Newly diagnosed invasive ductal and lobular in right breast
Hi. I just turned 50. I was recently diagnosed with a 6.1 cm non mass like enhancement which is confirmed invasive ductal and lobular cancer. I see the surgeon on Tuesday to find out the plan. I do believe he will recommend mastectomy due to the size and it is located centrally and under the nipple. I am debating where to have the left breast removed also even though it is not showing any signs of cancer. I don’t want to go flat for emotional reasons and also I am a double D bra size so it would be a huge difference between the sides. But it also makes me sad removing a healthy breast. I am also wondering whether I will need chemo before or after. Has anyone experienced this diagnosis or similar? I should add there is no lymph node involvement.
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I had bilateral breast cancer 2 years ago. My left breast had ILC and IDC, Stage 1a, no lymph node involvement. Right breast had IDC, Stage 1a, no lymph node involvement. I chose bilateral mastectomy. My final pathology revealed A LOT! I had LCIS, ADH and DCIS!!! Two Onco DX tests were favorable, Score were 11 and 18. No chemo, no radiation, but I do take Anastrozole. I guess I would go with your gut, but Lobular can be tricky and if you have any of the other precursors a mastectomy might make you feel better. Surgery isn’t easy, neither is the Anastrozole, but I do have better peace of mind. Best of luck, you will get through this!
Lobular BC is known as the "sneaky BC" It forms in links and sheets of malignant cells. Where as Ductal tends to clump and form an easier to detect lump. I did not have very good and thorough surgeons , oncologists or nurse nor a very good insurance plan where I was at first for 7yrs. of this journey. I tried to be on top of things and at diagnosis and did the recommended masectomy. I would now that I am alive to tell you this 13 yrs later get a double mastectomy.
I don't necessarily believe the 1-3% chance for reccurrence , It depends on how vigilant yr drs etc. are and I think your own general approach to your health as a whole and of course other unknowns since BC is so varied. I think lobular if you have only a lumpectomy has a higher than 3% chance of returning espec. if it was in 2 lymph nodes.
I certainly have gone down rabbit holes. Have found ChatGPT very helpful. Log in with Apple or google ID. DCIS 22 yr ago L breast. Couldn’t get clear margins so mastectomy. Negative nodes. Declined tamoxifen. Fluke bilateral MRI in April. IDC in L breast again. Lumpectomy and removal of implant in 2 weeks. Oncotype score was 13. Refusing AIs. Will try very low dose tamoxifen I think. Radiation is my rabbit hole. Close enough to heart. Haven’t met with radiologist yet. I am so grateful I made it this far. 70 years now. Looking at proton radiation if it’s recommended. Will have to travel. No guarantee insurance will pay. Ready to get this going. Long 3 months
I recommend ChatGPT. It’s free login with Apple or Google ID. get about 12-15 questions before it times out. I looked at my chance of reoccurrence last night.
I'm 9 months post diagnosis. I've completed a double mastectomy, chemo and reconstruction. Still, I find myself in a "pick your poison" situation with endocrine therapy. I truly would not wish this journey on any one, but here we are. I'm so very thankful that we don't have to walk alone.
I'm working with a homeopathic doctor. She sent an email this weekend that said, " Society has long connected specific physical attributes with womanhood, making the physical alterations from breast cancer treatment particularly challenging to integrate into self-identity. Your essence, your chromosomes, your identity remain unchanged, even as your body has been through profound transformation. Each woman's journey with post-treatment body image is deeply personal."
My prayer for you, and for all of us is this: We find power in trusting our unique intuition, and we find peace with whatever we decide.
Thank you! I will look into that. Did any of the questions ask about results from genetic testing? I haven't gotten my results back yet.
My sister just told me about proton radiation. If I remember correctly, she said that Mayo in Arizona provides that. Insurance is a nightmare - wish everything would be covered. I have chronic pain and had made the decision to leave my job and apply for long-term disability with the goal of getting a handle on my chronic pain when I got my cancer diagnosis. Huge leap of faith because I am the one with the benefits, my husband does not have any. Here I was thinking I was going to be giving my body the rest it so desperately needed only to find out I need to gear up for battle. Grrrr!
Those were my thoughts as well. Also, my sister who had breast cancer 20 years ago who had a lumpectomy and chemo just found out she has cancer again. Ever since I heard that, I am leaning towards a double mastectomy.
I met with my surgeon and I’m scheduled for a single mastectomy on July 11th with a tissue expander and then reconstruction and symmetry surgery 2-4 months later. My onco type score was very low so no chemo. I was given a 3 percent chance of recurrence also. So far they are saying no radiation as my lymph nodes are showing clear but they will biopsy in surgery. I will be put on hormone blockers too. I haven’t even given myself time to think about those as I’m trying to get through one step at a time. It’s a lot but I feel very blessed and hopeful and ready to tackle this!! I am sorry to hear that you are newly diagnosed too. I wish you all the best in your recovery. Maybe we can be a help to each other!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!! My onco type score was 11 also. I opted for a single mastectomy and I know they will be scanning me constantly from here on out so I feel pretty confident in my decision. My recurrence rate was 3 percent. I am going to have symmetry surgery on my left side and reconstruction of the right in 2-4 months. I will be on a hormone blocker also. I’m not sure which one yet. I appreciate your positivity and your encouragement so much!!