Diagnosis, biopsy and metastisizing

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scaredashell07
scaredashell07 Member Posts: 272
edited September 2016 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

I apologize in advancefor my scattered thoughts. my doc said that I likely had a malignant tumor about 2 cm and it spread to one or more lymph nodes in arm pit area. She was certain that it hadn't spread anywhere else and felt around my neck and collarbone. This is all before the biopsy. And she recommended chemo first. And then surgery.I was so upset I said I didn't want to die. And she said "don't worry, you are not dying ". How does she know it hasn't metastasized already? I said I had some chest pain on same side and some shortness of breath. aNd she said it wasn't likely from the cancer but an respiratory infection I had a few weeks before. Said it sounded muscular. I also have a small lymph node of concern on my trachea that may be biopsied but she said it wouldn't have gone to treachea before neck lymph nodes. Wondering if I should ask for other tests to check for lungs and throat now instead of waiting for biopsy. as you can tell I am so freaked out and my head is in all the bad places my kids are so young and I am so scared they will lose their mom

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  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited September 2016

    I am pretty sure they will check the other areas of concern before you start chemo. And they need the biopsy results before the treatment can start. Chemo before surgery is good because they can see if the tumor and lymph-nodes are responding to treatment, if the response was not great you may get different chemo after surgery. Going through this with young kids is hard but in some ways it's better because they will not understand the seriousness of it. My daughter was under 2 and she had no clue what was going on, on the other hand my son was 13 and he was depressed and his grades suffered. I hope you get your treatment plan soon.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2016

    I'm surprised that any doc would claim that it had spread to lymph nodes without a lumpectomy and a SNB (sentinel node biopsy, which is done at the same time of the lumpectomy, to see if any lymph nodes were involved), followed by a pathology report. Was this an oncologist you were talking to, or a GP? It matters. Did you have a lumpectomy? Or just some scans and physical exams? I feel like much more information is needed here before you know what you're really dealing with.

    And if it is in nearby lymph nodes, like armpit, that doesn't mean it's metastasized. If it's spread to distant areas in your body, then it's considered metastasized, and that can't be determined without a lot more tests.

    You need a pathology report that tells you stage, grade, and tumor size. Without that you don't know what you're looking at or even how to treat it! From the little bit you've shared, above, I feel you need a lot more information. Here's a list of questions you need answered, from bc.org.

    http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/dr_...

    And know that oftentimes doctors have no filter when they share info, causing much pain and anxeity for the patient. My doc -- a general surgeon--told me that my cancer was aggressive (it wasn't, it was grade 1) and rare (also not true--it's the second most common form of breast cancer dx). He was not an oncologist. Our docs aren't gods and they don't know everything, but sometimes speak as they do. Try to calm down and read inspirational stories on this board. Stay off Dr Google--also lots of old, outdated information and downright lies-- till you have the information in writing as I mentioned above.

    I feel your fear and know it like I know my own body. And I sympathize. I hope what I wrote helps a little, or a lot.

    Hugs

    Claire

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