Any words of wisdom on what to expect?

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Mcgr45
Mcgr45 Member Posts: 14
edited October 2016 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

My 84 year old mother was recently and officially diagnosed with Stage 2, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. With a biopsy, it was not a guess it is a "fact." She has a 1.8 cm tumor near the back of her left breast with a "small" plane of fat plane left for the surgeon to cut it out via a Lumpectomy. The growths in her right breast are benign. The Oncologist said the tumor was 100% Estrogen and 100% Progesterone Positive, HER2 Negative, one or two lymph nodes involved, Grade 2, Ki67 (doubling time) is 30%. Not sure what some of this means but in the world of cancer, for an 84 year old, I guess it could be worse. The Oncologist recommended a Lumpectomy, Radiation and Hormone therapy. They could do a Oncocyte DX test, but the Oncologist says her type of cancer really does not respond well to CHEMO, no matter what your age. Also my mom expressed little desire to do Chemo, at least for no. Also after a CT Scan of her Chest, with and w/o contrast they found an incidental finding of a 5cm growrh on the left side of her Thyroid, although the growth looks like it has liquid in it. Her Breast Oncologist and the Endocrinologist are not convinced that it is cancer. She had a biopsy and ultrasound of her Thyroid. So we are now awaiting those results. I am scared for her. Any words of wisdom? I am a only child. I live in chicago with my husband. My father is also sick. It's awful.

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited October 2016

    This is so hard for you since you aren't living near your mom.

    If this was my 83 year old mom with the same results, I'd strongly suggest she forego chemo. Even radiation may be of question. There is recent research showing it may not be necessary for women older than 70?? (not sure of the age).

    I'd push for the Oncotype DX to be done. This is important information and will guide you beyond whether of not chemo is of value. I suspect it will be low with the super high ER and PR %. If it is extremely low and your mom is struggling with the anti-homornal therapy, this can help with a decision of whether or not to stay on it.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited October 2016

    If you can be with your mom for appointments, that will be helpful in her treatment decisions. If she does not desire to do chemo, then that is her decision. She can try hormonal therapy. If surgery removed all of the tumor, for many, many women, that's all that's needed for them to have many more cancer-free years. This will be a discussion to have with the medical oncologist thoguh; he'll have the surgical reports and can comment specifically on her case. Best wishes.

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