Why was nothing done

[riche1]

My wife is 45 years old and has been going for mammograms and ultrasounds for at least the last 4 years.  She is cystic which is why she has ultrasounds.  This year when she went for her checkups, they decided to do a biopsy on a lump she had pointed out before.  It turned out to be invasive ductal carcinoma about 2cm in size.  After a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy two of the nodes were positive and tissue border was also positive.  She went in again and had more tissue removed and the rest of the lymph nodes.  She is now Stage IIB.  I am having a hard time with the fact that nothing was done earlier.  Can someone go from no cancer to Stage IIB in one year or did someone drop the ball?

[omacar]

I have had yearly mammos.  In 1995  cancer was found  and when my surgeon compared the one to the previuos year  the lump was there and not reported.  I had a mastectomy  and 2 positive nodes.  I felt had it been seen in 1994 I might not have had the nodes, but that is something I will never know.  It is unfortunate these things happen but the important thing is to put it behind you  and concentrate all your energy  on your tratments  and a positive attitude.

[seven7]

I forgot to mention in previous message that I had a mastectomy also.

[seven7]

In Feb. 2001 my mammogram showed normal.  My mammogram and an ultrasound the next year,  Feb. 2002,  I was found with a 5 CM cancer in one breast.  I ,too, questioned why something was not found the previous yr.
My cancer was an aggressive Lobular, and I am told that it is hard to find on a mammogram.
I am glad to report that after my treatments (8 chemos--33 radiations, and now on Tamoxifen)  my recent year checkup with CT scans and a bone Scan were all negative! All my lab blood work was also in normal range.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear riche1:  It is difficult to determine the exact point at which a person may have developed cancer.  It is concerning that your wife had pointed out the lump before.  Did it look different on the mammogram this year?  Or did they pursue it for another reason?  It is most important, at this point, to make sure that she has appropriate treatment for her situation.  If, however, you have these questions, you should ask for satisfactory answers; if for no other reason than your peace of mind.