Another lump, another surgery.

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jgbartlett
jgbartlett Member Posts: 112
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I had an IDC breast cancer removed by lumpectomy in June 2011. Went through chemo and rads and am now on tamoxifen.  Early last year I noticed another lump in the same breast. It was small but I could definately feel it, my onc could feel it too so I was scheduled for my yearly mammo & ultrasound in April 2012. Saw my breast surgeon for the results that said everything was fine, nothing found. Went back to onc in Aug and told her it was still growing, still concerned so she said to follow up with breast surgeon at next visit. Saw my breast surgeon in November 2012, lump still there and bigger, she scheduled an ultrasound +/- biopsy. Again the ultrasound found nothing so they didn't think it warranted a biopsy - even though we could feel a lump? still worrying. I went back to my onc in Feb 2013 and told her my concerns and she said to insist on a biopsy at next breast surgeon appt, for my own piece of mind.

So I had my 6 monthly appt with breast surgeon yesterday. She felt the lump which has continued to grow and is now about 1.5cm and without even contemplating biopsy has booked me straight in for surgery. This I know if good - at least it will be gone and I'll know exactly what it is, but I'm a little suprised she's not just doing a biopsy, or even a MRI maybe?   She also said she thought it might be an enlarged lymph node. It is at 1 o'clock right next to nipple - I didn't think you had lymph nodes there?

I'm trying not to worry, but not doing very well at that. I live in Aust and we are having a long awaited family holiday and fly out to the Gold Coast next Wed 1st May for two weeks. I didn't want to be sore for the holiday so I am scheduled in for surgery on Mon, 20th May.  I'm thinking well if it is cancer it's already been in my body for more than a year, what difference is another couple of weeks going to make.

Oh shit!  -  anyone else have anything similar. 

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited April 2013

    Julie, I'm so sorry about what you've been dealing with, but it does sound like surgery is the right call at this point, since that lump continues to grow.

    One question -- Did you have an MRI prior to your June 2011 surgery?  If so, it seems like it would have shown up then if it was bc, especially since you could feel it less than a year later.

    But getting it out seems like the best choice at this point, and I agree with you, waiting until May 20 so that you won't ruin a planned family holiday doesn't sound unreasonable.  That's probably only a week or two beyond what they would schedule you for if you didn't have plans.

    Please keep us posted.  Hopefully, whatever it is will turn out to be totally B9.    (((Hugs)))   Deanna

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  • jgbartlett
    jgbartlett Member Posts: 112
    edited April 2013

    Thanks for posting Deanna, when I was first diagnosed they only did the mammo, ultrasound & biopsy which determined IDC. In Australia they don't seem to think it's necessary to do any CT, MRI or PET scans unless you present symptoms, I think that is also because my SNB came back negative. So I have never had any of those scans.

    When they removed my lump they took out a huge chunk of breast tissue (9cm x 8cm x 5cm) and as well as the IDC they found "multifocal high grade DCIS in the remaining breast tissue, with malignant microcalcifications". The smallest margin for the IDC was 2mm and for one area of the DCIS it said it "focally reaches to the posterier margin of excision in one histology section". I remember asking how they knew there was no more DCIS in any other part of my breast (as that never showed up on the mammo/us) and they said that whatever was left would be taken care of by the chemo & radiation. I also had lymphovascular invasion.

    And then you read posts of women who have surgery, chemo, radiation & tamoxifen and still recur. It's always such a worry isn't it. The only thing I'm holding onto is that the lump has always felt quite smooth, so I'm hoping that is a B9 trait.

    Thanks for the hugs,  Julie.

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited April 2013

    Julie.. I would insist on an MRI before surgery. Having another lumpectomy only means they will remove that mass. What if you have multi focal cancer, and have always had multifocal cancer? Perhaps an MRI and possible mastectomy is what you need. From your story, it sounds like your BS has been a little negligent. She/he should have biopsied you back when you told them about the lump. I would push for an MRI before your vacation.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited April 2013

    Julie, I totally agree with what bdavis has told you, especially in view of the fact that you not only didn't have an MRI when you were initially dx'd, but you actually had some sort of multifocal stuff going on in the tissue they removed.  My story (detailed on my bio page) is a perfect example of what can be overlooked without an MRI -- or in my case, without a clear MRI.  It may not be standard practice in Oz, but you have good reason to request one prior to your surgery, and if I was in your situation, I would also insist on one now.    Deanna    

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  • ginger_mea
    ginger_mea Member Posts: 264
    edited April 2013

    I have a question ladies: I had IDC triple Positive breast cancer 2 years ago.  Lumpectomies, chemo, herceptin, rads and am currently on Aromasin. (right breast)

    I keep thinking I feel a tiny pea size lump in the other breast, sometimes I feel it, then I can't find it, and although I see my Onc next month, and am scheduled for my Mamo in July I am wondering should I call my BS now, or wait until the mamo? am I over thinking it? and then what if he wants to check me and then I can't find it again?  I know I sound crazy but sometimes I don't want to be an over-reactor to BC since I am really trying to live without thinking about it, but I don't want to be a fool either. Any advice would be appreciated.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited April 2013

    Hi, ginger ~ Since you've had bc, I think your docs would prefer that you err on the side of caution, and at least advise your onc and/or your BS, and let them decide if they want your mammo moved up.  Chances are it's a cyst, but best to get it checked out, and they will probably want to order an u/s along with the mammo, no matter when you actually have it.  JMO, and good luck!  Hopefully it's just a cyst or something like that, but why continue to worry about it, which you no doubt will, if you can get it checked out a few weeks sooner?     Deanna

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited April 2013

    Julie, call the onc office and ask them if they would want it biopsied in case they want to do chemo before surgery if it is cancer again. Neoadjuvant chemo is being used more frequently here in Australia, so it's worth asking.



    Yes. PET and MRI are almost impossible to get done here :-/ CT would be useful before your surgery though so I would phone the BS office or onc office and ask them for one before the surgery "as a baseline". Use those words...



    Jenn

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  • jgbartlett
    jgbartlett Member Posts: 112
    edited April 2013

    Thanks for the advice ladies, I took in on board and I rang my BS office yesterday and she wasn't available but was going to call me back. I didn't hear anything and it's Saturday today so I'll ring again on Monday, problem is we fly out on Wednesday so it seems unlikely I'll get in for anything. And when we get back it's only 2 days before my surgery date. And I'll ring my onc too thanks Jenn and see what she thinks.



    It's hard when you just assume they are the expert and are doing the best for you.

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  • jgbartlett
    jgbartlett Member Posts: 112
    edited May 2013

    Just thought I'd give an update.



    I had a great holiday even though that elephant was constantly in the room - but the kids had a ball and we were all together as a family.



    I had my surgery yesterday (I wasn't able to schedule any scans prior to it) and it all went well, I'm feeling ok today. I'll have the results by the end on the week. So now it's time to wait!

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited May 2013

    Glad to read it went well Julie :-) (as these things go)



    regards Jenn

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  • jgbartlett
    jgbartlett Member Posts: 112
    edited June 2013

    All good news, I had my follow up appt today and it was a benign mass (fibrosis & scar tissue).



    So all is well & I'm going to try to stop thinking about the bloody "C" word and move on! I feel like I've spent way too much time worrying about something that was nothing. This whole journey does my head in!!

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  • JeanGenie
    JeanGenie Member Posts: 28
    edited June 2013

    That is fantastic news Julie!  Yay!

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited June 2013

    Very glad for you Julie :-)



    Jenn

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