Different types of Breast Cancer

Rague said:

You weren't told the type BC you have?
I'm not talking about the 'side effects' but rather the type and the aggressive nature of that type. There are different types with very different prognosis/protocol. The average % for all types of Breast Cancer for 5 year survival is 87% survival - for IBC that drops to 25% to 40% (depending on the study). Big difference!

Unfortunately - so many think that BC = BC. Sorry that's not true

Susan

Of course I was told.
Every bc is different, every treatment is different, every side effect is different. That was my point.

Sher

Rague said:

You weren't told the type BC you have?
I'm not talking about the 'side effects' but rather the type and the aggressive nature of that type. There are different types with very different prognosis/protocol. The average % for all types of Breast Cancer for 5 year survival is 87% survival - for IBC that drops to 25% to 40% (depending on the study). Big difference!

Unfortunately - so many think that BC = BC. Sorry that's not true

Susan

You are so right!
not that i sit around whining about my situation. . . i have inflammatory breast cancer and am triple negative - both extremely aggressive . . .people mean well, but comparing me to someone they know that had a lumpectomy and four chemo treatments and not understanding that what i am going through has no resemblance to what their friend went through drives me crazy!!!

Guilt
Sue

I am always so heart stricken when I read about each individuals journey through unknown territor of the beast. And yes, it is so disturbing there are so many different types of BC without full disclosure from med profession about all the veriances of types. To have to learn from this site all the differences and challenges is quit the education. My heart goes out to you and all the others who have such a struggle. Don't ever forget you are always thought of if not personnally but as a woman fighting for your life daily.

Kathryn

heidijez said:

You are so right!
not that i sit around whining about my situation. . . i have inflammatory breast cancer and am triple negative - both extremely aggressive . . .people mean well, but comparing me to someone they know that had a lumpectomy and four chemo treatments and not understanding that what i am going through has no resemblance to what their friend went through drives me crazy!!!

That's why CSN is so important
That's why I love this site....I think everyone means well and really cares when they reply, so I assume (and hope) that noone is intentionally minimizing anyone's situation. This site and our replies can educate us on the different types, treatments and experiences that we all have. Renay

Rague
May i ask how are you doin?.Are you clean. I had I B C i am going on three years cleans as of right now.hug and love to you and all

Rague said:

Doing great!
I just started another thread - I saw Surgeon's PA today for 1 year post surgery appt. I'm definately riding NED (I can't ddance but I'm a better than average horsewoman LOL).

Susan

doing gret
keep up the good work.You can dance every day. hugs and love 2 you

Lighthouse_7 said:

Ladybug,
I love your photo!

Ladybug,
I love your photo!

Lighthouse
thanks i made that i used pink lights and a childs noodle they use in a pool.

Hubby said:

Types
So we have (from http://www.breastcancer.org):

Breast cancer can begin in different areas of the breast – the ducts, the lobules, or in some cases, the tissue in between. In this section, you can learn about the different types of breast cancer, including non-invasive, invasive, recurrent, and metastatic breast cancers.

DCIS – Ductal Carcinoma In Situ
IDC – Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
LCIS – Lobular Carcinoma In Situ
ILC – Invasive Lobular Carcinoma
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Paget's Disease of the Nipple
Phyllodes Tumors of the Breast
Recurrent and Metastatic Breast Cancer

And within each of these catagories, there is er/pr/her2 positive and negative. And the wording of the pathology reports can be confusing also. Donna's initial pathology said DCIS and IDC.

But then to these types and subtypes you add in stage, grade,node involvement...you end up with a lot of variations.

Bob

There is a difference Bob between recurrent & Metastatic BC aka as stage IV. Recurrence can happen in the axilla, the nodes above and under the collar bone or behind the breast bone and they are not considered stage IV. These are still curable.

Stage IV is when bc cells go to another organ, lungs, liver, brain, bones and etc., these are not curable at this point in time.

SIROD

webbwife50 said:

Sorry!
I am very sorry you have a dx of one of the more aggressive cancers. Another issues is of course, how early it/any cancer is dx'ed. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. hugs...alison

Early
Breast cancer is all about luck. Stage 0 and one can still find themselves with widespread, lung, liver, bone metastasis in less than a year.

I have been online for many years (1997) participating on breast cancer boards, forums and etc. In my years doing this, I have seen women with large tumors 8cm many nodes positive to never have a recurrence or become stage IV. I have seen stage 0 become a person's worst nightmare. There is no pattern on how one's breast cancer will turn out.

A majority of women or men who are dx early to on a whole have a better outcome, but it is no guarantee.

One would think if you found your mets early while it's small would prolong your life. Again there is no guarantee.

This is why all the hype for pink ribbon month doesn't in any way equate to "CURE". There is still so much to learn about the disease called breast cancer. Scientist are still in the 1st grade trying to understand the fundamentals.

SIROD