cancer near or in chest wall

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TOilar
TOilar Member Posts: 8
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I was found out I have IDC on July 14, I have surgery on the 18 of July. My doctors office call today to schedule more test has they are concerned the cancer has moved into the chest wall. What does that mean for me?

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  • GrammyR
    GrammyR Member Posts: 702
    edited July 2013

    It means it could have spread in and around part of the rib cage they probably want to do more xrays to see the whole area of the chest and not just the breast. Be strong and try not to worry so much about what it may be and wait until u know for sure. I am in a wait and see mode too as IDC may have returned after 6 years. Hugs 

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  • TOilar
    TOilar Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2013

    Thanks, but "worry" is my middle name

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited July 2013

    When my tumor was found close to the chest wall it meant MRI. The MRI showed the tumor to be near but not in the cheat wall. I had a chest xray but that was to look for possible nodules on the lung. I had a mastectomy & the surgeon took the fascia covering the muscle. The fascia was clean/no cancer. Hope all the tets & surgery go smoothly for you.

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  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited July 2013

    @TOilar, my tumor was located in such a place that my chest wall could have been invaded. I was told before my mastectomy that if the chest wall was involved, radiation treatment would be necessary even though my  breast had been removed. As it turned out I had a narrow but clear margin on that side, so no rads for me.

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited July 2013

    I too had a tumor suspected to be possibly attached to the chest wall.  My treatment was to do chemo first to shrink the tumor (aggresive - grade 3) and pull it away from the chest wall.  After 2 rounds of chemo the MO decided it was not attched and measured the tumor to be 60% less.  Just finished chemo June 24 so waiting to run new tests next appt July 15. 

    Hang in there.  It appears there are many different approaches depending on your tumor pathology. 

    Praying for a good treatment plan.

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  • jbdayton
    jbdayton Member Posts: 700
    edited July 2013

    GrammyR so sorry to hear of your suspected reoccurance. 

    Praying for B9 results.  I don't think it is fair for anyone to have to go through a second BC.

    I am in your pocket.

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  • mshelton
    mshelton Member Posts: 66
    edited July 2013

    Toilar--One possible scenario is that if it's close to the chest wall (such as they do not get clear margins following surgery), rads may be  recommended.  Did they tell you what tests are being recommended.  The waiting is absolutely hard and worrisome.     Waiting for doctor appointments, waiting for tests, waiting for results, waiting for next step, next exam, next treatment, next......???  So sorry that you and all of us are having to go thru this.  Can't wait to get to each "Next" step so I'm closer to finishing treatment.

    Have hope

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited July 2013

    Toilar - sorry that you have been dx with IDC, but glad you found this site...great info ad encouragement. Ugh waiting:(

    Breathe...use your wait to be informed and form the best bc team!

    Set up your file, read the breast cancer husband, visit your BC center find out what services they offer and avail yourself of them, interview and select BS, PS, MO, RO determine who best serves you. Make your list of questions for each and take 3 copies 1 for dr, 1 for you, 1 for your appointment buddy to record the answers...our minds go on over load.

    Keep a good calendar of each appt, note the names of all contacts in each office...sugar goes a long way...and we all like to hear our name...so greet front desk with smile and first name even when frazzled :).

    Chest wall...my t was at hi noon near chest wall...MRI gave hope for lx with rads...

    Rads were not going to be an option so determined to go with least evasive option...plus women come from all over just for my BS to use gifts... MRI showed 3 areas, but only 2... Margins were clear and 4mm against chest wall and 10 mm everywhere else.

    Thankful for my BC team...never look back just forward...one day at a time :)

    Breathe, you will be fine brave warrior!

    Sending calm confident thoughts and prayers.

    (((Hugs)))

    Cindy

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  • LeslieVilla
    LeslieVilla Member Posts: 95
    edited July 2013

    RMlulu, your post says Rads were not going to be an option, but below on your treatments it says you had external rads in March?   Is that right? 

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited July 2013

    Hi LeslieVilla - yes, BC team said rads were not option...rads were a MUST regardless of which surgical option lx,mx,bmx.

    Chest wall=rads



    Sorry if post was not clear.

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  • TOilar
    TOilar Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2013

    Thanks for all the info... I go Wednesday (July 10) to have a breast MRI and they are planning to do surgery on the 18th. I haven't been told anything about the surgery, I don't know if they our going to just remove the lump or remove the whole breast. They have talked about rads and possible chemo. mshelton you are so right, the waiting is the worse! I had been doing so good, staying strong, but the last few days I have cried at the drop of a hat. Thanks for listening!!

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  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited July 2013

    @TOilar, I'm surprised you haven't been told what kind of surgery you will have. Have you requested a lumpectomy but been told by the doctor that a more extensive surgery may be necessary depending on the results of the MRI and/or what is found during surgery, such as the chest wall invasion you have already mentioned?

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited July 2013

    Toilar - please check out today in the DCIS thread lx v mx response by Bessie. Very good thought provoking post...food for thought before Wed appointment.

    Sending calm confident thoughts and prayers.



    June 2013 why did you choose lx v mx

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  • TOilar
    TOilar Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2013

    Got the results back from my MRI and it sound good, the tumor doesn't appear to be in the chest wallLaughing

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited July 2013

    Yippee TOilar Yippee :)



    Happy Dance Not in chest wall.

    Plan of attack in place...sending calm confident thoughts for surgery Thursday :)

    Rest and laugh you've got this brave warrior!

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  • TOilar
    TOilar Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2013

    Surgery went very well, not much pain, but numbness of the back of my arm and side is quite annoying.

    They removed two lymph nodes and I should have the results in a week. 

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited July 2013

    TOilar - :) glad surgery went well.



    Sending positive thoughts and prayers for all clear on margins and nodes and feeling restored to arm and side.

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  • TOilar
    TOilar Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2013

    OMG! I feel so good today, I'd forgotten what it was like to have energy!! 

    No news yet on the margins or nodes,

    and the feeling is coming back in my arm a little at a little!

    Super day!!!

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited July 2013

    Yippee TOilar! Great news:)

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  • TOilar
    TOilar Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2013

    Wanted to share my good news... I got my lab reports back today, no cancer in any of the nodes and all margins are clear!! God is good!!!

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited July 2013

    Yippee :))) happy Dancing TOilar!



    Yes, great news...:)



    Celebrate:)

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  • TOilar
    TOilar Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2013

    So no cancer in the nodes or margins, what should I expect next?

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited August 2013

    Hi TOilar!



    Next is healing...update your profile so we know your dx and tx...helps on next...I will share a LX next.



    2 weeks post LX surgery. I saw all 3- BS, MO, and RO same week.



    BS to remove stitches and admire work and healing...said he would see me in November:)



    MO will review your path report and determine a plan of attack. Will use a computer program to review stats and then you and MO will discuss...chemo, rads, HT. Ask questions and make sure you understand your plan and are comfortable :)



    RO to discuss rads and determine when to begin. I had a pre-lx MRI so RO wanted a post-lx MRI which was schedule about 6 ws pst lx. Once reviewed on to rads for 6 weeks.



    2 weeks post rads

    RO admired my skin and scheduled my 6 mo post rad mammo

    MO confirmed HT gave RX and said take a month vacation...just relax and recoup, which I did.



    So now healing, walking, reading, exercising, and enjoying life!

    Read After Breast Cancer- a common sense guide....it's on the book list for this site



    Remember while we are all in this battle together...we are all so different...my next may be similar to yours or different based on dx...regional influence...etc.



    Best recommendation meet with your BC team get a plan in place and the take a 'NO C' break until active tx begins. Really! The gap from lx to rads was my R&R time...no c zone...not discussed...really did help with the body mind and spirit healing. Took a trip:)



    Sending calm confident healing thoughts and prayers!

    You got brave warrior :)

    (((Hugs)))

    Cindy

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