just got biopsy results for idc

Welcome to Breastcancer.org rodeogirl. We're sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us!

Besides learning from other members here at the boards, you may also want to take a look at the Breast Cancer 101 section from our main site, which is designed to help you sort through all of the information on our site to find what is more relevant to you right now.

Also reliable information on IDC — Invasive Ductal Carcinoma where you'll learn about symptoms,
diagnosis, treatment, etc.

Possibly of interest too is the Oncotype
DX Test

We hope
this helps!

The Mods

Not everyone is offered chemo. You might want to ask to have your tumor sent for the oncotypeDX test after surgery. It is used to help predict which tumors will respond to chemo. Several factors are looked at when considering chemo. For me , I was presented with statistics given all my tests results. The decision was left up to me, whether to do chemo or not. Your results are worded different than mine, but it does sound like you have a slow grower(as did I).  The decision making part was the worst for me.

Rodeo,

It's normal to be anxious about your diagnosis; try not to be too hard on yourself. When I was first diagnosed, I was so frazzled that I couldn't concentrate or think straight. I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to make good choices regarding my treatment options. Because of this, my doctor prescribed anti-anxiety medication. If you think the medications would help you, contact your doctor. There are many, many women on the board who are taking them. BTW, I am a person who rarely would take any sort of medication.

According to the results you posted, your cancer is slow growing. This means you will have time to think and make good decisions. ER+,PR+,HER2- is the most common and what I have, too. There are many treatment options. Are you going to a breast surgeon/surgical oncologist? I would highly recommend it. In most cases, both lumpectomy or mastectomy are offered as treatment options. In few cases is mastectomy the only option. There is a thread on the board that includes what to consider when trying to chose between Lx or Mx.

Once you meet with your surgeon, you will likely be referred to a Radiation Oncologist and a Medical Oncologist. You will learn so much from them about what options are available to you. I was offered many different treatment options along the way. The doctors explained the risks and benefits of various treatments and explained why they recommend certain treatments. Chemo and radiation are to kill any cancer cells that may not have been removed during surgery. Not everyone needs chemo.

I know you are in a difficult spot right now. It's all so new and there are so many unknowns. I am sorry you have to deal with this, but am glad you found the board. There are so many helpful, kind people here to help you!

Poppy

rodeo girl

I was recently Dx w IDC too. You will get thru this! Your Ki67 score is really low...that's a really good thing since low proliferation means slow growing. Curious why your Dr is only talking mastectomy...is it because you hv 2 tumors? Consider getting a 2nd opinion before making your decision. Since you were considering breast reduction I'm assuming that it's not because your breasts are too small to get a good cosmetic result!

getting the Oncotype Dx testing done will give you much needed info. If it comes back with a really low score then breast conservation might be a good option. At any rate...you have time to get all available info before making a decision.  we are all here for you. You will get thru this! Remember, the only dumb question us the one you don't ask.

zha-an 

.

I had a routine Mammogram last Oct. that did not show anything abnormal other than some dense breast tissue (at least that is how that radiologist read the results -there was actually a mass present in those results as the new radiologist comparing the two said it was the fact that the mass from the prior year had grown slightly that led him to order additional testing).  It was also at that time I had noticed a brown sticky discharge coming from my left breast when expressed.  I talked to my gynecologist about this condition and she said it was nothing to worry about (WRONG - I have since learned that a dark brown or bloody discharge is ALWAYS something to worry about).  I went blissfully about my life not thinking anything was wrong, cancer being the furthest thing from my mind.  Then I started to talk to other women about this sometimes embarrassing breast discharge and they were all horrified as this seemed like something that should not be.  I started doing research online and this is where I found out that this was a symptom of either ductal carcinoma or ductal papilloma.  You can bet I was on the phone with my doctor immediately - new insurance and new doctor.  This new doctor jumped and ran with a bunch of blood tests and a new Mammo.  Blood tests came back normal.  Then came the phone call I had been dreading.  We found something in your Mammo that warrants another more detailed Mammo and an Ultrasound.  3 days later I was having another Mammo and the Ultrasound (this was last Saturday) - before I even left the center I knew that there was a mass in my left breast and had a biopsy scheduled for Monday morning.  Was told the Biopsy results would be back in 3-5 business days, so when I got a call the next morning Wow...That's really all I could think when I got that phone call.  Just found out I have IDC, Grade 2 on Nottingham Scale, mass is around 1.2cm, initial diagnosis is Stage I (although I have been told all of that can change once they get you open and actually perform the pathology on the nodes and breast tissue removed).  They did not yet have back any of the information regarding the estrogen receptors, etc..  

Have already met with a surgeon, who wanted me to have lumpectomy scheduled in less than 4 weeks.  However, his surgical calendar is booked until Dec. 3rd... so all I can do is sit here and wait, worry, and wonder.  I don't get how the doctor can feel the sense of urgency and say he wants something scheduled in under 4 weeks but his scheduling staff can just say well... he doesn't have any available appointments.  Frustrating - because what I want is the cancer out of my body.  However, I feel better after reading a number of these posts as it appears that this is a slow growing form of cancer despite the sense of urgency I have to get this out, a few more weeks will give me more time to research.  

Things I have learned so far.  

1. Stay positive - when found early this is one form of cancer that can be beat.  
2. Change your diet immediately and cut out all sugar from your diet - cancer feeds on sugar.
3. Prepare yourself for not knowing what direction things will go until after your surgery to remove your mass - they just won't know until they can see it first hand.  
4. Learn patience - take slow deep breaths before lambasting someone on the other end of the phone for not understanding how urgent and critical this is for you.  
5. You are not alone - there are so many people out there who are willing to listen, hold your hand, and help you get through this crisis in your life
6. Everyone will have a different experience as we are all different and unique individuals - what works for one person will not work for another 

I am just starting this journey myself and have so much to learn, still feels like I am in a Twilight Zone episode and am experiencing this almost as if it were another person going through it.

Melissa, I like what you said, "Diet is not a magic bullet, so don't make yourself miserable in the middle of other unhappiness thinking being rigid is going to be the fix."  I sure have been there, done that and it was not helping me to get healthy, just sad.  Everyone has to find their own personal program that makes them feel good. For me, trying to be so rigid and perfect gave me something to focus on and "control" when I could not control cancer, but it made me feel like I was sickly and not me.  Eating some cookies made me feel normal. I am trying really hard to not beat myself up over it.

NJC - So sorry for the terrible news. Your diagnosis is pretty close to mine, IDC 1.1 cm, grade 2.  I know it is all really shocking right now. A month and a half wait is no fun, but I've seen it on these boards. Any chance you could call the schedulers and tell them to put you on the wait list for cancellations?  Don't be too rough on yourself. Who knows what causes this crap. If you need help with the anxiety, talk to your docs about antianxiety meds. They were made for times like these. Take things a step at a time. It helped me to join the surgery sisters thread for the month I was having surgery. Glad you found us. Someone is here 24/7 for information and support. 

DCIS/IDC Stage 1 Grade2 .Today was confusing at the hospital. They made my lumpectomy
operation appt. for the 31st. Had me talk to the radiologist. Said my MRI showed no
signs of the breast cancer spreading to the lymph nodes. Yet they took
blood and told me I have to go for a PET Scan on the 21st. They found
two spots on my ribs. The surgeon is saying it is probably nothing
because I have no cancer in my lymph nodes. I am frightened. I am just
taking tranquilizers and resting this weekend. I ordered Chinese
delivery instead of grocery shopping. I don't want to go anywhere. I am
so frightened. I live in a state where if I have a terrible terminal
cancer I can have assisted suicide. I will do that. I will live out the
cancer long as I can than assisted suicide. If it is just a lumpectomy
and radiation and removal of my ovaries I can do that but if I have
terrible cancer through and through I will not treat it. I will wait
until it is time to die then I will with PHD help. I am trying to cheer
people up and not tell them how bad it is because I don't want them to
be bothered or it will weigh me down. I have a terrible feeling I am
really really sick. More so than anyone knows right now. I thought to
make peace with my life and maybe my possible death due to a terrible
cancer problem this weekend alone.I think the surgeon was saying the spots on my ribs were nothing to worry about so that I would not worry before the PET scan results. I have a feeling I am in deep deep cancer trouble.

Bcky, Hang in there! You are in a very frightening place right now. Do you have friends and family near for support? Use them for support. Don't try to cheer them up; let them support you! They can be a big help. I told my friends that I just needed someone to talk to, not to make everything better or solve my problems.  Also, try to keep yourself busy doing almost anything... as long as it doesn't involve cancer stuff!

Many, many "normal" things show up on MRIs, so don't dwell on those spots. They have no reason to believe that your BC has spread to the nodes... this is fantastic news. You have time to make treatment decisions! Lumpectomy with radiation is an excellent treatment option! That's where I started. Unfortunately, my node was positive, so I am undergoing chemo. Chemo has come a long, long way... and isn't anything like they show it in the movies.

I'm sorry you are so scared. Every test gives you more information so you can make good decisions about your treatment. Call your doctor and tell them exactly how you are feeling. Your doctor may want to give you something else... as opposed to tranquilizers.

Farmer Lucy gave you excellent advise!

I hope you feel less anxious and frightened soon!

Poppy

rodeogirl, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but now that you have answers you can focus on your treatment plan and that will help you feel somewhat in control.  Continue to take good care of yourself.  I wish you the best of luck with your surgery.  You've got lots of support here, so don't hesitate to lean on the lovely ladies here.  We understand what you're going through.  When is your surgery scheduled?

Rodeo, many get through chemo with minimal side effects while others are miserable. So much depends on the chemo cocktail you will be receiving. Again, depending on which drug(s) you may want to consider a port. I have small difficult veins to begin with, there's no way I could have survived the drugs without my port, which I loved and hated at the same time...but it's worth it.

There are lots and lots of threads on the various kinds of chemo which I'm sure you will find useful. I have Cytoxen and Taxotere and successfully used Cold Caps. I am in a public industry which would immediately scare my client's if they saw me without hair so I chose PCC. They were expensive and an exhaustive routine to go through but well worth it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Amy

robo47 gave you good advice. I am one of the 6% that has permanent hair loss after taxotere. I wish someone had warned me so I could've at least asked if there were other options. Good luck. Other than the hair loss, chemo wasn't too bad for me.