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itsme203
itsme203 Member Posts: 9
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed

Hi all. I am 50 years old. I had my annual mammogram on 17 January. (I am American but currently living in Australia so they do mammo screening a bit differently here). While I was at the appointment the radiologist reviewed the films and found some micro calcifications and asked for mag views, which was followed by ultrasound. They discovered the calcifications were pleomorphic and recommended biopsy. I was able to see the breast surgeon on 20 January (I work in healthcare and know all the specialists in our building so that moved things along quickly) who arranged a core biopsy that same day. They took two specimens. Fast forward to today 22 Jan (I'm a day ahead because I'm in AU), biopsy results show cancer! I've already had a chest xray and bloods this am and scheduled for MRI this afternoon.

The following are my path results hoping for some insight from you on what it all means. I see the surgeon again tomorrow for recommendations.

Core biopsies at left breast 10 o'clock 8cm from nipper: Invasive papillary carcinoma, provisional grade 1 to 2 and intermediate grade DCIS of mix papillary and cribriform type.

Results of immunoperoxidase stains: 

Estrogen receptor - positive (3+) strong nuclear staining in >90% of tumour cells

Progestrone receptor - positive (3+) strong nuclear staining in >90% of tumour cells

HER2 (immuno): Negative (0).

Thanks all.

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Comments

  • AZ85048
    AZ85048 Member Posts: 2,613
    edited January 2014

    itsme203 - Welcome!  There are several ladies on these boards from Australia so you're not alone.  Actually you're never alone on here anyway, no matter where you're from.  Best of luck to you and let us know how you're doing...

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2014

    Hi itsme, I am in Australia too, in Victoria.

    So sorry you have to be here, but you'll find this to be a great place, as AZ says, you'll never be alone, the members here are wonderful, offering support and advice whenever you need it. 

    Don't forget to write down as many questions as you can, and if at all possible, take someone with you, just having another pair of ears helps a lot.

    I am sorry, I can't shed any light on your Dx, but I am sure your meeting with your Surgeon will help you understand it all and you'll know what your options are.

    The waiting is the worst, the anxiety levels rise and we all seem to think the very worst.

    Try to take it easy, and let us know how you're doing!

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  • wyo
    wyo Member Posts: 541
    edited January 2014

    glad you dropped in itsme

    here is what I know for sure from what you wrote on your path report- you have a combination of  "ductal" carcinoma which is confined to the milk ducts and that is also found with some invasive carcinoma that is papillary which is rare- meaning a lot of breast cancers are not papillary. Provisional grade 1-2 means you will get a more specific grade with surgery and a larger tissue specimen that can be studied in detail. 

    The tissue specimen is both estrogen and progesterone + and HER2 neg which means hormone therapy can be useful treatment. 

    Let us know what you learn from the MRI and we are here for you- its so shocking and overwhelming and honestly I did not give much thought at all to the different types of breast cancer til I got my own then started learning fast.  This site has a ton of information and I am attaching a link to an overview from Johns Hopkins as random google searches can be downright scary  http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/centers/breast_cancer_program/rare_tumors.html/papillary_breast_cancer.html

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  • itsme203
    itsme203 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2014

    Ariom...I am in Victoria too...in Southbank!

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2014

    Hi itsme! I used to live in Williamstown, not far from there! and my first home was just up the road, in Albert Park.

    Southbank is lovely, a great spot. Easy to get to anywhere, from there. Are you in Aus for long?

    I am so sorry you've arrived here and had to face this, do you have any family here? I had just moved here, to Gippsland, over 300km from Melbourne, where my Daughter lives, and was Dx 4 months later.

    Take it easy, and please keep in touch..Moira/Ariom

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2014

    Itsme, welcome to BCO. As you can already tell, you came to the right place for great support!

    There's a forum called Australian and New Zealand Breast Cancer Survivors that you may find interesting to read, post and maybe find more members in your local area.

    Hope this helps!

    The Mods

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited January 2014

    hello and you have come to the right place for support and plenty of info from others who been there and those going through, so feel free to ask us questions andd have HOPE(I am a 20 yr this yr SURVIVOR) Praise GOD, msphil(idc,stage2, 0/3 nodes, L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)

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