my wife just diagnosed with breast cancer

jim108
jim108 CSN Member Posts: 42 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

I finished surgery, chemo & rads in 12/21 for cancer on my tongue. NED so far. My wife had biopsy last week and MRI yesterday. We see the surgeon tommorrow.

It appears based on what she has been told so far by the nurse navigator that it's either a lumpectomy w/ radiation & hormone treatment OR a full mastectomy and no rad or chemo. I asked how much radiation and she didn't know, rather it's determined after the surgery. Yet I have found that rad is possible after a total mastectomy depending finding cancer in the margins or lymph nodes.

So wondering if the same amount of rad is used in both cases….seems to make an informed decision on the type of surgery one needs to also know about the follow up treatments and their effects. So is it worth seeing the rad doc before the surgery or should the surgeon know about this?

I had my treatment at the same place and they were very light on the details of the effects of the chemo, rads & surgery.

My wife has: Invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features

Histologic grade Grade 1 
1. Nuclear pleomorphism: 1 of 3
2. Mitotic rate: 1 of 3
3. Glandular differentiation: 3 of 34. Composite score: 5 of 9

E. Lymphovascular invasion: Not identified
F. Microcalcifications: Not identified
G. Ductal carcinoma in situ: Not identified

Prognostic indicators:
1. ER: Positive (3+, >95%)
2. PR: Positive (3+, 90%)
3. Ki67: Low (<10 %)
4. HER2 (IHC): Negative for protein overexpression (1+, 20% weak, incomplete staining)

the mass abuts but does not clearly invade the underlying pectoralis musculature No additional suspicious right breast enhancement or right-sided lymphadenopathy.

BIRADS 6. Known biopsy-proven malignancy.


Thanks and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Jim

Comments

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic CSN Member Posts: 161 Member
    #2
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/329601/my-wife-just-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer

    Given that it's very near the pectoral muscle she would most likely need radiation treatments even with a mastectomy. As for how much radiation treatment might be required only the Radiologist Oncologist would know. I would suggest talking with your Radiologist to find out more and then also discuss with the surgeon about what surgery would be recommended and why. Also, it may be possible that lymph nodes are involved but cannot be confirmed until they are removed during surgery and tested. Ask how many they plan on removing and testing. Radiation treatments may be required for this area too.

  • jim108
    jim108 CSN Member Posts: 42 Member
    #3

    We met with the surgeon. She is recommending lumpectomy with any radiation to be determined after the surgery. Hormone Blockers likely. Chemo not likely at this time. Of course all this is dependent on the surgery outcomes. She also said even a mastectomy could require radiation. Radiation amounts won't be determined until after the surgery.

    She is not recommending removing any of the lymph nodes as there is no sign of them being affected and the MRI doesn't show anything.

    Are their guidelines anywhere that directs the docs in terms of the radiation amounts?

    Is there anything more we should consider?

    TIA

    Jim

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic CSN Member Posts: 161 Member
    #4
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1724090#Comment_1724090

    Even though my Ultrasound and MRI didn't show lymph nodes were involved, my surgeon removed 3 for testing just to be sure. Again, talk with your Radiologist about treatment and dosage of the radiation.

    Why are you posting for your wife since she's the one with Breast Cancer?

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