Hello everyone! I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma. Original imaging predicted it was 8mm so I opted for lumpectomy. When the pathology came back, it was 34mm with all positive margins! At that point, my surgeon ordered an MRI to access the residual disease. She was sure we must have gotten most of it out The MRI made another lumpectomy look doable but this time I had 2 positive margins At this point, I was finished with surgery and opted for a bilateral mastectomy, however, my oncologist said I needed to get started on chemo. It had been nearly 3 months getting 2 surgeries, MRI, meeting with plastic surgeons, etc. She said the tumor board all agreed I needed chemo sooner than another surgery. So now I worry about having chemo with positive margins in place. Will the cancer be more likely to spread now?? Has anyone else ever heard of a situation like mine? I feel I have been doomed before I've even started.
Hi
Warm welcome from across the 'Big Pond' you have found yourself in a great place to be at a tough time.
Quite few have chemotherapy prior or mid way though surgery - It's all about priorities.
Your original tumour has been removed so it looks like they feel chemo next is the best option as it is a systemic (whole body) treatment. That way if any cells have escaped the chemo will destroy them, it also gets to work on any smaller clusters of cells that 'may' be in the breast(s) There have been many messages here from those who had chemo prior to surgery that get a full pathological response meaning the tumour can no longer be found on scans. Once the main tumour has been removed any other follow up treatments like chemo, rads, hormone therapy etc is all about reducing the risk of recurrence or secondaries later on.
So in a word no, the cancer will not be more likely to spread if anything it will be exactly the opposite 
Hope this helps reduce your fears and gives you confidence to trust your team, sounds like they have got you covered 
Hugs, G n' J 
