Making a decision without being given a stage/grade??? Is this how it is??
Less than one minute read time.
FormerMember
Hello I am posting this really for advice for my sister who is 46 and just been told she has invasive ductal cancer in her left breast. She had a negative mamograme after finding a small lump beneath her nipple, went for an ultrasound and had a biosy, then was told by her surgeon to make a decision as to what treatment she wants to pursue. He could not tell her what stage or grade it was and is not clear if her lymph nodes are affected.
She was given a Breast cancer folder to read but as i am sure most of you feel terrified and unsure, the word cancer is enough to scare the living hell from anyone.
I have adviced her to ask the surgeon to stage it first for her as this will surely determine what kind of treatment she decides to pursue.
I am really taken aback that they have not been able to do this for her before they consider any surgery.
Can anyone out there advise me??? Much appreciated gillian
FormerMember
Hi Gillian
I had invasive ductal and I've got a feeling they told me what stage after my biopsy but I'm not sure now.
They wont be able to tell about lymph node involvement until surgery.
The breast care nurses are only a phone call away. If the can't answer the phone, leave a message and they will always phone you back.
I wish you sister all the best for her treatment. Let us know how she get's on and if we can help.
There is a breast friends group on here you or your sister can join.
Sorry to hear about your sister - it's mind numbing at the beginning of this journey, trying take everything in. I agree with all of the above, especially about contacting your breast cancer nurse. My own experience was that I was given the stage after the lumpectomy and lymph node clearance - mine had spread to the lymph nodes which meant I needed chemo. Prior to the op I was told that I may only need radiotherapy, but the spread changed that and so had 6 months of chemo and then radio. It depends on the size and whether or not it has spread and these things can only be discovered by investigation of tissue samples etc after the op. Take care x
This tends to be a very distressing and confusing time and for me personally new information surfaced at various stages.
I had the 'bad news' following a biopsy. My cancer did not show on a mammogram and ultrasound was inconclusive. I had a hardening behind the nipple and until my op even the surgeon was not sure what he would find he only suspected 'tumour' size etc.
I opted for a lumpectomy and to save the nipple if poss. Consent form was for that and I was assured that even if the growth was more extensive that a mastectomy would not occur. I would be brought up from surgery and findings discussed. Others might decide a mastectomy is right for them. This is a personal choice and I was told that provided the margins are clear a lumpectomy is no less effective than a full mastectomy. Even having a 3.3cm lump removed my left breast is now about half a cup size smaller and in clothes with a good bra not noticeable. I was a full C size.
What was removed was analysed and size plus other factors determines treatment. I learned that my cancer was Oestrogen and Progesterone positive and a few weeks later I also found out I was HER2 positive. This will then determine the adjuvant treatments to follow and during the op a sentinel node biopsy will also be performed on the lymph nodes, mine thankfully were clear.
Hopefully this info will help if you want any further detail happy to share my experience or info which helped me make key decisions.
Hello all, Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to all of you lovely people who took the time to reply to my query about my sister, as a nurse I felt at the time I should have been the strong one and been able to give Heather all the advice she needed but I couldnt as I was in shock because it was one of my own I expect, but anyway I do really appreicate all the very informative advise you all had to offer.
My sister Heather has decided to go for a mastectomy rather than lumpectomy as apparently the tumour has grown in 2 weeks to 2.5 cm, her operation is on the 17th Feb and she will not know yet if she has to get her lymph nodes removed, they are going to test them when they go in, the only concern I have is that they have told her she will only be in hospital for 2 days, is this normal??? They want her to take Tamoxifen for 5 years as well as she is ER positive. My parents have decided to go and look after her autistic son while she recovers so that will hopefully be one less thing to worry about for her. I feel that I can not get on with my own life properly since this happened to my sister as I feeel worried for her and a little guilty that I am not in that situation!! I appreciate that that is probably how alot of families feel during theses situations.
Again thanks for all your valued advice I learnt alot and I empathise with all of you who have had to handle this situation in all its different forms, best wishes to you all. gillian
Glad to hear that your sister has made her decision. Although I opted for a lumpectomy my partners Mum had a mastectomy without reconstruction and my partners Sister in Law had a mastectomy with reconstruction and both are fine now. Mum five years on and Karen two years on. How unlucky are we? Still as I always say we have three good breasts between us!
I was only in hospital overnight I think two days is probably the norm provided there are no complications and the drains etc are okay.
Whilst there is a lot of fear that goes with the op I personally felt more positive afterwards partly because the cancer was removed, secondly because as soon as I came round I knew my lymph nodes were clear and thirdly because after analysis of what's been removed you have a clearer idea of proposed treatments. I too am to embark on Tamoxifen in due course. I am currently having chemo because of the aggressive nature of my cancer.
This was not discussed with me initially just radiotherapy and Tamoxifen so do not rule this out. Your sister's consultant/oncologist will of course discuss all of this with her once the full pathology is known. Key factors being size of tumour, nature of the cancer, proximity to lymph and blood vessels. Lymph node biopsy/clearance being an important factor too. My lymph nodes were clear but chemo plus Herceptin (I am HER2 positive) was recommended and improve my chances of non recurrence by 13%.
Hope my personal experience is of help. Whilst my family are sad for me I cannot really comment but I know that if it were my daughter that was affected I know I would be thinking I'd rather it be me. If you are also worried is it genetic, in my case they confirmed not.
Love to you and your sister at this anxious time. Wish your sister well for me I will send out positive thoughts for her.
