Just Diagnosed with IDC

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lt84
lt84 Member Posts: 7
edited April 2017 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi. I'm 32 and was diagnosed in March. I live in TN and will go to Vanderbilt on the 18 for my first appointment with oncologist and surgeon. My mother in law had breast cancer two years ago. My mom had it last fall and now me. I will be seeing the same two drs that treated her. They are now both fine and are taking the pill that you take for a few years.I had a biopsy in Jackson after two mammograms and an ultrasound. The Dr said it seems to have been caught early and calls it highly treatable. Said he did not see it in any nodes and did not feel anything. It is ER and PR +. I'm so overwhelmed. What will happen at Vanderbilt? What about having kids? My husband an drew I were trying before all of this happened. Any tips? Thanks!

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  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited April 2017

    Hi Laura, and welcome to BCO, the nest place on the internet for information, understanding, and support about breast cancer concerns. We are very sorry about your diagnosis and the concerns that have brought you here, but we are glad you found us. We are a true Community of Brothers and Sisters who understand and care.

    So glad your family members are doing fine. We hope and expect that soon you will be doing fine too.

    Your young age at diagnosis would tend to indicate that your tumor might be one of the more aggressive ones. Do you have a copy of the Pathology Lab report? It would have some other helpful information -- in particular, the Grade and the HER2neu status. Also, do you know the approximate size and location of your tumor/s? That information could have some bearing on your treatment plan.

    Most patients have surgical treatment next following diagnosis, but some have Chemotherapy as their first part of treatment. Some ER+, node-negative tumor specimens get genomic assays that can help guide in making treatment plans. Your young age at diagnosis may be a factor considered in making your treatment plan. You might also qualify for genetic testing to find out if you have genes presently known to be associated with certain familial cancer patterns.

    At Vanderbilt, you will probably have a physical examination and health history taken, and you will be told if you are advised to have Chemo first of all or if you are advised to have Surgery first of all. If you are advised to have your surgery first, the surgery options appropriate for your case will be generally described to you. If you are already decided by then on a surgery type that is among those offered you, then your surgery can be planned. Of course, you can ask your Doctors questions about your condition, contemplated treatments, what to expect, etc. About having kids -- that would be a question for your Oncologist.

    Once you have a treatment plan, you will feel much better, more in control, and your treatment will proceed.

    Take care to keep yourselves well. Try to avoid crowds and sick people, even household members of persons sick with coughs, fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, even feeling unwell, anything like that. You do not want to catch anything that would necessitate any delays in your having your treatment.

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  • lt84
    lt84 Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2017

    I just have the copy of my pathology report. My nottingham score is 3. All scores of 1 in the three categories.

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  • lt84
    lt84 Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2017

    Grade one

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited April 2017

    Laura, I'd call Vanderbilt and see if you can also book an appointment with a Fertility Preservation specialist. You may well want to take some steps before you begin treatment, so the Fertility specialist needs to be on your treatment team.

    Perhaps someone if your MO's office can get you a referral? Or if you've been working with a scheduler or nurse navigator, perhaps they could help you arrange that appointment for the same date?

    Take a look at the info "here" about fertility preservation for "post pubertal females" from the Vanderbilt Children's hosptial. This information was intended to address fertility concerns for children before they begin cancer treatments, but I would think your concerns would be substantially similar. And this is from Vanderbilt...

    Do let us know how you're doing!

    LisaAlissa

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  • wendym23
    wendym23 Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2017

    I was just diagnosed as well with stage 1 grade 3 tumor. I am 43 years old. I had a 1.8 cm tumor removed 2 weeks ago with a lumpectomy. I am in Nashville as well. I find out next week my Oncotype score. Please let me know if you have any questions. It is hard to find people under 45 that have been diagnosed.

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited April 2017

    I was diagnosed at 39 and from my experience they want to treat aggressively when the patient is young. Usually that means chemo. However with a grade 1 that may not be the case. I would strongly suggest making a list of questions and take it with you when you meet your doctor. It is easy to forget things when overwhelmed. Ask about the oncotype test, this could help determine chemo. Ask about genetic testing, this could affect surgery decisions.

    Try to take a deep breath ((hugs))

    Also, don't be afraid to ask for something to help you sleep or if you are anxious. These are hard things we are dealing with and being able to rest is important.

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited April 2017

    Definitely ask for an Oncotype test, which is done after surgery. I had bilateral grade 1 tumors and had no chemo because of my low score. Most grade 1 tumors score low.

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  • Knitpig
    Knitpig Member Posts: 42
    edited April 2017

    Hello. I'm sorry you're going through this.

    I am around your age (33) and was diagnosed in January of this year. A lot of the next steps will be driven by your biopsy pathology.

    The first month is really scary and involves a lot of waiting and wondering. It was one of the hardest things for me. You should discuss fertility preservation with your Oncologist. For now, you should consider your plans of pregnancy on hold for the next couple years (I'm sorry!)

    Please feel free to message me with any questions.

    I was stage 1, Er/PR+ and Her2-. My invasive cancer was less than 1cm total and was not in my lymph nodes so even though I am young I was not treated with chemotherapy. I had a mastectomy and will have hormone therapy for 5-10 years but it IS possible to be young and avoid chemo- it depends on the characteristics of your cancer.

    I'm glad you're going to a University/team for treatment. I know it doesn't seem like it right now but you will be OK.



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  • BCinGA
    BCinGA Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2017

    Just wanted to chime in. I'm 37 and was able to have a lumpectomy and radiation with no chemo. My oncotype was 12, but before that result they were assuming I'd need chemo. If you have to do it, you'll get through it! There are a lot of great people and posts here to help you through!

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited April 2017

    Similarly, I'm 38, had ER/PR+ Her2 negative Grade 2 plus small spread to one node. I didn't have chemo because my Mammaprint results came back as low risk of metastatic spread. The surgeon assumed chemo and the oncologist said to wait and do the testing. I did get what I call the deluxe radiation. They radiated all of the lymph node areas just in case.

    We had to make the decision to not try for anymore kids (we have a 4 year old). The oncologist said I could do tamoxifen for a couple of years and then come off, but I don't want to try to have another child over 41. I don't have energy for that--shoot I can barely chase around my super sweet daughter. But it was on my doctor's radar...so definitely bring it up to your medical team. There are things they can do to preserve your fertility for later. You are young enough to consider all of that. And I think that's only if you get chemo. Surgery and radiation won't hurt your eggs, so if you don't need chemo all you have to figure out later is when to stop hormone therapy to get pregnant. But if you need chemo then they need to take action.

    Because of your family history and age they are probably going to talk with you about genetic testing (BRCA etc..) Those results can help decide how aggressive you want to be with surgery and/or follow-up monitoring.

    It's ok to feel overwhelmed. It's overwhelming. Somehow you get through it--a bunch of us are proof of that!

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  • lt84
    lt84 Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2017

    Thank you all so much! I know you all know that overwhelmed is an understatement. Nurse for the oncologist called and they are still waiting for official results in their end just to make sure that they agree with what the previous pathologist said. She said it's early stages and called it a well behaved cancer. Thank you for all of the prayers

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  • lt84
    lt84 Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2017

    I really appreciate your feedback. Had a little breakdown today for the first time in a few days. It's just crazy having to face these options you never thought you'd ever have to deal with.

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