1. < Breast Cancer

Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): Anyone else?

Posted by 6750 @6750, Mar 2, 2019

I have rec’d 4 chemo + 16 radiation treatments for invasive. Has lumpectomie 1st....then one week later...
Dissection 17 lymph nodes & 3 tumors removed tumors
Got clean margin.

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callalloo | @callalloo | Oct 25, 2022
In reply to @elliej "Thanks Again for good advise. My rate of recurrence on the OncoType test is 4%. Did..." + (show)
@elliej

Thanks Again for good advise. My rate of recurrence on the OncoType test is 4%. Did you say that you opted out of radiation? One of my concerns is the pathology report of Hyperplasic cells. The radiologist said radiation would Not affect those. That I don’t understand. Do you know anything about that? More confusion……

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I declined radiation but it was very site-specific and would not have affected distant recurrence rate or even risk of recurrence in other breast or another area of the same breast. The lumpecfomy was in my left breast and I was concerned about any possible radiation damage to my heart.

I don't know what hyperplasia cells are so can't shed any light on the effect of radiation on them. Don't hesitate though to ask your oncologist or cancer team to explain anything that seems confusing as that's the only way you can have confidence in whatever decisions you ultimately make. I wasn't opposed to radiation per se, just felt that it didn't decrease any risks I was worried about.

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1 reply
elliej | @elliej | Oct 24, 2022
In reply to @beestrong "Hey elliej I had stage 1 no node IDC. Had my surgery in july and finished..." + (show)
@beestrong

Hey elliej

I had stage 1 no node IDC. Had my surgery in july and finished my radiation in September (3 weeks)…..still struggling with a bit of side effects.

Will be on anastrazole for 5 years and very concerned about side effects. However, whatever they may be ,its better than not giving it a chance …
My SIL has been on letrozole for about a year and got some hot flashes….. her bone density test is ok so far … ..
Sometimes moving forward is difficult.

Good luck to you🙏🏻

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Thank you Beestrong. Hope you’re getting stronger every day. Who knew that we would have these tough decisions in our later years. My family is supportive, and loving as we move forward in this ongoing battle. Love your name🥰

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beestrong | @beestrong | Oct 24, 2022
In reply to @elliej "Hey, Windyshores, Thank you for your response. I have Stage 1, no node, IDC. Surgery on..." + (show)
@elliej

Hey, Windyshores,
Thank you for your response. I have Stage 1, no node, IDC. Surgery on Sept. 27th. I met today with my team. We decided on a short course of radiation ( 73 years old), so 5 days. Also, I will try Letrozole and watch for any intolerable side effects. Feeling relieved about decision making. Finally moving forward!

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Hey elliej

I had stage 1 no node IDC. Had my surgery in july and finished my radiation in September (3 weeks)…..still struggling with a bit of side effects.

Will be on anastrazole for 5 years and very concerned about side effects. However, whatever they may be ,its better than not giving it a chance …
My SIL has been on letrozole for about a year and got some hot flashes….. her bone density test is ok so far … ..
Sometimes moving forward is difficult.

Good luck to you🙏🏻

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1 reply
polianad22 | @polianad22 | Oct 23, 2022
In reply to @anjalima "BRAVA on making your decision; such a steep and swift learning curve we must engage in...." + (show)
@anjalima

BRAVA on making your decision; such a steep and swift learning curve we must engage in.

ONCOTYPE will be performed on surgically removed tumor tissue referred to as foci. Mine was done on biopsy tissue.

You may need to have a radioactive needle insertion into the breast the day before surgery ( I DID). Then the surgeon traces the path of the foci to sentinel and axillary nodes. I had two positive sentinel nodes … the 5 above those ( next layer) were negative.

My ONCOTYPE numbers indicated no benefit from Chemotherapy… so I avoided that.

As I have Er/Pr + I am taking Anastrozole for 5… possibly more ( to be determined at year 5) . Fortunately I do not have any immediately obvious side effects ( in month 7) but Possibly some thinning of hair but may be anesthesia related. I do what I can to mitigate bone loss on AI . Will have a DEXA at one year to determine problems there. ( insurance only covers every two years).

Blessings on your journey. We will be here ready to support you on every step. 🌸

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Deeply grateful for your words, wisdom and kindness. I had a very hard one / two days. I feel good today. Our narratives, thoughts are so sneaky and come in our minds without any permission. How important is to stay connected and see the whole person body, mind, and soul. We have the tendencies to go a lot in our intellect and play mind games.
Making a bean soup for my loved ones today. Wishing you a beautiful Sunday.

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anjalima | @anjalima | Oct 23, 2022
In reply to @polianad22 "@anjalima . Per today I am choosing to do left breast mastectomy, Dr. Alexandra Heerdt from..." + (show)
@polianad22

@anjalima . Per today I am choosing to do left breast mastectomy, Dr. Alexandra Heerdt from Memorial Sloan Kettering. She told me at the meeting that they usually do an Oncotype DX. Should I schedule with the Dr. before the surgery? How many positive sentinel nodes did you find?

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BRAVA on making your decision; such a steep and swift learning curve we must engage in.

ONCOTYPE will be performed on surgically removed tumor tissue referred to as foci. Mine was done on biopsy tissue.

You may need to have a radioactive needle insertion into the breast the day before surgery ( I DID). Then the surgeon traces the path of the foci to sentinel and axillary nodes. I had two positive sentinel nodes … the 5 above those ( next layer) were negative.

My ONCOTYPE numbers indicated no benefit from Chemotherapy… so I avoided that.

As I have Er/Pr + I am taking Anastrozole for 5… possibly more ( to be determined at year 5) . Fortunately I do not have any immediately obvious side effects ( in month 7) but Possibly some thinning of hair but may be anesthesia related. I do what I can to mitigate bone loss on AI . Will have a DEXA at one year to determine problems there. ( insurance only covers every two years).

Blessings on your journey. We will be here ready to support you on every step. 🌸

REPLY
1 reply
polianad22 | @polianad22 | Oct 23, 2022
In reply to @windyshores "@polianad22 the info on Oncotype for 1-3 nodes is honestly all over the place. Here is..." + (show)
@windyshores

@polianad22 the info on Oncotype for 1-3 nodes is honestly all over the place. Here is just one:
https://www.oncolink.org/cancers/breast/screening-diagnosis/the-oncotype-r-dx-breast-recurrence-score#:~:text=The%20Oncotype%C2%AE%20DX%20test%20is%20mainly%20used%20in,negative%20or%20you%20can%20have%201-3%20positive%20nodes.
"Who should have this test?" One factor:
"The stage of your cancer is I, II, or IIIA.
Your lymph nodes can be negative or you can have 1-3 positive nodes."

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Thank you.

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windyshores | @windyshores | Oct 23, 2022
In reply to @polianad22 "@windyshores You mentioned that the Oncotype test is done for 1 - 3 positive sentinel nodes...." + (show)
@polianad22

@windyshores You mentioned that the Oncotype test is done for 1 - 3 positive sentinel nodes. Would you mind sharing where you found this information?

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@polianad22 the info on Oncotype for 1-3 nodes is honestly all over the place. Here is just one:
https://www.oncolink.org/cancers/breast/screening-diagnosis/the-oncotype-r-dx-breast-recurrence-score#:~:text=The%20Oncotype%C2%AE%20DX%20test%20is%20mainly%20used%20in,negative%20or%20you%20can%20have%201-3%20positive%20nodes.
"Who should have this test?" One factor:
"The stage of your cancer is I, II, or IIIA.
Your lymph nodes can be negative or you can have 1-3 positive nodes."

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1 reply
polianad22 | @polianad22 | Oct 23, 2022
In reply to @anjalima "Unilateral right breast mastectomy. No chemo. ONCOTYPE 14 and 20. After a ton of research and..." + (show)
@anjalima

Unilateral right breast mastectomy. No chemo. ONCOTYPE 14 and 20. After a ton of research and the fact that I qualified for the TAILOR RT clinical trial ( AI only or AI plus standard fraction radiation) I declined radiation am doing AI only . 6 mos on Aromatase Inhibitor ( Anastrozole) and tolerating well . Unknown possible side effects will emerge over time ( inc. cholesterol and/or reduced bone mineral density).

What is your age? Did you get the ONCOTYPE scheduled ?

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@anjalima . Per today I am choosing to do left breast mastectomy, Dr. Alexandra Heerdt from Memorial Sloan Kettering. She told me at the meeting that they usually do an Oncotype DX. Should I schedule with the Dr. before the surgery? How many positive sentinel nodes did you find?

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2 replies
polianad22 | @polianad22 | Oct 23, 2022
In reply to @windyshores "@anjalima and @polianad22 Again, Oncotype is done for 1-3 positive nodes and chemo is not assumed...." + (show)
@windyshores

@anjalima and @polianad22

Again, Oncotype is done for 1-3 positive nodes and chemo is not assumed.

From the Susan G. Komen site: Oncotype DX helps predict the chance of metastasis and the likelihood of benefit from chemotherapy for early breast cancers that are all of the following [14,32-34]:

Tumor size smaller than 5 cm
ER-positive (and will be treated with hormone therapy)
HER2-negative
Lymph node-negative or 1-3 positive lymph nodes

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@windyshores You mentioned that the Oncotype test is done for 1 - 3 positive sentinel nodes. Would you mind sharing where you found this information?

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2 replies
windyshores | @windyshores | Oct 22, 2022
In reply to @elliej "Wow, such great info, thank you. You are very knowledgeable and have given me reassurances in..." + (show)
@elliej

Wow, such great info, thank you. You are very knowledgeable and have given me reassurances in regard to upcoming radiation and pills too. I’m planning on moving forward, have my simulator radiation this Wednesday. Followed by the 5day course.
Input from helpful and concerned girls like you, really do make a difference when our heads seem so confused and wavering about the unknown and scary outcomes. Blessings, Windyshores😘

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Blessings to you too @elliej. What a great attitude you have 🙂

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