Hi, sorry to hear you’ve had to have a second op. I was diagnosed last year age 43 with grade 2 IDC 10mm my lymph nodes and margins were clear and I had radiotherapy for 15 sessions plus another 4 boost sessions to the affected area.  It was a relief not to have chemotherapy and 8 months on I feel great. If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Hi,

I too am in a similar situation and waiting to hear what my treatment will be, due 2nd OP (re excision of margins) next week, generic test (oncotype DX) underway to help decide if chemo is necessary as previous tests on tumour said I was borderline. 11mm and grade 3 with clear lymph nodes and margins. I’m 49. Think nurse was trying to prepare me for chemo, said since I was young they like to through everything they have at it. Will definitely have radiotherapy at least along with hormone therapy.

Trying to decide if children should be told at this stage (ages 12 & 16) or wait as long as possible? Not sure what to do for the best.

But have read on this many times chemo not always given in these circumstances so hoping I don’t have to get it, but will certainly take their advise and have it if need be, but filled with dread at the thought.

The wait is agonising.

Best wishes for u x

Thanks for replying.  You mentioned tests on your tumor were borderline...do you know what tests they ran etc., my consultant hasn’t mentioned anything about that and how it will impact decision on chemo and would be good to know what to ask him.

Waiting is torture....

thanks

Sorry think now actually it was results from information entered into some database about the grading, lymph nodes, my age etc , sorry so much information given hard to remember it all :-(

but if it helps they said 2% or below wouldn’t need chemo, 5,6 etc above definitely would, mine was 2.9%  so he suggested the oncotype dx test, will get results in 2 wks.

please let me know how you get on next week, good luck x

Hello, 

i was grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma and mucinous, clear margins no lymph node involvement....my onco couldn't rule out rogue cells so wanted me to have a chemotherapy flush.....I just wanted to throw everything at this to help lower the risk of any future reoccurrence.....

good luck with it all, will e interesting to see what your onco advises ....xxxx

Hi,

What does a chemotherapy flush mean, is it an easier treatment to have? How did u get on with it? Any hair loss? This is the part I’m dreading,

Hope you are well, thank you xx

Hi, sadly total hair loss....I was on fec.....100% strength for the first dose then a reduced dose for the rest.....I won't lie to you, I found chemo pretty brutal but doable....a friend of mine sailed through it....so we are all different.....but what I can say is it's now 8 weeks since my last cycle and my hair is already growing! 

Everything crossed you won't need chemo......but....it's not the end of the world if you do....you have no lymph node involvement.....let us know how you get on? Xxxx

I will Marlyn, thank you very much. I’m glad you are over yours now, onwards and upwards :-)

thsnk you xx

Hi, was back today for results of op.... the margins are still not clear so need a 3rd op to clear the DCIS....as what is left is the In Situ they are not rushing for surgery, so I've got a couple of weeks then surgery again as my breast is really sore (and nipple actually).

Talked to consultant about Oncotype DX test and he said this outcome will decide whether I get chemo or not....but they won't progress me to oncology until the surgery part is complete.

He stressed the 'treatment' part is surgery with anything else (radio, chemo & tamoxifen) the follow-up  to reduce chances of recurrance.  This made me feel a bit better as felt surgery bit was like going round a roundabout I can't get off.

My only worry is the in situ cells didn't show up on the MRI, surgeon was also happy tissue looked normal when he removed it....only showed at microscopic level....so thinking Chemotherpy isn't so bad afterall if is kills any wee bits growing that they don't know about.

Don't really know much at all about Chemo and the variations....does anyone know how they decide what, how much to give, length of treatment etc.?

xxx

Hi,

Goodness a 3rd op? To be fair I had my second reexcision today and definitely can say it wasn’t as bad as the lumpectomy and node removal, so wouldn’t be too stressed if there was a third, told there might be.

 I have wondered too if the course was less harsh or shorter in this case, would hope so, maybe someone on here will have info on this. How do u feel about getting the chemo? Stupid question maybe but some people are more accepting of it knowing it’s killing off those bloody cells.

You still have the oncotype type test to go which will hopefully come back that it is not needed, I get my results next week at the review.

Hopefully you can enjoy your reprieve until yr next surgery and try to get back some normality, as hard as it is to think of anything other than this!

Take care, please keep us posted xx