My path report says invasive ductal carcinoma with apocrine features.

Posted by sirene @sirene, Jun 17, 2023

My path report say invasive ductal carcinoma with apocrine features. Does anyone know what this might mean?

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@windyshores

@sirene many of us have taken aromatase inhibitors like anastrazole and letrozole with few side effects. I did have minor joint pain that abated if I walked more than 20 minutes. By 40 minutes it was better. If your docs recommend that you take one, it helps to understand that those who have fewer or no side effects are less likely to post on a forum.

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Thank you, I’m already taking Letrozole and doing well on it. I have had some hair thinning and some insomnia but that’s all. With the apocrine features being found in my second opinion pathology, I am not sure if my treatment will change or not. I should find out tomorrow.

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Thank you! Yes, my husband is going with me. I have been on Letrozole since March 31st. The pathology from my second opinion dr shows apocrine features which was not on my original pathology report. I am not sure if my treatment will change with this new finding. I have hot flashes as well, hair thinning and insomnia. But, I can handle all of that. 😊

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@sirene

Thank you, I’m already taking Letrozole and doing well on it. I have had some hair thinning and some insomnia but that’s all. With the apocrine features being found in my second opinion pathology, I am not sure if my treatment will change or not. I should find out tomorrow.

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Good luck with the appointment @sirene !

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@sirene You likely already know that reports such as pathology reports are released before you’ve met with your doctor. I think this is a good thing however in some cases (such as my own after my hysterectomy for endometrial cancer) the report can cause a lot of anxiety. We see these reports now because of a change in U.S. federal law.

Individual Rights to Access Their Health Information:

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/access/index.html#:~:text=With%20limited%20exceptions%2C%20the%20HIPAA,care%20providers%20and%20health%20plans.

There can be confusing and technical information the average person (like me) does not understand. This is why we need to talk with our medical providers as soon as possible after the pathology report is released to us.

It’s good that you will meet with your doctor today. Will you please come back and let me know what your doctor says and if your treatment will change based on the pathology report?

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@windyshores

Yes, it looks very rare! Good luck with the doc! Maybe you can educate us...

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@windyshores she only said that it wouldn't change my treatment which is Letrozole. I see my local oncologist this Friday and will see what he says.

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@naturegirl5

@sirene You likely already know that reports such as pathology reports are released before you’ve met with your doctor. I think this is a good thing however in some cases (such as my own after my hysterectomy for endometrial cancer) the report can cause a lot of anxiety. We see these reports now because of a change in U.S. federal law.

Individual Rights to Access Their Health Information:

https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/access/index.html#:~:text=With%20limited%20exceptions%2C%20the%20HIPAA,care%20providers%20and%20health%20plans.

There can be confusing and technical information the average person (like me) does not understand. This is why we need to talk with our medical providers as soon as possible after the pathology report is released to us.

It’s good that you will meet with your doctor today. Will you please come back and let me know what your doctor says and if your treatment will change based on the pathology report?

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@naturegirl5 she only said that it would not change my treatment. I am seeing my local dr this Friday and will get his opinion about it as well.

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Hi. I'm new here. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma with apocrine features and am triple negative. I appears that I will be having surgery first (mastectomy) and possibly chemo or radiation after if needed. Does anyone have any personal experience with this variety of cancer and its treatment? I'm getting restless waiting to start some sort of treatment.

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@mkb4435

Hi. I'm new here. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma with apocrine features and am triple negative. I appears that I will be having surgery first (mastectomy) and possibly chemo or radiation after if needed. Does anyone have any personal experience with this variety of cancer and its treatment? I'm getting restless waiting to start some sort of treatment.

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I had invasive ductal carcinoma with apocrine features. I was stage 1A, hormone positive, her 2 negative and had a bilateral mastectomy in January of this year. The oncotype score showed that chemo would only benefit me less than 1% so I only have to take an AI. @mkb4435

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@sirene

I had invasive ductal carcinoma with apocrine features. I was stage 1A, hormone positive, her 2 negative and had a bilateral mastectomy in January of this year. The oncotype score showed that chemo would only benefit me less than 1% so I only have to take an AI. @mkb4435

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Thanks for your comment. I'm not familiar with oncotype scoring so that is another thing I can look up. I'm glad if you're not having to go through chemo unnecessarily. I assume your lymph nodes were clear of cancer cells?

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