Invasive ductal carcinoma in lymph nodes; advice or survival stories needed

Hi  and welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to hear that your mum has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer so it's no wonder that you're all feeling terrified.

As this wasn't the type of cancer I had I don't know a lot about it but I do know that invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) is the most common form of breast cancer, so there'll be lots of people in this group who can share their experiences with you and answer questions regarding treatment, etc.

You might also like to join the family and friends group where you can share your worries and get support from others who have a member of their family having treatment for cancer.

To join this group just click on the link I've created and then choose 'join this group' on the page that opens. You can then introduce yourself or post a question after selecting 'start a discussion' and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.

When you feel up to it, it would be really useful if could pop something about your mum's journey so far into your profile as it helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Sending you a supportive (((hug)))

Hi Emma

I had grade 2 IDC 18 months ago I had a mastectomy and Lymph node clearance where they found 2 nodes with micro vascular involvement. I underwent chemo because of my HER2 status and was given the all clear in January this year. Its a tough journey but doable. Sending positive thoughts to you and your Mum. By the way I was 56 at diagnosis xx

Hey! I was diagnosed with idc last June, which was in all my lymph nodes too....I had chemo and radiotherapy and continue to take letrozole. It is hard but do able.....my advice is to take each day as it comes. One day your mum may feel rubbish...but the next a lot better. My motto was ‘this too will pass’ and do you know it does....

Good luck and keep asking for help here...there are chemo and radiotherapy groups that are a great support. I found sharing and seeing that there were others that felt the same as me reassuring and comforting.

Keep in touch.

The CT scans are staging scans which is done routinely before surgery. It's to check for any spread, either to the internal mammary nodes (not checked in ultrasound) or anywhere else.It can also pick up on any other issues apart from spread like in my case as small liver haemangioma which is harmless, or in the case of other people things like an inflamed appendix which would have to be dealt with first. Has she had biopsies done yet to check the type of cancer, and been told the size?

The very best of luck to your mum, and welcome to the site! x

What type of surgery did your Mum have? And did she not have CT scans before?

Full body CT scan and bone scan was standard procedure after my breast biopsy confirmed cancer, before surgery. 

Thanks for your reply. She has already had a masectomy and lymph node clearance and cancer cells were found in 7 of the 11 lymph nodes removed. It was invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2 measuring 30mm. She is due to start chemotherapy in a months time but apparently she needs a full body ct first- has anyone experienced anything similar? 

In autumn 2016 I was diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer. I then had the CT  and bone scan, as well as MRI and PET scans. 

(they revealed a tiny lung cancer, which led to my left lower lung lobe being removed, after:)

I had a mastectomy. Sentinel lymph node was clear of breast cancer  at the time. I refused chemotherapy then, as all margins were clear, lung cancer contained.  But in February this year a routine CT scan showed something on my chest wall. So I had surgery again, lymph node clearance: Nine lymph nodes removed, a cluster of three had breast cancer  recurrence. 

CT scan showed no spread to other parts of my body. So I'm now receiving adjuvant chemotherapy which will be followed by radiotherapy.

So I would say you and your mum shouldn't be worried too much at this stage by the CT scan as such.

I should have mentioned: The lung cancer was a different cancer. And I was lucky it was detected then.