Do I have Lobular cancer as well as Ductal?

Had an MRI recently and the results appt on the 4th confirmed IDC 26mm.  It did also show however two areas of "stringy bits" which I'm now waiting for another ultrasound appt for.  The consultant said they didn't know what it was but from my own research its looking likely that these two "string bits" are likely to be lobular cancer.  I've read that lobular cancer grows in lines/sheets rather than lumps like ductal cancer which could be what she is referring to when she says "stringy bits".  One string is coming from the ductal cancer to the nipple, the other is in a different area but reaching the nipple also.  Has anyone with lobular cancer seen their MRI and know what it looks like?  I may be catastrophising here...

  • Hi, sorry to hear your inital diagnosis, hope you are doing ok. I was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer a couple of months ago and am now recovering from a mastectomy. I didn't see my mri images but yes they do say it's a sneakier cancer as don't present as a traditional lump.  Can you feel anything unusual? I had an indentation right next to my nipple followed by a large hard area, when I pressed that area it made the nipple indentation worse. I googled everything in a panic and it only said about small pea or grape size round lumps, not a 6cm long hard lump like mine and that's when I learnt the difference between ductal and lobular. Sorry I can't be of any help, are they going to do another biopsy to find out for sure? 

  • Thanks [@jjchoccy]‍ i do have a large lump which is my ductal tumour and there is a very slight indentation where the lump is but the stringy bits are a new addition.  I'm waiting for an ultrasound appt to come through which will probably end in a biopsy so have at least 3-4 weeks wait at this point! 

    Hope you are recovering nicely, did you/will you have chemo?

  • Oh the waiting is awful isn't it. Are they waiting until they know the full extent of it to give you an indication of surgery and treatment?

    Recovery is going ok but it is harder than I thought it was going to be! I will have radiotherapy and hormone therapy after this, chemo will be decided after they have biopsied the lump and nodes removed which I should find out in about 10 days time so keeping all fingers crossed they are clear and it's not needed xx

  • Yes the waiting is awful! I'm afraid I did get a bit cross with the consultant as until this ultrasound is done and the biopsy results back they won't give me any idea of treatment and by then I would have been diagnosed and yet had no treatment for at least 2 months by then and it seems every time you have to have something done you have to wait another two weeks.... I understand they need to wait until everything is clear to them and that there are a lot of people needing results not just me but it is very frustrating and quite scary if you think about it too much.

    On the positive side my GP just rang me because he received a letter from the hospital re my diagnosis and wanted to see if I needed anything.  I was quite impressed!  I took advantage and asked him about a new large freckle (about 1cm oblong) on my face and a little lump on my neck because everytime I get something new or any aches and pains I am imagining the worst now!

    Fingers crossed your nodes are clear!!  Did you have an immediate reconstruction or will you have later or decide to to stay flat?

  • To make you feel better I didn't have any hold ups and my surgery was 2 months after initial diagnosis. I waited for the biopsy, then had to wait for a mri and then had to wait for a Ct scan and in between those wait for them to have the mdm meetings so the weeks really do run away by the time they do all that. I think 2 months is their guideline waiting time, my consultant was so busy the surgery was going to be even later which he wasn't happy with so he passed me over to one of his colleagues to do it sooner.
     

    The waiting is so awful, I really feel for you but trust the process, it's best they gather all the info needed rather than rush in and it not be right. I always presumed you get your diagnosis and treatment plan at the same time, despite family members having been through this before I didn't realise it's not until after the surgery they decide what you need and it's such a long time of the unknown.


    oh that's good, am sure nothing to worry about but always better to check! 

    I was very gutted I couldn't have an immediate reconstruction as it's not recommended with radiotherapy so I have to wait a year or so. At the moment the thought of having to go through another surgery seems like hell but I'm sure in a few months I'll be chomping at the bit for a new boob!