Newly diagnosed: IDC Tubular Carcinoma of the Breast

@mick2
Hi Linda - It is all a lot to take in at once, but please do not panic. I had 3 cancerous nodes and one eroded into the lymphatic system (invasive). It had partial mastectomy of that side (which was pretty much the whole breast as I was quite large breasted) and the other side was reduced while they were there. You will be able to take care of yourself at home. I stayed one night in the hospital and my hubby was with me there as the rooms in this hospital had a sleeping nook. I think about the first 2-3 days I was unable to "milk" the tub and drain the little bulb holder by myself as I was a bit sore, however, after that I was able to accomplish it on my own. Yes, you don't want to get the area wet, but you can use a washcloth to clean yourself. I have a hand-held shower head to wash me from the waste down and I washed my hair in the laundry room sink. You will want to keep track of the drainage from the tubes as the surgeon will decide then when the tubes come out, i.e. amount and clarity of fluid. Be sure to write down all your questions as you think of them so that you can ask the oncology surgeon and have a family member with you as well because what you forget, they will remember. Since yours is invasive, you may have extra radiation treatments - I had a total of 30. And if you were ER/PR positive and her2-neu negative, they will suggest you go on an aromatase inhibitor - those will be a whole lot of extra questions! In the meantime, and again, DO NOT PANIC. Take one day at a time. Following surgery what helped me was to count of 1 day at a time of my "tube time," i.e. 21, 20, 19, etc. You can do this...we all believe on you!

In December of 2019, I was diagnosed with IDC i.e.invasive Ductal Carcinoma. 80% of breast cancers are this kind. I have not heard about anything called tubular unless you are saying that you will have a drainage tube; that comes with the surgery anyway (and there are other surgeries that have this, not just breast surgery). In thinking of all this, it is very overwhelming at first. Take one step at a time...Read about it so nothing comes as a shock. For me, I decided to see the big picture first...What is the safest way to go...i.e. Do you want to live? I felt that the best way to insure that the cancer could not spread (even though it was below Stage 1) was to have a complete mastectomy on my right breast plus the testing of the lymph nodes and I did. Yes, be careful to see that you have enough drainage going on...I was not a good candidate for reconstruction, per surgeon, due to other medical conditions and so I put that to rest. My mother also had a "radical" mastectomy as it was called in those days -(70's) done 53 years ago and she lived to be 90. I pray for you, find peace with it...

Thank you so much for the positive response. Tubular is how it grows...hard to find it. MRI today, genetic testing on way.

Hi Sue and Linda,
I was diagnosed with invasive tubular carcinoma with two positive nodes 29 years ago! I had a lumpectomy, chemo(CMF) and radiation and 5 years of tamoxifen. My cancer(🤞) has no recurred. I was diagnosed two years ago with DCIS on the opposite side. Have just had three surgeries( includes reconstruction). I wish you two best of luck with your surgeries and treatment. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. You can do this!!!!