IDC disease course without treatment

[Kathm]

My 81 year old mom has Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma grade 3, estrogen + breast cancer with a tumor of 4x3x2 cm. No node or met survey yet.She says she has lived a good life and prefers not to endure the pain and discomfort of surgery, chemo or radiation, but wants to enjoy the time she has. Our question is what is the likely course of this disease if untreated? The tumor is easily felt. Would the pain of a tumor rupturing be more problem that surgery and recovery? Or is it most likely with this disease that a met will express itself and cause death by compromising a distant site. I am having trouble finding any information about the progress of this disease if untreated except with palliative care. Thanks.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Kathm, It is difficult to predict an exact course based on such limited information. Decisions about treatment or no treatment need to be made based on several factors including tumor features such as ER/PR status, stage of disease, overall health of the patient etc.  These decisions are made best in  consultation with an oncologist who can discuss risks and benefits in context of the individual patient situation.  There are a number of directions that might be appropriate in terms of treatment that could be very well tolerated.    

[SueYoung55]

The mastectomy doesn't really hurt and recovery is quite easy. It's the stupid drain you have for a few days that's irritating. I don't think she realises that mastectomies are an outpatient surgery in most cases. Talk to her and let her know that she does have options and if she chooses to give up, that's fine. But if she wants a little more time with her children/grandchildren/great grandchildren... the surgery isn't bad at all.

Best wishes to ALL of you as you go through this.