treatment, and this is main focus.

    re dr ignore inverted nipple, it is a deviation of standard when a pt complains about something, so ok, do a mam, it is neg- but pt still complains about something that is directly named as a s/sx of cancer, and the dr *must* order some type of f/u when the alternative outcome can lead to injury/loss r/t to the patients complaint...that is where dr deviated from standard. there are similiar cases where this exact thing has taken place...

    also the fact my mom's tumor is below and central to inverted nipple... with multiple cords extending... and sad fact is re tumor size- the ultrasound is typically smaller than actual true size of tumor. not to be negative here, just being realistic! we are prepared her size may be increased, but still hopeful it will be well below 2cm.

    oh i also found women on this board and other websites, who more knowledgable perhaps than my mom (and myself) insisted after noting a nipple etc,  and having neg mam, insisted on finding out the why's and many ended up having mri's of breast and it picked up cancer etc thankfully mostly early stages...

    anyhow thanks again, i am letting this part go for now, focusing on taking care of more important things like my moms treatment...

    hugs to all

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