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How Long Can You Wait From Diagnosis to Mastectomy for IDC?
Three months ago i was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ; non-invasive) but then had to have an MRI which showed other areas of enhancement. This was followed by MRI with 3 biopsies which showed other areas of DCIS and a single small area of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). There was a lot of time betweeen things due to hematomas and waiting for an opening for the MRI with biopsies. After the IDC diagnosis, I decided to get a 2nd opinion and move from my local hospital/surgeon to a much larger, teaching state hospital 2 hours away. So now I have a new surgery date for a mastectomy, which will make it about 4 months from the original diagnosis. I am scared this is too long for invasive cancer, but they say it is the 1st opening the surgeon has. Has anyone else had this much time lapse between diagnosis and mastectomy?
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More people will share, but have you met with an Oncologist yet? Once i met with my surgeon at COH, she connected me with a medical oncologist she works with. I did not have my surgery till i had some treatments.
It is good to see you have had MRI's and biopsies, but why the rush for surgery?
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3 ReactionsI found a lump in my breast in August, 2022. However it was very difficult to diagnose as it turned out to be a rare neuroendocrine tumor. It took numerous scans to rule out Stage 4, and this was a very slow process post pandemic. I had a full diagnosis by November 1 and lumpectomy mid-February 2023. However, I did start letrozole in December, 2022. So this was a lengthy process. Somewhat different than your situation, but best I can share. When is the surgery? Will you have any other treatments? Keep in touch with us and tell us how you are doing.
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3 ReactionsHello @lin5 a second opinion is always a good thing if you are uncertain. It might result in other options, or it might result in the confidence you need in the current plan. It sounds like you are confident with the new surgeon/hospital.
Since it was 3 months of getting all the information using scans and biopsies, a total of 4 months doesn’t seem out of line.
Did someone explain all the details of your particular cancer, like the grade and receptor status?
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3 ReactionsI was concerned also ,but it all went well. 4 months from diognosis. Why they even mention time is of the essence ,quoting 1 month is optimum ,when they know it's impossible to do all those test they need to do in that amount of time.
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3 ReactionsIt was 3 months before my mastectomy. So many visits, scans, genetic tests, biopsies — it just takes time. The constant waiting game is rough. Best of luck.
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3 ReactionsYes, i have met with the oncologist but no treatments needed until after the surgery. Thank you
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2 Reactionsthank you for sharing your experience. It must have been stressful going through all that and watching the calendar tick on. Today, I got an updated surgery date for June 12. I will find out if i need chemo or radiation after the surgery but definitely will need endocrine therapy. Thank you
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2 ReactionsGood to hear your perspective! The second opinion (actually i got a second and a third opinion) was very useful and resulted in me switching centers/surgeons. Yes, i did get the pathology report with grade and eventually receptor status and the surgeon discussed all with me. Thank you
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2 ReactionsI had to chuckle because you are correct - it never could have all happened (in my case at least), in a month! Thank you for sharing your experience.
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2 ReactionsThank you for sharing your experience!
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