Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): Anyone else?

Hi there - I underwent my first lumpectomy last July and it showed invasive ductal cancer with 2 positive notes, one of which had eroded. I underwent 4 cycles of carboplatin and taxol every 3 weeks. Following that it was necessary to go back for a second lumpectomy as the margin was to close. In the meantime, I underwent MRI breast and a second lesion was noted and biopsied showing neuroendocrine cancer. The second lumpectomy was performed removing the remainder of first lesion as well as all of the second lesion and, in addition, the surgeon and plastic surgeon performed a reduction and reshaping of that breast as well as reduction of my other breast taking me down from an F+ to between a B and A cup --- finally, I can eat at a table without my breasts being on the table! Following healing from this, it was necessary to have 30 radiation treatments including the neck area due to the erosion of the one sentinel node. Chemo was not my favorite as I do not do well with drugs; however, I kept a journal and so after the first infusion, I knew what side effects to expect each time. Main thing I learned was to take Gas X due to the gas pains from chemo, reading material in the bathroom for diarrhea, have diarrhea medicine handy, and to keep telling myself to not be so hard on myself. Tubes from my second surgery hurt like heck, but my method to get through that was to mark each day off on the calendar and do a countdown. Radiation burns and blisters were doable by using calendula cream several times a day, aloe gel, and when blistering using prescription Silvadene ointment. I am told the invasive ductal cancer has a good outcome. However, for me when they found the neuroendocrine, it puts a whole new spin on it as it is quite rare, only 2% of the population getting this. I have had a PET scan done last night and await the results. I've been told for best chance of survival that I will need to do more chemotherapy with agents used for lung cancer of 4 cycles, 3 times a week. Just when my hair has grown back nicely, too. You will do fine - have patience. Your breast care coordinator should have information for you, but if not be sure to look at the different subjects here...the information is quite helpful. Best of luck to you.

Followup from first oncologist surgeon visit:

Body CT has been ordered for tomorrow, so things "could" change. Right now, the staging is 1B with Met to one lymph node. This is what is confirmed from biopsy. They only biopsied one lymph node because it was suspicious on the ultrasound that followed the mammogram.

Right now, the plan is to undergo surgery fairly quickly to remove small breast tumor with a healthy margin and lymph nodes under the arm. After pathology is done on all tissues, further treatment will be determined or not.

Surgeon was very encouraging and confident, even with the micropapillary pattern present because it's all been caught extremely early. Fingers are crossed for the CT scan tomorrow to be clear!!!!

How are you doing?

Many of us on the breast cancer threads have had ductal carcinoma: it is the most common form of breast cancer. After your surgery there will be tests on the tissue that guide treatment. This is the hardest time, when you are waiting for a plan. Many of us also are doing well years after diagnosis.

@salamander
Doing fine 5 years post-diagnoses. Have to be on aromatase inhibitors for 7 years due to cancer in three nodes and one breaking into lymph system as well as second tumor being neuroendocrine. Have to have yearly PET scans and 3D mammograms but in this time I’ve gotten two new grandchildren to be around. Doing fine from acute stroke 3 years ago as well. My angels are with me constantly!!!!! How are you doing?

Hi Papua, I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. It is very scary to hear at first. I was diagnosed in March and had a double mastectomy. Hearing the news can be very overwhelming but there is a lot to learn after. Stage, size of tumor etc. please email me if you would like to connect on this. Stacey

I have DCIS in situ. I have positive estrogens and progesterone and negative HER2. A very small tumor that was removed with a lumpectomy. I went for radiation consult and my early stage carcinoma with a 10% (actually in my case 4-6%) prognosis went to 20% via the radiologist AND he said if I don’t get radiation I have to get a mastectomy !!! I am meeting my primary oncologist again at the end of the month. I am researching that the DCIS in situ with no HER2 have a very good odds. Why is my radiologist trying to scare me so much????

I have DCIS in situ. I have positive estrogens and progesterone and negative HER2. A very small tumor that was removed with a lumpectomy. I went for radiation consult and my early stage carcinoma with a 10% (actually in my case 4-6%) prognosis went to 20% via the radiologist AND he said if I don’t get radiation I have to get a mastectomy !!! I am meeting my primary oncologist again at the end of the month. I am researching that the DCIS in situ with no HER2 have a very good odds. Why is my radiologist trying to scare me so much????