Can someone help me understand please

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WorriedMe77
WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
edited December 2017 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

My cancer is invasive mammary carcinoma of no special type (ductal) intermediate combined histology Nottingham grade 2

10 mm in extent involving multiple cores

I know it means I have cancer but beyond that I'm totally confused. I need it it broke down into terms that I fully understand.

I'm sure my surgeon will explain things tomorrow I got this information from my pathology report I'm taking him in the morning. My anxiety is terrible and I just want to under stand what's going on without feeling like I'm stupid for not knowing


Also I’ve been having pain discomfort in my chest breast neck shoulder and upper arm area

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited November 2017

    A little about IMC: Invasive mammary carcinoma, (IMC) also called infiltrating mammary carcinoma, is a mixture of invasive ductal and lobular carcinomas. That means the cancer grows where the breast lobe, or gland that produces milk, meets the breast duct, which is the tube that carries the milk to the nipple. Invasive cancer is fast-growing and aggressive. (from John Hopkins)


    Grade 2 is in-between less aggressive (or slow growing grade 1) and fast growing most aggressive grade 3.

    10mm gives you an approximate size of area measured. You won't really know the size of tumor until surgery. Multiple core means they took several samples of the tumor.

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited November 2017

    so could this blue sometime bluish green nipple discharge be connected ? I also ha e a lot of discomfort sometimes even pain in my breast chest neck and arm area but since I have a fused shoulder with lots of metal rods plates and pins and I have severe anxiety so I also though that was the reason behind my pain

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited November 2017

    Any time you have discharge from the nipple area, it should be reported to a doctor. Since yours is termed ductal it very well may mean it is related. A very good question to ask your doctor.

    The pain may be related to the rods/pins. They will probably do more test/screenings on you depending if they think lymph nodes may be involved. You can also request for more comprehensive test (like a PET scan or MRI) but doctors will also see what insurance covers. That usually means the more concerned they may be the more test may be ordered.

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  • solfeo
    solfeo Member Posts: 838
    edited November 2017
    I had a lifelong history of greenish discharge, but I was always told that green discharge is usually from cysts. You do have to get it checked out to be sure but there were never any cancer cells in it, even around the time I was diagnosed with BC. Obviously I did eventually end up with breast cancer or I wouldn't be here. The fibrocystic condition was a risk factor, but according to my doctors, not a directly related cause.
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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited November 2017

    Worried, no one is prepared for this and we all started knowing nothing! So please don't let anyone make you feel stupid. I had a similar diagnosis, read a lot, got an MRI, had a lumpectomy and am feeling much better about this long journey we are all on. Do let us know how we can help.

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    Well ladies I had my lumpectomy this morning along with a sential lymph node biopsy, and I'm sitting in my very own bed writing this.God is so good 😊 I believe that my anticipation or anticipation of the unknown was the worst and I have great team of doctors that are making me feel very reassured and I'm just ready to kick cancers ass along with all the rest of you beautiful ladies. I just have to tell you ladies so the tech came in the room this morning and I knew I had to have this this lymph node biopsy but I didn't remember the details and she tells me it was Robertson I have to give you an injection in your nipple With no numbingmedicine and it's going to hurt. Since I don't even remember which I'm sure they told me but I don't remember the specific conversation and I was already having madding anxiety I totally freaked out I was like oh no I cannot have a biopsy on my nip while I'm away no No way this is no way to do this totally freaking out. Turns out it was a very little needle almost like a TB shot that I had to get for some radio active activity but I completely blew it out of proportion laughing my butt off but I was very nervous thought maybe some of you ladies that have gone through the same thing my need a little laugh there was a year of how overdramatic I was I was just like the way no no no my nipple no numbingmedicine what

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    So I woke up this morning in quite a bit of pain, and the worst sore throat I've had in a very long time. Laughing my butt off at least am no longer peeing blue . I believe this increase her pain is just from the hospital medication wearing off and me not getting up last night and taking any pain medication because I was so nauseated I was worried it would make me throw up

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited December 2017

    Yes, i imagine your sore throat is from the breathing tube they put in your lungs to help you breathe during surgery. Warm salt water gargles and Tylenol will help that. The incision site can be quite painful after the anesthesia wears off. We often think of LX as minor surgery, like having wisdom teeth removed. But it is pretty invasive, as they have to dig around in there quite a lot--breasts are exquisitely sensitive and they don't like to be manhandled.

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    I’m very very sore but grateful I’m here to be sore!!!!

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    image

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited December 2017

    Good morning. How are you feeling? Looks like the biopsy report is what your doctor expected, yes? Be good to yourself today. We are thinking good thoughts for you.


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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    this is the pathology report from my breast biopsy. Will have the pathology report from my surgery on 12-4-2017 when I go in for my post Ob appt/ Feeling much better some pain and discomfort but getting easier each day. Trying to completely stop the narcotic pain meds today and switch to otc meds only. However I’m still taking my anxiety meds. My prayers and happy thoughts for all my fellow sisters fighting the ugly c!!!! We got this ladies!!! Good days Bad days we all have em but so blessed for everyday I get to se

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    I woke up today And I am in excruciating pain. I’m having more pain and discomfort this morning then I’ve had since the lumpectomy.

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    so I was wondering if anybody else is menstrual cycle stopped after a lumpectomy?? My surgery was Monday my period was due Friday and now it’s sunday night still no perio

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    went To my postop appointment today, I was told by my surgeon that My biopsy on my lymph nodes test positive for cancer,Because my cancer is considered to be somewhat aggressive I’m going to have to have chemotherapy with the radiation. I’m extremely scared I don’t really know what to expect I’ve heard all kinds of horror stories from people. Oh man man man not what I thought I was going to heartoday

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  • Falconer
    Falconer Member Posts: 1,192
    edited December 2017
    Worried, sorry that you received unexpected news today. You're not alone; you'll make it through this.
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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited December 2017

    So sorry to hear the news. Try to take it one day at a time; ask a lot of questions; and get a second opinion if you are unsure of your doctor or the treatment being recommended for you. You can do this!

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  • Libber
    Libber Member Posts: 86
    edited December 2017

    Diagnosis is scary. You will get through this. I was terrified but sailed through all treatments and feeling better and positive now that all is behind me. I was diagnosed with bilateral BC. Different types and different hormone status in each which was terrifying at the time. Chemo, followed by bi-lateral mastectomy. Then radiation on TNBC side with micromets in one node. It was scary but now that it’s done am feeling back to normal. I worked through treatment with some time off because of surgery. Had reconstruction as well with implants.

    Do take time to figure out what is best for you. 2nd opinions. Be confidant in what you wish to do. Short term pain for long term gains. That is what my chemo nurse told me and she was right.

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited December 2017

    The unknown is always scary. Chemo was doable and radiation wasn't too bad at all for me. You are young and otherwise healthy? What I mean is do you have any other health issues? Usually those who have bad SE may have other underlying health issues.

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    Does stage and grade mean the same thing

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  • Wooliz
    Wooliz Member Posts: 8
    edited December 2017

    I totally agree, I was also worried about the nuclear medicine injection, it wasn't as bad as I thought. I had to have it twice, didn't work the first time. I also had a lumpectomy 3 weeks ago. I was diagnosed Stage 2A Grade 3, size 3.8cm, 2 lymph nodes removed and not infected. The experts are advising chemo due to the aggressiveness. What to do. People I talk with are surprised that I need chemo with clear lymph nodes. So worried

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  • Hariry
    Hariry Member Posts: 138
    edited December 2017

    Hi worriedme,

    No, staging tells how far the cancer cells have gone (ie 1 if only the lump, 2 if nodes involved)

    Grading tells how fierce or aggressive the cells behave. Both need to be considered while planning for treatment

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  • WorriedMe77
    WorriedMe77 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    I was told I’m stage 2 grade 2

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  • keepthefaith
    keepthefaith Member Posts: 2,156
    edited December 2017

    WM, there are specific threads on the forum that you can turn to, depending on your stage and type of treatment. It is scary, but for most of us, once the treatment starts, the feeling of empowerment over-takes the fear. One day at a time and soon you'll be looking at it through your rear-view mirror!

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