Newly diagnosed IDC triple negative with questions

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Brneyegrl6608
Brneyegrl6608 Member Posts: 85
edited April 2017 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi everyone. Still reeling a lot from the news, but trying to get a tiny handle on my preliminary diagnosis. My tumor is 1.9x 0.8 cm on US with ill-defined borders so could be smaller or larger. Consult with surgeon on Friday and meet for the first time with my "team" on Tuesday. I've been told by the nurse navigator that no matter what I'm going to have chemo because of the triple negative status. First question- since it's small will I most likely have surgery first or chemo? Should I get an MRI first? Any questions that I should be coming to the meeting with

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited March 2017

    Just wanted to say hi. I think the mri should be first to hrlp you decide what kind if surgery you need. Others wirh more knowledge will be along soo

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  • kae_md99
    kae_md99 Member Posts: 621
    edited March 2017

    i think MRI first should be done also to check your nodes.God bless

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  • pulstk
    pulstk Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2017

    I concur, MRI or PET scan 1st to check lymph nodes because that may change whether chemo or surgery is done 1st. The Pet scan makes any cancer cells in your body light up like a Christmas tree. That is how they found that my 2 smaller growths were actually connected, making it over 5cm, and also found 3 lymph nodes. so dose dense chemo is being done 1st, then surgery, then radiation, then reconstruction. Hopefully, no lymph node involvement for you. God Bless!

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  • Brneyegrl6608
    Brneyegrl6608 Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2017

    Spoke with the surgeon today and he ordered an MRI for Monday (thank you for the advice!). I have the pathology report and have a question (I will ask oncologist as well): it says that "the tumor is compromised of infiltrative single file cells with lobular features. These cells, however, retain E-cadherin expression by immunohistochemistry. Therefore, a diagnosis of ductal carcinomas is rendered." Does this mean that it's a mixed cancer or that it will be easier/harder to treat

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  • JoJo-Marie
    JoJo-Marie Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2017

    I was diagnosed with breast cancer on August 18, 2016.  It was found as a secondary finding.  I had the tumor and sentinel lymph node removed on August 24, 2016.  My lymph node was negative and the margins were clear as well.  My tumor was 1.5 cm.  My pathology report results showed I was triple negative and the cancer was considered a high grade aggressive invasive ductal carcinoma. My team of doctors advised this type of cancer has a high rate of recurrence in the first 2 years and needs to be treated aggressively.  Even though stage 1, I was informed, just like you, I would need full chemo.  I had 6 treatments of Cytoxan, taxotere and Adriamycin, three weeks apart, beginning on October 18, 2016.  Right now I am in the middle of 33 radiation treatments.  Just remember you will be stronger than you ever thought and you WILL get through this one day at a time.  Wishing all the best to you and your family. 

       

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  • JLBinPDX
    JLBinPDX Member Posts: 127
    edited April 2017

    Hi Brneyegrl66,

    Sounds like we're about at the same place. I was diagnosed about two weeks ago after biopsies on both sides. My tumor, too, is smallish and undefined--1.9 cm and fairly close to the surface. Seeing my surgeon first, we scheduled surgery and I was 90 percent on board. Then met with the oncologist and chemo is now going to happen first. His reasoning is, "my first goal is to keep you alive long term and if I have a tumor to see that it's shrinking or not, I can monitor the chemo drugs to know if they're killing other cancer cells that may have spread." I was taken aback, but am fully on board now. Triple neg and grade 2, and then calcifications on the other side; no lymph node problems apparent. Once you meet with your oncologist, your surgery first plan may shift. I now have a bone scan and a port placement Monday with an echocardiogram Wed followed by my first chemo. I ready to get this party started. It's been a quick whirlwind, but let's get this thing going. I didn't have an MRI and now wondering why not or why should I have?

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  • tls5141
    tls5141 Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2017

    Hi. I'm 28 yrs old and was dx with TNBC on 3/7/17. BRCA negative. My treatment plan is neoadjuvant therapy. Chemo first AC biweekly 4x then taxol for 12 weeks straight with carboplatin every 3 weeks while receiving taxol. I will then have surgery and radiation. I had my first round of chemo this past Friday 3/7. So far I am doing okay. I did IVF first as I do not have any children yet and wish to have children one day so my boyfriend and I froze embryos as I was advised the chemo had a great chance of causing infertility.


    My MRI showed no lymph node involvement prior to start of chemo. Had a PET scan prior to chemo which showed some contrast in the liver and have a MRI sscheduled this week to rule out. I'm praying as my oncologist believes it may be artificial.

    Taking everything one hour at a time right now as I'm not sure what the next will bring with side effects but so far feel blessed on how my body is handling everything. I'm only a little over 36 hrs out of my first chemo though.

    Glad I found this group to connect with others!


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