Newly diagnosed with grade 2 IDC, grade 3 post surgery

I am a 57 year old lady who Found a lump in my right breast around middle of August 2021. I was due my mammogram on 1st September so wasn't overly concerned as had cysts drained in the past.  Attended my mammogram and pointed out to the radiographer I thought I could feel a lump so advised to see Gp as mammogram results would be another 3 weeks. Attended Gp appointment on 3 rd September referred to breast team,  appointment for 5 th September arranged, very prompt I have to say. 

Had ultrasound and biopsies taken on 5 th September then went on holiday. Came back to appointment for biopsy results on 27 th September but had also received my mammogram results which basically said everything ok see you in 3 years!

Attended for biopsy results which shown grade 2 IDC lump 1.9 cm to right breast.  Referred for MRI to confirm size only to get results that something was showing on my thyroid, second lump in the same breast and something in my armpit! Absolutely gutted and a nervous wreck! 
Following an MDT made up of different professions overseeing and discussing my case they advised second look ultrasound. I attended  for separate ultrasounds. The  Thyroid ultrasound shown  nothing of concern, the breast ultrasound shown the second lump as a cyst  therefore drained to dryness and the armpit lump didn't show anything of concern too, how relieved was I !

Fnally I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsies done on 27 th November  2021 and from the tissue removed and  sent for testing it shows a grade 3 IDC not grade 2 and a 2.2 cm lump, fortunately the 3 sentinel nodes removed are all negative.

I am now waiting the oncotype DX results to see if I need chemo. I have tried looking to see if there is anybody else on here with the same cancer that has not had chemo for this. As highlighted I know everybodies treatment plan is different.

I am also told that my cancer is ER positive and HER negaive and that I will need radiotherapy and hormone therapy too.

Parents
  • Hi, I was initially told my IDC was grade one but after my lumpectomy it was regraded to 3 . To say I was horrified is putting it mildly . They got clear margins and no lymph nodes involved so I was given 5 days of radiotherapy and tamoxifen . I finished the radio in July . My oncotype eas 18 so eas tons no chemo necessary. I'm 54 . 

  • Hi there, hope you don't mind my jumping on here.   This is my worst fear.  I'm a week on from being diagnosed with grade 1 IDC after a vacuum biopsy.  I'm 54 and have had several harmless cysts removed in the past but a mammogram showed I had an area of 17mm calcifications that turned out to be IDC.  The IDC grade 1 is apparently very small at 1mm but I've convinced myself they will surely find something worse in the remaining other area of calcifications. At the moment they are saying they don't know what's in the other 16mm but have said no DCIS was found.  

     

    I'm a bit behind you in that I haven't had my lumpectomy yet, it's due in a week.  I'm terrified and convinced that my cancer will be upgraded.  This is because I don't think they managed to get a big sample out and the sample was too small to do all the hormone receptor tests.  They do know it's oestrogen positive (which I think is a good thing)????? but they won't know if it's HER2 positive or negative until the post op biopsies.  
     

    I can't help thinking why do they bother with the stereotactic biopsies if they are so unreliable and inaccurate????  I'm sorry to read that yours were upgraded.  This must have been a huge disappointment  for you.  Did they give you any reason or explanation as to why the two biopsy  results differed so much?

    Wishing you all the best x

  • Hi, no of course I don't mind you jumping in that's what we are all here for, to help each other.

    I agree, I really don't know why they give you the biopsy results if there is the slightest chance it could change which seems to be a very common occurrence. 
    ye I was very upset when it came back as a grade 3. I don't think we can have a proper understanding of it all till after the lumpectomy, plus the pathology  and if needed oncotype results are available from the surgery.

    The reason I think it changes us because a biopsy is only a small amount if the actual tumour so it is only when it has been removed the full tests can be done which often gives a different result however, sone results don't change.

    I know that the original treatment plan explained to me was lumpectomy, radiotherapy and hormone therapy, there was no mention of chemo at that point.

    The chemo only came into play after the pathology results from the surgery shown I had sone vascular invasion which definitely needs chemo for future protection. 
    I was devastated at the thought of chemo but now I fully understand the reason and potential outcome I definitely want all 6 cycles.

    I hope this helps

     

    love Kiera xx

  • Thanks Kiera for taking the time to respond.  I suppose anything can happen really.  It's all a bit of a lottery until post op biopsies.  Yes it did help a lot thankyou.  I'm still learning and don't know what all the terminology yet! What are oncotype results?!

    Best wishes xx

     

Reply
  • Thanks Kiera for taking the time to respond.  I suppose anything can happen really.  It's all a bit of a lottery until post op biopsies.  Yes it did help a lot thankyou.  I'm still learning and don't know what all the terminology yet! What are oncotype results?!

    Best wishes xx

     

Children
  • Yes it is a bit if a lottery!

    An oncotype test is usually only done for invasive ductal cancer and invasive ductal cancer in situ. This involves the testing of the tumour once it's removed, usually done in America to get a score which determines the likelihood of it returning and whether chemotherapy is appropriate or not as part of the treatment plan.

    Also the pathology tests done once the tumour has been removed usually determines the grade, if it is hormone responsive and if the nodes are positive or negative and also if there is any vascular invasion. 
    I don't mean to baffle you but once all the results are available which will include the above this determines a treatment plan specific to yr cancer.

     

    love Kiera