"highly suspicious" breast lump...

[MorphFan]

Have just found out that the biopsies I've had taken from a breast lump are highly suspicious - but not conclusive yet of breast cancer. Further tests have to be done before they know what to do next...
I'm trying to stay positive - but this has been dragging on for a while now and each visit to the hospital brings a bit more bad news...
I have DS aged 3 and DD aged 1...
Does anyone have any experience of this please?

Just checked back and saw your news, so sorry and wishing you all the good wishes for things to turn out ok for you.

As you asked about my biopsy - waiting my own results tomorrow. If anyone else is bfeeding and has to have a biopsy, careful - i developed an abscess both times....

Thank you all for your messages.

This all feels very surreal. Am keeping myself busy with practical things to be done before my surgery on the 16th. Am pretty sure I'll opt for mastectomy - no point in taking any chances of leaving some behind...

Little Miss Norty
I'm ER+. HER2 status awaited - along with exact grading. If I'm positive - would I take Tamoxifen AND Herceptin??
I have papillary carcinoma of the breast - well, one mass confirmed as that so far.

edd021208
Hope very much your results are benign and you can avoid surgery.

Have they offered you tamoxifen? They may offer you something to stop the oestrogen in other ways (stop your ovaries working essentially).

If HER-2 positive and eligible for chemo, you should be offered Herceptin irrespective of anything else AFAIK. You will be referred to an oncologist after surgery.

Eligibility for chemo likely to depend on grade and Lymph node status. All 3 in same breast? Do you know the sizes of them? Did they give any recommendations re surgery?

If I can answer anything, do let me know

I am thinking of you x

I just wanted to say how sorry I am.

I did a quick google of your illness and it seems to say that the sort of cancer you have is rare, but the least invasive and easiest treated. I do hope so.

Make sure you know all the facts and make a good choice over lumpectomy etc- losing a breast is a big issue- as if you need telling!- and may not be necessary.

I hope it all goes well for you.

My friend had (I think) the same kind (she is 37) 3 years ago.

She had a double masectomy and chemo (6 lots) and is fine now. She says that at the time it all went so quixkly, as she had to carry on as normal too. She found the care side to be v good.

I wish you lots of good wishes.

Yes - they have offered Tamoxifen. And, all being well, I will see the Oncologist about 10 days post surgery.

I've been told chemo very likely because of my age (42)... Sentinel node sampling being done at same time as op.

Yes - all three in same breast. Started off with a 4mm hard pea shaped lump and now have an additional two much larger "porridgey" feeling areas on either side of the original. They are both about 2 fingers width long and quite "chunky". (My interpretation of them obviously! - no official sizing). Up until now I have been told everything was within the ductal system - so I guess it is possible they are joined somehow - not visible on ultrasound.

My Consultant has recommended either lumpectomy or mastectomy - my choice. If I choose lumpectomy he can't guarantee I won't lose the nipple.

I just feel quite strongly at the moment that I want everything removed. That way I will feel I have done absolutely everything I can to remove the malignancy. If I choose lumpectomy and the margins aren't good it would mean further surgery, and a delay to starting chemo and/or radiotherapy.

My self-esteem has been in my boots for a long time and obviously mastectomy is going to be a huge thing for me to come to terms with - but nothing compared to the thought of not being around for my children.

Thanks to purplepeony and littlerach too. Both posts helping me to keep positive.

I can see where you're coming from regarding the mastectomy, and I have to say that would be my thoughts if I were in your position. Did they mention reconstruction at all? May be an option later?

Papillary Ca is often low grade and sometimes "in-situ" (not invaded into the surrounding breast tissue) and if it is sentinel node neg, low grade and good margins, you may not need chemo, although as you're very young, they are preparing you for the possibility. Presumably the papillary bit is why it was highly suspicious....often difficult to determine on biopsy.

Have you looked at the Cancer Backup site or Cancer research UK site? Both very good.

Hope you are coping ok and have a supportive family around you. Do you now wait until 16th?

I think it's poor that you are being given the choice of the kind of op.

Your drs must give you more info.

If it is DCIS it may not be invasive and you might only need lumpec.- is this not being discussed? Surely they would not offer a lumpec. if it was higher risk of recurrence? You must ask for stats on recurrence for both ops and what he recommends. It's a huge decision to have put onto you without guidance.

LMN
Yes - reconstruction is an option either immediately or later.
If I choose immediate reconstruction they would have to do sentinel node sampling first - ie: on the 16th. I would then have to wait a week or so for those results, and then go back for the big op.

So - I'll go for reconstruction later... Which would mean a referral to the Plastic Surgeons about 6 months after the end of radiotherapy. Apparently one of the reconstruction options is to use tummy fat - so I'd effectively get a tummy tuck at the same time. Every cloud...

I did ask if this was DCIS - and apparently it isn't.

I've registered with breastcare.org, but not the two you have mentioned. Thanks.

Unfortunately family are all a two hour+ drive away - we moved here about two years ago. However, we are discovering we have actually made some fantastic new friends.

We'll be seeing my Breast Care Nurse on the 7th, Nuc Med on the 15th, op on the 16th...

PP
I know it seems we've been put in a difficult position - but actually I'm taking heart from the fact the surgeon thinks lumpectomy is an option.

It's def not DCIS - so no guarantee there is no spread. They won't know that for sure until they operate. He can't guarantee I won't lose the nipple with lumpectomy.

I spoke to my Breast Care Nurse yesterday and told her I thought I would go for mastectomy. We are going to discuss it fully - pros and cons of both - when we see here on the 7th. And they are always on the phone in the meantime. Apparently Macmillan Support are also good people to talk to - so I'll do that too.

Anyway - I'm now off for a long planned weekend away. Can't wait.... Lots of lovely chatter with friends that I don't see nearly enough of...

Whereabouts in the country are you roughly? Have you told your family? What a difficult thing to do. Often very difficult for DHs as well. Your BCN sounds great. Fingers crossed its low grade and SN neg. As you say, offering a lumpectomy is a positive sign in my book.

Have a fab relaxing weekend without too many tears x

I am sorry you've had this news. Bugger bugger bugger. I had the recon at the same time as the mastectomy. It's a long operation. I expect they've told you that if you go for the lumectomy you can end up with slight craters in your boob. I also had some lymph nodes removed, so there is a chance of lymphodema. I've had it a bit, and it's quite painful but so far this year I've been ok.

Like you I was kind of expecting the worst, but still it's a shock to have it confirmed. I hope you are in the best possible hands, and take whatever support is offered.

MorphFan - really really good wishes from me, and thanks for asking and your general courtesy to everyone - a couple of weeks ago the docs were about to insert a wire to guide the surgeon (I'd had a biopsy that came back as very slightly suspicious a while ago) and I asked for a new biopsy and it has come back fine, so i'm very luckily in the clear now.

Good news edd

yes...very lucky of course that it is benign, and then very lucky I asked for another biopsy or I'd have had surgery...

Only just recovering from what turned into a hectic weekend away!

LMN
I'm in Berkshire. All family and friends told now - which has been very difficult, but am glad it is all done. The news is filtering through to more remote friends and have had some lovely messages... Very hard for DP too, but we are hanging on to our sense of humour. I sometimes think it is easier to be the one with the illness...

silentcat
I think I would have more crater than boob if I went for lumpectomy - which is one of the reasons I'm gong for mastectomy.
Did you go on to have chemo and/or radiotherapy following surgery?

I have been offered immediate or delayed reconstruction. Think will go for delayed so that I can get going with the chemo asap.

bugger bugger bugger is just about how I'm feeling

edd
That's great news - so pleased for you. It's hard tho - going through all those appts, waiting, results etc - even when you get the result you're hoping for.

Sorry to hear your news, Morph- will be thinking of you and following your updates if you pop back on at times. I don't do prayers either, but if little positive vibes ripple their way across to you, some are coming from me- good luck!

Glad you've got some good friends around you and that everyone knows now. Hopefully you won't have to wait long to get the rest of the info re grade, HER-2 status etc. Sounds like you have a good medical team as well. I will be thinking of you and if there is anything I can do / help with, please shout.

Hi,

I hope you don't mind me commenting on this post! I have just had 13 core biopsies taken (very sore!) and they have said it's suspicious to me too! Have to wait now for the results .. can take up to 2 weeks!!

I have a 3 year old boy, 4 month old girl and we have just found out that even though I was on contraception I am now pregnant again!

Just feel like I'm on a rollercoaster and I really want to get off but I can't!!!!

This is an old thread kate. Why not start your own on the general health board as I am sure you will get good advice and support.
I hope it all turns out okay and that it is not serious and congratulations on your pregnancy
Best wishes x..