Calling ladies with 4+cm or larger breast masses

bump

Sammi-- I'm sorry your daughter is wrestling with this beast. I understand her feelings to just get on with surgery to get the cancer OUT. But if there isn't enough tissue in the chest to close the incision without wide margins that don't have cancer cells, there's a risk that the skin in the scar will grow more tumors down the line.

I would also recommend a second opinion, which is a good idea for anyone with any cancer diagnosis, no matter what the original physician's treatment decisions. Vanderbilt would be a good place to go. Does your insurance require a referral for a second opinion? If yes, just get the process going. If no, call Vanderbilt yourself and make an appointment. Have your daughter gather up all her records--pathology report, treatment details, labs, MRI and CT reports. A reviewing doctor will want to look at everything.

Gentle hugs from California!

Hi Sammi,

I had a 9cm tumor removed from my barely-a-B-cup chest. I chose BMX without reconstruction, which was done prior to chemo and radiation. I don't understand why they would call your daughter's tumor inoperable. Getting a second opinion is a very good call. Your daughter is so very fortunate to have you in her corner. Take care.

Lindsay

My tumor was over 10 cm and they were able to operate. I was a c cup as well with very dense breast, so a harder surgery. I spent 6 hours on the operating table, maybe that is why the surgeon doesnt want to take it? You said she has other medical issues, maybe some of those come into play? 6 hrs was removal of tumor and level 1 and 2 axillary. I also had intramamary and rotter nodes that shrunk during chemo and they decided to leave alone, because it is a harder surgery and can cause major complications. I only add this, because I wanted those cancerous nodes gone. Got another opinion and got the same answer.I spent another 30 minutes getting a tissue expander. Please get another opinion then you will hopefully know why the recommendation is what it is. Good luck!

Mine was over 6 cm. I did surgery first. It felt good psychologically to get rid of it. I just wanted it gone!!!

Then - did chemo and rads... I honestly don't know which way is better (chemo first vs surgery first). But, I hated my breasts and wanted them gone.

Cancer sucks - but your daughter is lucky to have such a caring mother to support her!!!

Hi, Sammi. After my dx, I was referred to see the surgeon. He had one look and one feel of the tumor. Then he said " sometimes we do things differently. I will refer you to an oncologist." Then i had ct and bone scan before my appointment with the oncologist. My oncologist told me that my tumor is locally advanced because a lymph node under my arm was affected. He told me he never expects my type of tumor will disappear completely with chemo. His aim is to gain maximum clear margin for surgery. He examed my tumor after each ac. Each time he said "no significant changes. At least it's not growing." But i could feel the small shrinkage of my tumor. He ordered another ct scan after my 4th taxol, which showed that the tumor was "significantly smaller". He was "brilliantly happy" with the result. I will have my taxol #7(out of 12) tomorrow. I feel that my tumor is significantly flatter, not much changes in size in other dimensions , still firmly attached to the chest wall, still as hard as before, the lymph node still palpable.……I guess I will have a long recovery from the surgery. Best wishes with your second opinion.

I had a 6 cm tumor plus and also had surgery first, then chemo. Your thoughts for your daughter to go for a second opinion at Vanderbilt would be very wise.

Sending my best wishes.

Glad to hear that things are progressing for your daughter Sammi. I have just finished radiation. I can tell you mine was also 8cm (largest tumor as I was multi-focal and multi-central) when I started and the large one did not shrink much with 4 ddAC and 12 Taxol, but it did get softer and my affected lymph nodes also softened. My doctor never said mine was inoperable, but did say that they wanted to try to decrease the size before he operated. I had the same problem with extremely dense breast (small D, large C cup), they did an MRI to try to get a better measurement. A second opinion never hurts.

I am starting my inhibitors tomorrow or as soon as the pharmacist as them ready.

Texgirl, thanks for coming back and posting. It gives us hope. Xx

I had a 7 cm tumor and I had very small breasts.

I had mastectomy before treatment. The surgeon told me they could not get recommended margins because the tumor was close to chest wall. They also removed 18 nodes in which two were positive with extracapsular extension.

Anyways, after AC + T chemo, radiation, ovary removal and 5 years hormone therapy, I am NED 14 years later.

Good luck to your daughter and I agree that you are a wonderfully supportive mother. She is lucky to have you.

wallan

Hi beauz, how are you finding Xeloda? I was offered Xeloda, but decided against it in the hope of getting into one of the Palbociclib trials, only to miss out. Xx

Hi beauz, no I'm not going to do Xeloda. I changed oncologists and the second opinion recommended I go straight to radiation which is what I did. I'm actually feeling pretty good now I've finished my treatment, so I don't really want to take any more drugs. I just want to get some strength back and not have to worry about low WBC and potential infections. I'm glad to hear you're doing ok on it. Xx