I too, and having chemo before surgery. I had a 3.5 x 4.5 cm IDC. the original plan was surgery first. However when the size was confirmed, and some questions of local spreading arose, they changed the treatment to chemo first.
Prior to chemo, they confirmed there was no spreading but the dark patch of skin over the tumour has not been explained. sometimes this is a sign that it *might* spread.
However after one dose of chemo, the oncologist estimates the tumour has shrunk to half the size. I found it harder to find and so did he. this morning, I’ve also noticed the patch is fading.
In my case, having the chemo first, could swing my chances of mastectomy to WLE.
Raechi… I like your pals thinking. I’m going to remember that when it’s my turn…
Elli xx
Thats what i focus on Elli :-). She said it was her perverse way of thinking…but i think she has a point.
xx
Hi Gadegetgirl,
You mention a dark patch of skin over the tumour, I have also noticed this it is like a ‘shading’. I am also chemo first.
I am concerned that you say it means it ‘might spread’.
Could you please explain?
Thanks
WS x
I have that, I just thought it was near the surface…
My other lump… I can’t feel… Because of where it is. I am so special I got two…
Eleanor x
Wintersocks, I got mixed messages so it’s not 100% clear in my head.
When I mentioned the patch the surgeon took a skin sample right then and sent it for testing. a couple of days later the BCN said is looked as if “the skin was involved” and that mastectomy was a certainty.
Later that week I saw the oncologist and it turned out that they still weren’t sure what they patch was about. Nevertheless they were going for chemo first, for the tumour size and because of the uncertainty. The following week I saw the oncologist again to book chemo and sign consent forms. At this point the MRI, CT and Bone scan results were in and there was no spreading.
The letter to my GP says there is no spread to the skin, no attachment but the shading might be an early indicator.
When I got home, I’ll double check the wording and post again. However, this patch of skin, whatever is causing it, is fading after one chemo.
This is worrying me now, suppose the cancer cells spread when they operate on me without chemo first?
Hi Sascha,
I am sure your Onc team have assessed your situation. Are you having chemo afterwards?
I dont think any of us are treated 100% the same way. Any concerns i really would take them back to your Onc to put your mind at rest.
Rae
Sascha, just to add to Rae’s good advice: when they operate on you, they will take a biopsy of the removed tissue to make sure they took all of it.
Hi Gadget girl,
Thanks for that. My ‘shading’ has appeared after the second chemo. I just assumed it was dead cells.
I too have had all clear on MRI/CT/ etc.
I am seeing the oncologist (only for the 2nd time)tomorrow to see if chemo is working and the mass is shrinking. I will ask her what it is.
Sascha, It is very difficult to compare our selves with others. when I do sometimes I am re-assured and other times I am even more scared. It seems to me that bc is very complex and we all are different both in presentation and treatment plans/response. Also the picture can change from one week to the next. I find it very frustrating.
WS xx