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diagnosed with invasive ductile carcinoma
i am 42 years old and have never had children ,I have recieved the results of my biopsy today and I have idc does this mean I will lose my breast? or are there any other treatments that I could undergo, I have perfect breasts and the thought of losing one is unbearable, I dont know what to expect and this is driving me insane with worry ,can you help me please, regards patti estrada
A related discussion, ductile cancer was started.
just a quick update on my progress,have seen a doctoer a wonderful woman surgeon who has been so kind and informative we have discussed many options, and i have undergone many more tests, MRI scan ecoscans of most of my body ,blood tests , 3 more biopsys ,lymph glands and two more in the the breast, am awaiting the results ,the preliminary course of action is a lumpectomy and my surgeon asures me she will do all in her power to maintain the shape and form of my breast but she cannot promise more until she has opened it up and seen what state it is in ,all the scans in the world are no substitute for a good surgeon my results a re due monday and the operation is planned for friday after the operation she will guide me on the next course of action but she thinks that kemo is probably the next step, will keep you posted on my progress and thank you all for your advise and support love patti
Get several opinions from the best doctors around. Surprisingly your plastic surgeon will be able to give you some great information. They tend to be perfectionist, so they really are concerned with the appearance of the breast. I will tell you this, I opted for a bilateral mastectomy because I had really small breast and I was told that for cosmetic reasons it would look better. They were going to have to put an implant in the other one to make it look like the one that had cancer after they fixed it, etc... I was only 38 and did not want to worry about it. Now my breast look like a 16 year olds. I have no sensation, which is hard to deal with, but they look great. Actually, you have to realize that your breast are no longer your friend. Look at all you option and make an informed decision. You WILL get through this and be a stronger person. Your boyfriend will step up to the plate and be there for you. He really does just want you to be healthy, your breast don't matter to him, he just wants you to be alive. My husband and I are closer than ever after going through this awful ordeal. My advice to you is "get your game face on and get ready to fight!" You'll do great! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
thank you irene i am off to barcelona today to see a doctor my worst fears are for my boyfriend but he tells me i have nothing to worry about, the the most important thing for him is my health, so sorry for my bad english but i find it very hard to concentrate at the moment, I have a ball of 1 cm ,but the other things you mentioned I dont have results yet ,all I know is I now have a battle on my hands and I will try to beat this unfair deamon in that has entered my body without my permission, with suport and my friends I will beat this, Many thanks for your help and wish me luck regards patti
Dear patti, There are options for surgical treatment of breast cancer other than mastectomy. Breast conserving surgery which is lumpectomy (removal of area of concern with an additional margin of tissue that is free of any cancer cells), followed by radiation therapy to the breast may be a possibility. The decision about the surgical treatment of breast cancer after biopsy takes into account several factors. These include the size and location of the area to be removed, as well as what may be expected cosmetic result. If removal of the breast is considered the best option for the individual situation there are several options for immediate reconstruction. Have a thorough discussion with a breast surgeon as well as a plastic surgeon regarding the various options recommended for your individual situation, and expected cosmetic results, so you can make an informed decision about this step of treatment.
The treatment of breast cancer has improved remarkably in the last 20 yrs. What is recommended depends on several issues: size of the tumor, location, sentinel nodes, axillary nodes, etc. The treatment may be: modified mastectomy (leaving the pectoral muscle), lumpectomy (almost always follwoed by radiation). After either, there is the option of chemotherapy and/or radiation. There is also reconstructive surgery after mastectomies which will restore a normal appearance (but not the feeling).
My diagnosis was last December and I was overwhelmed. I took off two weeks for the holidays, read as much as I could, got second, third and even fourth opinions and then proceeded. You will be a major part of the decision making, so you will have a say in what is done. Your decisions will be based on the statistics and data given to you by the oncologist.
My mother has a friend who had breast ca at age 32 and then proceeded to have a healthy baby girl several years after.
Good luck.
IreneM
My diagnosis was last December and I was overwhelmed. I took off two weeks for the holidays, read as much as I could, got second, third and even fourth opinions and then proceeded. You will be a major part of the decision making, so you will have a say in what is done. Your decisions will be based on the statistics and data given to you by the oncologist.
My mother has a friend who had breast ca at age 32 and then proceeded to have a healthy baby girl several years after.
Good luck.
IreneM
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