Surprise Pathology Report

sandra4611
sandra4611 Member Posts: 121
in Breast Cancer #1

Today I had my first post-op appointment with the cancer surgeon. I had small but agressive cancer in right breast only but decided on double mastectomy to eliminate constant worry that cancer would come back or spread to other side. Pathology showed right breast cancer free, lymph nodes clear, so no radiation or chemo needed. Yay!! Imagine my surprise to hear that the "good left side" without cancer actually DID have cancer plus it was a bit more advanced than the one we knew about. It did not show up in the screening mammogram, the magnification mammogram, or the MRI. I'm shocked! If I hadn't decided on the bilateral mastectomy, I would have waited until next year to have a mammogram on the breast I had left. By that time, it could have been too late. My decision really was the right one and I didn't realize how right it was.

Comments

  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #2
    That is good news.
    Have often wondered From reading this board, have learned of other who had bi-lat mastectomies where they found it in both, and/or where a second cancer, such as lobular showed up in the 'clear' breast. Glad to know that your instinct was right.
    Congrats on no chemo or radiation. I love hearing about good outcomes.
    MRI's and mammos dont see everything, yet without them so many of us would not have known until it wass too late.

    Time to do the happy dance,
    Carol
  • hope67
    hope67 Member Posts: 181
    #3
    Congratulations on right decision

    And congratulations on no chemo and no rads. Did you have lobular carcinoma in your left breast? I am asking because lobular carcinoma is sometimes hard to see on mammos and it often goes to both sides. My pathology report after mastectomy of my right breast also showed invasive ductal carcinoma plus invasive lobular carcinoma which was a total surprise because mammo and us didn't show the lobular, it showed just ductal carcinoma. So I decided to have mastectomy for my left breast too and I am just waiting for the surgery. We'll see if it will be clear.

    Carmen

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
    wow....

    wow....

  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    #5
    I had Lobular on right and

    I had Lobular on right and they found it on left when plastic surgeon reduced my good breast to match the other side.  The material he took away was analyzed as a matter of course and there it was.  So a month later mastectomy on other side.  

     

    Lobular is tricky and nothing showed up on yearly mamos I had had for ten years or so, this is normal for this type of cancer making it dangerous.  I am happy bilateral done on three monthly injection to close down ovaries.  ER positive age 57.  Hopeall goes well for you from now on.

  • Cricket64
    Cricket64 Member Posts: 63
    #6
    Talk about the importance of

    Talk about the importance of following your instincts

     

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #7
    Lobular is Sneaky

    Glad you found out before it was to late.

    Best to you,

     

    Doris

  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697
    #8
    SIROD said:

    Lobular is Sneaky

    Glad you found out before it was to late.

    Best to you,

     

    Doris

    Good to go with gut feelings!

     

    Great to hear your news, Sandra.  Linda

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #9
    lintx said:

    Good to go with gut feelings!

     

    Great to hear your news, Sandra.  Linda

    Amazing story

    Thank goodness you listened to that inner voice.  Hope you continue to do well.  So good you did not need chemo or radiation in any case.  Welcome,

    Suzanne

  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #10
    :-)

    So glad you caught them both in early stages and that you are on the way to healing, that is very good news!!!

     

    RE

  • sandra4611
    sandra4611 Member Posts: 121
    #11
    hope67 said:

    Congratulations on right decision

    And congratulations on no chemo and no rads. Did you have lobular carcinoma in your left breast? I am asking because lobular carcinoma is sometimes hard to see on mammos and it often goes to both sides. My pathology report after mastectomy of my right breast also showed invasive ductal carcinoma plus invasive lobular carcinoma which was a total surprise because mammo and us didn't show the lobular, it showed just ductal carcinoma. So I decided to have mastectomy for my left breast too and I am just waiting for the surgery. We'll see if it will be clear.

    Carmen

    Thinking of you

    Carmen,

    Yes, my "hidden" cancer was lobular. So glad you made the decision to go ahead with the second mastectomy. You won't be sorry. I pray all will go well. Keep us informed.

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