Ductal carcinoma. Can surgery cause cancer to spread?

I was diagnosed with Ductile Invasive Carcinoma in November of 2024. After a Mammogram in October I felt
a lump in November. Fast forward, after a diagnostic biopsy, it was cancer and was caught quickly! I am fortunate to live near Mayo Jacksonville and got on the list for an appointment. Had also reached out to Moffitt Hospital in Tampa. My Doctor's team determined that with the type cancer I have has the best results with Chemotherapy then surgery. I was diagnosed with Estrogen + and HER 2 +. I have had one chemo treatment and the shot and found the shot is what is "whooped me"!!! Once the chemo is done, they will do surgery and I, at this point, am opting for a Lumpectomy. At this point because I caught it so quickly it has not reached my lymph nodes!!

Thank you so much for this information, I have not seen nor is it on my portal yet the biopsy results. Not thrilled about that and do not know why. I am 68 but not sure I want a double mastectomy.

Your decision will be totally unique to you. There is no wrong or right. My surgery was Aug 23 2024, so I am almost 6 month post op. I have healed very well and I am happy with my results.
I went on a clothes shopping spree 3 weeks after my surgery and made it a fun outing. I am learning to love my new body! No more bras! No more mammograms!

That shot can absolutely whoop up on you. I remember how much bone pain I would get. A few years ago when my brother was on chemo, they told him to take Claritin for two days before the shot and two more days after and he never got bone pain from it. You could ask your doctor if this might help.
How are you handling everything?

Thanks so much for this information! I am trying to coordinate all my nausea medicines so I stop feeling sick too!! We all will get through this! Sending everyone positive thoughts!!!

Update after seeing the surgeon is Invasive Ductile Carcinoma, grade 3 the estrogen one. I will have surgery Feb 4 and they will do a biopsy of my lymph gland to check and decide if they all come out. Sounds like I will have radiation and Chemo but do not know yet.

@checker98 you will probably have an Oncotype Dx test or similar testing to determine if chemo is beneficial, or if it is better to do only hormonal meds. What surgery are you having?

I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma first of October. I insisted on Genetic Testing and a PETSCAN even though it was early Stage 1. Every thing came back clear! They also did Oncotype testing and found I was Triple Negative. I elected to have a double mastectomy end of October, 7 lymph nodes were all clear. 🙏🏻. I got a 2nd opinion at Mayo in Rochester for my treatment and actually found out I have a rare Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma, not IDC. I’m currently on (weekly treatments)3 months of chemo(Carboplatin &Paclitaxel) then 3 more months of (Doxorubin &Cyclosphamide) if my heart and lungs are able to take it. I’m using ice socks/mittens/Cold Cap to help with possible Neuropathy side effects & hair loss. Time will tell. I hope this helps.

I had pretty much the same scenario and I'm 4 months post op and swelling was gone about 5 week after and all aches and pains gone now too.takes time ,be patient and good luck

Hi. I'm a little late to the post, but I hope things are in a positive direction for you. I wondered the same thing (can surgery cause cancer to spread) as it is what I've heard my whole life. The answer to the question, I think they (the American medical community) will never be honest enough to truly confirm or deny. IMO, you just have to trust your gut and go with it.
meeshodge had some great information in her post. SUPER long story short, I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago, started out as stage 0. Today, 2 lumpectomies and 16 weeks of chemo later, I don't think I have any more definitive information about spread or reoccurrence. Oncologist said my demographic and statistics put me in a category of gray matter that they really don't have a definitely treatment plan for that have proven, long-term results. So, I'm just trusting doing best I can down this path gathering as much information as possible along the way.
Don't be afraid to get second and third opinions if something doesn't sound right, or you're questioning it. Get every test. Every scan. And make sure it makes sense to you.