Very recent diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of left breast

KayNYC
KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I will be meeting with the surgeon tomorrow. I am 60 years old with a family history of breast cancer. I have been having yearly mammography since before the age of 30 yrs as a result of removal of a benign lesion in my right breast at age 23 years and a family history of breast cancer. Last week I received the CA diagnosis after abnormal mammography findings on the annual screening.I was recalled, undergoing digital mammography,ultrasound and last week, ultrasound guided core biopsy. The report says the mass is .3cm and well differentiated. It was not palpitable nor causing any symptoms. One of my concerns is that this may not be the only place that cancer is lurking. I will be speaking,of course, to the surgeon tomorrow. Have others had similar concerns and was there further diagnostic tests to rule-out possible cancers in other areas of the body prior to lumpectomy or afterward? I guess right now, I just want this thing stopped and removed so I can get on with my life.
KayNYC

Comments

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #2
    Hi Kay. Besides the tests
    Hi Kay. Besides the tests that you had, my oncologist also ordered a bone scan and a MRI. The bone scan was to make sure that it wasn't in my bones, and, the MRI was to see if the bc was just in that one breast and not the other. I wish you good luck!

    Hugs, Angie
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #3
    Angie2U said:

    Hi Kay. Besides the tests
    Hi Kay. Besides the tests that you had, my oncologist also ordered a bone scan and a MRI. The bone scan was to make sure that it wasn't in my bones, and, the MRI was to see if the bc was just in that one breast and not the other. I wish you good luck!

    Hugs, Angie

    Thanks Angie2U
    After tomorrow, I will hopefully have a better idea of how much time I will need to take off from work to begin treatment. Thank you again for your speedy and helpful reply.
    Kay
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #4
    KayNYC said:

    Thanks Angie2U
    After tomorrow, I will hopefully have a better idea of how much time I will need to take off from work to begin treatment. Thank you again for your speedy and helpful reply.
    Kay

    Good luck tomorrow Kay. I
    Good luck tomorrow Kay. I don't know if anyone knows how they will actually feel during the treatments with bc until they go thru it. Hoping you remain strong and feel good!
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #5
    Go prepared with questions.
    Hi Kay,

    I turning 60 this year and am 1 year out from my diagnosis. Be sure to write out your question for the surgeon and bring someone with you. Do you know if it is lobular or ductal? Is it hormone receptive?

    Yes. I was very concerned that the cancer had spread. My tumor was 1.8 cm when diagnosed and was lobular. Lobular is more common in post menopausal women. My surgeon ordered a CAT Scan, MRI, and Bone Scan which were all clear. I had breast conserving surgery which is a more extensive lumpectomy with radiation only. It had not spread to my nodes so they also did the OncoTypeDX test. That will help with the decision about whether chemo will make a difference long term.

    If you have a family history, you probably have an idea of what treatment was in the past. It is very different now so try not to get ahead of yourself. Your tumor is small and you have been followed for many years. It is probably very early.

    Hugs.

    Roseann
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #6
    Welcome, Kay. Good luck
    Welcome, Kay. Good luck today as you go to your surgeon. I had an MRI as well as a CT scan. Keep posting and let us know what is happening with you. Good luck!!
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #7
    MyTurnNow said:

    Welcome, Kay. Good luck
    Welcome, Kay. Good luck today as you go to your surgeon. I had an MRI as well as a CT scan. Keep posting and let us know what is happening with you. Good luck!!

    Welcome to the site Kay.
    Welcome to the site Kay. Sending you good luck with your appointment today!

    I also had the MRI, bone scan and CT scan, prior to my lumpectomy.
  • padee6339
    padee6339 Member Posts: 763
    #8
    Hi Kay NYC
    I had a PET scan to rule out hot spots. I will be keeping you in my prayers!
    Pat
  • survives
    survives Member Posts: 254 Member
    #9
    padee6339 said:

    Hi Kay NYC
    I had a PET scan to rule out hot spots. I will be keeping you in my prayers!
    Pat

    No other tests
    I was given no other tests and the time of dx of my 0.2mm DCIS, and 0.3mm IDC. A mammogram found the tumors, and then a sterotactic biopsy confirmed what they were. I had a mastectomy, with no rads or chemo, am triple positive, and am on Femara for about 15 more months. The only test I get are tumor markers twice a year, and since they are NOT reliable, I wish I didn't have those!
  • jbug
    jbug Member Posts: 285
    #10
    Hi Kay
    Welcome to the site! My tumor was found by MRI...i had my annual exam/mammo and an ultrasound (lumpy,cystic breasts) and the radiologist thought there was something abnormal but couldn't be sure. He offered a biopsy of what he thought he saw...or an MRI which could evaluate both breasts. I opted for MRI and the tumor lit up. Important info though...MRI can give false positives, so it isn't foolproof; you could end up have additional biopsies from areas that light up...but they can view both breasts at the same time for abnormalities.

    Hope your meeting w/the surgeon went well! Come back any time. God Bless..
    Julie
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #11
    jbug said:

    Hi Kay
    Welcome to the site! My tumor was found by MRI...i had my annual exam/mammo and an ultrasound (lumpy,cystic breasts) and the radiologist thought there was something abnormal but couldn't be sure. He offered a biopsy of what he thought he saw...or an MRI which could evaluate both breasts. I opted for MRI and the tumor lit up. Important info though...MRI can give false positives, so it isn't foolproof; you could end up have additional biopsies from areas that light up...but they can view both breasts at the same time for abnormalities.

    Hope your meeting w/the surgeon went well! Come back any time. God Bless..
    Julie

    meeting with surgeon
    The meeting went well and I am scheduled for lumpectomy with sentinel node next Wed. I have to go for the radioactive dye injection the day before the surgery. The morning of surgery they are inserting a wire to locate the area that was marked with a clip during the biopsy. I completed my preop testings and my doctor has completed my medical clearance. I am trying to get all of the paper work for short term medical leave squared away before Monday, my last day of work unitl March 31. It sure has been a hectic week. I read the book given to me by the WAR (Women at Risk) volunteer. It is called "Be a Survivor:Your Guide to Breast Cancer treatment" I found it easy reading and very informative. So glad I found this board. Thanks for all of your help.
    K
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #12
    roseann4 said:

    Go prepared with questions.
    Hi Kay,

    I turning 60 this year and am 1 year out from my diagnosis. Be sure to write out your question for the surgeon and bring someone with you. Do you know if it is lobular or ductal? Is it hormone receptive?

    Yes. I was very concerned that the cancer had spread. My tumor was 1.8 cm when diagnosed and was lobular. Lobular is more common in post menopausal women. My surgeon ordered a CAT Scan, MRI, and Bone Scan which were all clear. I had breast conserving surgery which is a more extensive lumpectomy with radiation only. It had not spread to my nodes so they also did the OncoTypeDX test. That will help with the decision about whether chemo will make a difference long term.

    If you have a family history, you probably have an idea of what treatment was in the past. It is very different now so try not to get ahead of yourself. Your tumor is small and you have been followed for many years. It is probably very early.

    Hugs.

    Roseann

    type of tumor
    It appears that I have a very small ductal cancer. The hormone receptor tests have not come back yet. The doctor does not think it is in the nodes but of course until the surgery and sentinel node are removed, we won't know for sure. So glad to have found such a helpful and supportive community.
    Hugs,
    K
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #13
    KayNYC said:

    meeting with surgeon
    The meeting went well and I am scheduled for lumpectomy with sentinel node next Wed. I have to go for the radioactive dye injection the day before the surgery. The morning of surgery they are inserting a wire to locate the area that was marked with a clip during the biopsy. I completed my preop testings and my doctor has completed my medical clearance. I am trying to get all of the paper work for short term medical leave squared away before Monday, my last day of work unitl March 31. It sure has been a hectic week. I read the book given to me by the WAR (Women at Risk) volunteer. It is called "Be a Survivor:Your Guide to Breast Cancer treatment" I found it easy reading and very informative. So glad I found this board. Thanks for all of your help.
    K

    Good luck with your surgery!
    Good luck with your surgery! Sending you prayers and positive thoughts!

    Sue :)

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