Advice Please

Hi there, sorry you have to join us, but you'll find lots of good support and comfort here!

My surgeon did my lumpectomy and at that time the basic pathology was also done. The path reports were sent to the surgeon, who I met with the next day, and he reviewed the results (cursory, he wasnt an oncology surgeon, so whatever a surgeon says to you--mine shared some info that wasn't actually completely right, so remember the first report is often suspect) with me. Then he recommended an oncologist, had his office person send my records to the oncologist, and boom, I was out of the gate, running on the track of more specific dxes, tx ops, tests etc.

The complete tumor pathology takes longer than the initial "it is, or isn't cancer; this is the grade, this is the size, + nodes etc." I didn't find out about my ER/PR+ status and all the rest till I saw my own MO about 2 weeks after the lumpectomy and meet with the surgeon that did it.

Claire in AZ

Is there such a thing as a grade 1 triple negative? Given a grade 1 I think you will do well. Other factors, of course, will come into it but it is a small tumour. Wishing you all the best markers!!!! (((HUGS))))

hi there, I'm new to this forum and would love some advice. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma) back in 2014 after a biopsy on some calcifications seen on Mamo. I had to have lumpectomy and a month radiation. When they done testament on what the took out it showed I have extensive LCIS and ADH. Today I had a Mamo and U/S and the Mamo picked up on a lump which I can feel. The ultra sound didn't. I was told the lump is a lipoma. Nothing to worry about! I have mixed feelings about this because of my previous diagnoses. Can anyone tell me whether I should be checked again for ADH? or would it have all been taken out with my lumpectomy back in 2014? I'm nervous this is something more. Should I consider a mastectomy. I'd love to hear other peoples views on this. Thank you❤️

I think this is still on topic for second opinions. i was diagnosed with an IDC on 12/15/17 and got a second opinion from one of the other major medical facilities in my region. Because it was right before the holidays, I met with the surgeon from one group and then an oncologist from my second opinion group. On 1/3/18 I finally met with my second opinion surgeon, after this facility did their own extensive series of mammograms and ultrasounds. Her initial recommendation was same as first, lumpectomy with radiation but she(unlike first surgeon) said she could not spare the nipple as my cancer abutted it. However, they sent me for another stereotactic biopsy of another suspicious spot which turned out to be DCIS in the back of the breast, changing my diagnosis to multicentric breast cancer with a recommendation of a mastectomy. I am trying to decide to do one or both. Anyway, weird that I could have had a lumpectomy with radiation at a fine facility and still had a cancer waiting in back. So claireinaz, can you direct me to information about how to get a second (or third) opinion from MD Anderson. Colleen80, my nurse friends said any respectable doctor would be fine with second opinions, so I asked around about who my friends (and their friends) recommended. In my case, I called but then had records shared. Grade 1 is great, but I understand there is still so much unknown. I'm telling myself (and you) for once, don't be afraid to make waves, ask questions, and do whatever you need to do to be informed and make the best possible decision based on the data you have available (because there may not be one "right" answer). Good luck!

I’ll chime in on 2nd opinions- some breast surgeons only work with certain plastic surgeons. Knowing the type of recon you want to go with (implants or natural tissue) is important when it comes to this. Also do you prefer immediate recon at the time of MX or delayed. Or do you prefer going flat. Even if going flat you should make sure your breast surgeon will work with your plastic surgeon-the plastic surgeon will do the prettying up of the incisions the BS makes.