Hi there. I have just undergone a single latissimus dorsi mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. I have IDC provisional Grade 1, borderline 2. I get my results and treatment plan on Thursday. My tumor is thought to be 3cm. Does anyone know the likelyhood that it will be in my lymph nodes and even if it isn’t, the likelyhood I will need Chemo with me being pre-menopausal? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Hi eesiboo and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the support you will soon have here please feel free to call our helpline for further support and information on 0808 800 6000 lines open 9-5 during the week and 10-2 Saturdays
I am posting a link to the BCC ‘Just diagnosed’ section of the website which I hope you will find useful:
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/diagnosis
Take care
Lucy
Hi Eesiboo
Welcome to the forums but sorry you had to join us. I’ve just finished treatment for a 19mm, grade 2 idc, I had a micromet (0.4mm) on one lymph node and therefore then had to have a full axillary node clearance. My BCN warned me from the outset that because of my age I’d probably have chemo (I’m 44). I was told by my onc that I was borderline for chemo but I opted to have it, and it was doable, I’m glad I had the courage to go through with it. When I was first diagnosed the thought of chemo was terrifying but by the time I got round to discussing treatment with my onc I was completely up for it and wanted to know I’d done everything possible to make sure it had gone for good. Just remember that whatever treatment you have is the best treatment for you, and if you do have chemo, it’s the gold standard treatment and you’ll be fine with it
x
Hi,
So sorry you find yourself here but I’m sure you will find the forum a great support. I had a mastectomy and immediate LD reconstruction a year ago, chemo and radiotherapy. I was 37 when diagnosed and they initially thought they had caught it early and dcis. At that stage my BCN said I would probably be given chemo even if it wasn’t in lymph nodes just because of my age. As it transpired my cancer was invasive and in some of my lymph nodes so I definitely got chemo. I know the thought is very daunting but I was just happy my medical team wanted to throw everything at it and hopefully kill any roaming cancer cells.
I can’t unfortunately tell you the likelihood of it being in your lymph nodes…but I am sure they will test you to find out….again a horrible wait for test result but if it helps at all I am almost a year out of my treatment and life has pretty much got back to normal apart from the daily tamoxifen…It’s not been the easiest of years but if you do have to do chemo I’m sure you will get through it as well. There are lots of things your medical team can prescribe to help minimise the chemo side effects.
Good luck
L x
i had idc grade 2 stage 2 never got chemo just wle rads and tamoxifen im 39 goodluck takecare xxx
I had grade 2 stage 2 IDC HER2- ER+. I had lumpectomony and was advised that I would only need rads but after the op I was offered chemo as the lump was 25mm. I had no nodes involved so was given the choice - I decided to go ahead with chemo as statistics were that 3% of women in my situation would benefit and although a low number, I wasn’t prepared to risk being one of the 3% and having regrets in the future. My Onc said that as I was young (I’m 52 so was pleased to be ‘young’) and healthy he agreed that I had made the right decision.
Thank you all for your comments. I really appreciate it. I will update you all on Thursday.
I have had fantastic news, following my surgery my results ended up grade 1 stage 1 and do not need chemo. Tamoxifen has been offered. Of my 3 cm tumor, they said only 1cm was cancerous. I wish you ladies all the best for the future. For me, I just need to concentrate on my post op recovery and take with me many positives from this journey. Xxx
Eesiboo - that is fantastic. I know I’m emotional at the moment as I’m at the start of the journey with my mum, but you’ve made me cry happy tears.