Breast Cancer Diagnosis CT Scan Results

Options
ag471
ag471 Member Posts: 6
edited December 2018 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

Hi all,

My mom (56 years old) was diagnosed with breast cancer last week after her biopsy result of a large tumor (5cm) came back as aggressive (Grade 3). During the surgeon visit, she was clinically diagnosed with IBC due to rash around her breast and therefore as Stage 3. The lymph nodes biopsy came back as inconclusive. We were set up with a bone scan, CT Scan, Chest Xray, blood works and an ECG. It has been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks with all of us going through a high range of emotions. Due to being diagnosed as an IBC, the surgeon wants to do chemotherapy followed by surgery followed by radiation therapy.

Her results have come in and we are scheduled to meet the medical oncologist (for chemotherapy) this Friday. Our family physician has also been getting the results and has been conveying them to us at our request.


Her bone scans came clear as well as the CT scan results for abdomen, liver, and pancreas. They did find 2 small nodules in the outer layer (?) of the lung, but nothing else worrying there. The radiologist report recommends a follow up CT scan in 6-12 months. They find the lymph nodes below the breast as interesting and recommend a biopsy. Our family physician says that the oncologist will make a call for a biopsy of the nodes, but since they are already proceeding with chemotherapy, it should not change anything. With regards to the nodules in the lung, he mentions that it is quite common and most often benign, but I can't help but worry if this could mean something else? He mentions that it should not impact the staging.

She has had shingles in the past on the same breast in a similar area which had all cleared up. Her rash currently, she also believes, is shrinking which apparently is not too common with IBC. Is that true?


Has anyone had experience with lung nodules with BC/IBC that were benign/malignant?

Has anyone had/or heard of shingles flare up been misdiagnosed as IBC?

This looks like an incredible forum and thank you all so much for reading this.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited December 2018

    Sorry about your Mom’s DX. You are a loving daughter. She is going to need your support and help. It sounds like the process is in the works which is good because she doesn’t have to wait too long for the next step.

    Idk about the shingles impact on her DX. I would ask her doctor. I had shingles many years ago. Mild case. FYI I had IDC BC. My sister had the same kind as your mother.

    As for the lung nodules it is very common. My sister had one she probably had for 20 years. They are for the vast majority benign. They could be caused by other things too like scar tissue which it was in my case.

    Save your questions and definitely consult her doctors about your concerns. That’s their job.

    We are here to help in any way we can.

    Keep the faith and keep us posted.

    Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited December 2018

    I think most of us had a lung nodule indicated on our CT and told it is pretty common and they are generally benign. I wouldn't worry too much about that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ag471
    ag471 Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2018

    Thank you so much for the replies so far guys. I'm a son. As a daughter I might have been able to do more. I'll update her data more after meeting the oncologist tomorrow.


    Any questions you all would suggest that should be directed to the medical oncologist?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ag471
    ag471 Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2018

    I thought I will update you fine folks. We met with the medical oncologist today. She is concerned with the lung nodules. There were a few that show up in a chest x-ray from 2012, so that might be a good sign. But apparently the Lung lymph nodes are enlarged as well. They believe that it can be due to Tuberculosis which is asymptotic so far. The location of the nodules and the lymph nodes is not usually typical of cancer, but they can't rule it out and still want to put it as a decent likelihood (They said 75% TB, 25% otherwise). Also they can't start chemotherapy till they rule out TB since complications can happen. We have travelled to countries that would have exposed us to TB so it is possible, but it is so nerve wrecking since we still don't have answers. Will have to do a Bronchoscopy to look at the lungs further.


    Fortunately the medical oncologist doesn't think it is IBC which they were worried about, since the rash has really gone down and it is not displaying any further symptoms. Lets see how it goes. They believe they will be able to start Chemo in the first week of January irrespective.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2018

    Thank you for the update ag471! Please continue to keep us updated and we'll all be sending our positive thoughts your way!

    --The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories