Invasive ductal carcinoma, what should I expect?

Posted by sassyredhead @sassyredhead, Nov 14, 2023

I just found out today that I h ave invasive ductal carcinoma. What should I expect?

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katrina123 | @katrina123 | Nov 25, 2023

Mulky,
Would you mind me asking what type of breast cancer you had to begin with?
Angiosarcoma is a very serious diagnosis. I am so sorry that you are going through this.
Katrina

gemjaynes | @gemjaynes | Nov 26, 2023

Your recommended course of treatment will also depend upon oncotyping. Your tumor tissue will be sent to a lab to determine if your particular tumor has a greater chance of recurrence or metastasis without chemo. I did not know about the oncotype test, and was stunned when the oncologist told me my odds of survival improved a lot if I did chemo. So I did it. My cancer was ER+ ductal carcinoma invasive caught early on a mammogram. Margins and sentinel lymph node were all clear.

katgob | @katgob | Nov 26, 2023

In reply to @sassyredhead "Thank you I wish you the best of luck! If you read my comment above, I..." + (show)

Sassyredhead.
I could have wrote that name. I was treated for IDC and gene tested, so Brca2 was discovered, and I had chemo and a double mastectomy. Seems my tumor was Her2+.
I had red hair all my life. Middle of my back or so for 40 years. I wondered what would get me to cut my hair short. My friends all cut their hair near 60.
Ha! Cancer cut my hair. To my should for 1 week, 3 inches all over for another week, then it fell out. I am now about 6 inches back and my hair is red and curly as it was when I was a kid.
I too have an MO I trust, so I hope you get some good news. Allergic to adhesive on the skin is crazy!

anxious3 | @anxious3 | Dec 1, 2023

In reply to @dp77827 "Glad yours was caught early! The oncologist may or may not recommend you take med which..." + (show)

I'm new here. Just got the call today. IDC rt side, grade 2. That's all I know for now but am so scared. Anxiety and panic are so bad. I'm also on a blood thinner and worried about treatment. I hope you are doing well 💗

maryanne7 | @maryanne7 | Dec 1, 2023

In reply to @mulkey518 "This is Mulkey 518 -- when I was first dignosed with my first cancer I had..." + (show)

@mulkey518

This is Mulkey 518 -- when I was first dignosed with my first cancer I had 3 lumps which were hard to find and I complained for 2009 til 2014 when they finally found the lumps. My surgeon told me that they will do a Lumpectomy (May 2014) and 6 weeks of radiation along with an AI pill. I told my Surgeon on several ocassions that I wanted to have my breast totally removed. I was talked out of the Masectomy and into the Lumpectomy with radiation and the Ai pill. Well I had pain from the Lumpectomy from 2014 til they found the 2nd breast cancer on April 2023 (fro 9 years I had been constantly complaining of pain with each Mammogram and Ultrasound performed). Now this breast cancer is Angiosarcoma (bad news all around). So in my research I found that it was standard several years ago to do a Lumpectomy with 6 weeks of radiation and the AI pill (I took femora with no problem for 5 years) for low stage cancer, BUT IT HAS NOW BEEN FOUND that this isn't the thing to do anymore. Now it is stuggested that a Masectomy be performed instead of the Lumpectomy - no radiation - and the AI pill (what ever one your Medical Onclogist suggests). I do regret that I did not stand up to getting my breast remove the very first time - and I would not have gone through with the radiation - but would have taken the AI pill. The Study on this came out in July 2014. So I got radiation cancer in my blood vessels from taking radiation treatment with my first breast cancer. I am not trying to scare you but just know what the current protocol is now. So far I know of 3 people who have gotten this radiation cancer. It is Rare and Agressive and scary and I can not find any Trials or Studies on this Angiosarcoma. Do your research - read for yourself - There are 7 out of 100,000 people who could get this radiation cancer. I wish you well and success in your treatments. But also remember that the "Dumb Question" is the one not asked.

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To: Mulkey . Thank your for sharing this important information. Five years for a diagnosis is a long time. Sometimes the patient has better instincts than the doctor's science. I am sorry that happened to you.

dp77827 | @dp77827 | Dec 1, 2023

In reply to @anxious3 "I'm new here. Just got the call today. IDC rt side, grade 2. That's all I..." + (show)

I’m still doing radiation. I had to stop because I got Covid & had to stop treatment. My prayers to everyone in the chat whether your cancer past or present. Just please be careful, I try to be careful yet things still happen. When you’re in treatment your immune system is compromised. When I had surgery, I had to stop xarelto a few days, however with the covid I could not take the new meds as my doctor said it would interfere with my xarelto & he didn’t want to take me off it to take the new covid meds. I’m just grateful for another day & pray for you guys. We each have to make decongest for us & it can definitely trigger anxiety. My cancer was ER+ & I couldn’t take some meds due to my blood clot history & some would cause my joints to hurt based on what I’ve seen in chat room as well as my oncologist. I made decision not to take that as I had to stop my Celebrex due to xarelto. I felt I needed a quality of like. It is a lot but try to take deep breaths, read all you can, the chatroom is indoors well as good to talk to others who have gone thru what you are. Hang in there!! You will make decisions that are best for you. Love, hope & prayers! ❤️ ps sorry for the novel.

mulkey518 | @mulkey518 | Dec 2, 2023

In reply to @katrina123 "Mulky, Would you mind me asking what type of breast cancer you had to begin with?..." + (show)

I had to go back to my old folder to get the name of my first Breast Cancer;

I had Invasive Mammary Carcinoma with ductal and lobular features

In situ carcinoma with ductal and lobular features

Also involving fibroadenoma Estrogen Receptor (ER) Positive -- Progesterone Receptor (PgR) Positive.

I still don't understand it all. I was State 1 and Grade @

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 5, 2023

In reply to @anxious3 "I'm new here. Just got the call today. IDC rt side, grade 2. That's all I..." + (show)

Hi @anxious3, it's normal to be anxious and scared. It's a lot to take in. Because you mention that you also manage a heart condition, I want to tell you about a specialty called cardio-oncology. Some treatments can affect the heart and your cancer team will take extra precautions knowing you have heart disease.

Mayo Clinic offers a program to address heart problems associated with cancer treatment called cardio-oncology or for people who have a pre-existing heart condition when diagnosed with cancer. The Cardio-Oncology Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/cardio-oncology-clinic/overview/ovc-20442193) evaluates people prior to cancer treatment and patients who have experienced side effects due their treatment, and can help evaluate treatment when you have both cancer and heart conditions.

You may wish to ask your cancer care team about cardio-oncology. Do you know what treatments are being recommended for you?

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