Biopsy Diagnosis, received.. Curious

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dsueb
dsueb Member Posts: 7
edited February 2018 in Just Diagnosed

I received some information about my biopsy today. I have intermediate grade invasive ductal carcinoma and metastatic ductal carcinoma in my lymph nodes. I have not seen anything in writing yet. Neither person I spoke with would give me any rating numbers, the radiologist said I needed to not worry about numbers and just wait until I see the specialist, which concerns me because he has been very upfront and honest with me both times I have seen him and I specifically asked him for these. Maybe I shouldn't think this way but I find that concerning. I have a 1.0 cm x 0.8 cm mass, satellite mass (unsure of size) and a 5 cm x 2.6 cm x 4.6 cm in my axillary lymph node. Any helpful insight would be appreciated.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited February 2018

    Hi there and I'm so sorry you are going through this. I did not have lymph node involvement, so I'll wait until someone smarter comes along on that. But do remember that breast cancer is very treatable; medicine today is very good; and you can get a second opinion at every step of the process if that is helpful to you. Some radiologists are more knowledgeable than others about treatment options, so I wouldn't read too much into his response.

    Personally, I always asked for copies of my reports so I could make a more informed set of choices. You don't know yet it seems if it is IDC or ILC, if it is ER/PR positive or negative, if it is HER2 positive or negative, etc. Treatments are now targeted so that is important information. So for now, the best advice I can give you is to be optimistic, find the closest breast cancer center, and make an appointment with an experienced breast cancer surgeon or a medical oncologist. We'll be here to help.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited February 2018

    When I found out my biopsy results, all the radiologist knew was that it was IDC and grade 2 (intermediate grade). The rest had to be processed by pathology and I didn't find out specific tumor biology until 5 days later when I saw the surgeon and started discussing treatment options. I didn't find out about my positive node until after surgery. In any event it honestly could be they don't have additional information for you!

    Hang in there!

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  • dsueb
    dsueb Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2018

    Thank you for the responses Georgia1 and gb2115. I know you both understand how hard it is knowing but only a limited amount of information and having to wait for the rest. I appreciate your posts!

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited February 2018

    This is the hardest part. Once you know the full picture and have a plan you'll feel better. Let us know how we can help.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2018

    Usually it is the surgeon or doc who orders the biopsy who reads the results from the radiologist. I've never had a radiologist talk to me about any pathology report.

    It sounds like a simple protocol thing and I wouldn't read anymore into it.

    Hugs

    Claire

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited February 2018

    My radiologist did give me the results and initiate the beginning of setting up a treatment team--he was the point of entry into the diagnostic and treatment system. I had no lump, but rather an ambiguous couple of mammograms followed by a stereotactic biopsy, ordered and conducted by the radiologist who had read my mammogram. There was no surgeon or gynecologist involved yet, and my PCP wasn't qualified to do anything at this point.

    However, he was the radiologist, not a radiology tech.

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited February 2018

    That is a big lymph node mass compared to the tumour! However, you do need more description in order to make a plan for treatment. You are still early stage.

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  • CoComedy
    CoComedy Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2018

    I’m newly diagnosed as well so I don’t have any advice or know too much about all this. However, I know once I talked to my surgeon and started developing a treatment plan I felt soooo much better. There are many treatment options these days. We have every reason to be optimistic about the future. Hang in there! (((( Hugs))))

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  • dsueb
    dsueb Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2018

    Thank you all so much for the information. It is sincerely appreciated. My appointment with a surgeon was made for this coming Friday. I will get some answers very soon. Things are going very quickly. Nice...but a little scary too

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