Hi Sam Mine was 6.5cm lobular, had mastectomy and reconstruction 6 months ago..i was node neg, so had onco dx test done, came back low risk, do no chemo. My oncologist said the size has only effected it minimally...he said all new research states now that size is of least importance..its more about the biology..how aggressive it is Rachael x
Sam i am grade 2 her2+ and er+. I am having 4th of 7 chemo tomorrow. I didnt have a lump but had an area of calcifications in which a small invasive cancer was found. Because it was over 2cm i can have all the treatments i need - chemo, herceptin and permuzetab followed by masectomy and letrozole ( i cant have rads because i had it last year when i had DCIS).
Because i have 'an area, when my onc measures at my apt she says its like feeling for a pillow in a wuilt. People with lumps seem to be having shrinkage!!
Try not to worry! Stay in the day, focus on the positives and i am sure when you have your definite treatment plan you will feel better.
Great attitude Mai! Sam there is no one size fits all ruling with BC , as the ladies have said the smallest of tumours can cause much more trouble than the biggest, we all have to Live with the possibility of reacurrance and spread , it's the nature of this beast unfortunately but we also need to try and be as positive as we can and believe that we've got this 💪💪Xx
Hi Sam, The internet can be a bit of a scary place when going through this, I had an aversion to Dr Google when first diagnosed as I didn’t want to be scared, preferring to rely on what my team told me. In hindsight, I was glad I did. Now I’m through treatment & getting on with life, I’m quite happy to search anything bc related as I’m not in that horrible just diagnosed stage. As Jill says, size is only one aspect. It’s good it’s low grade & nodes are clear. ann x
some types of breast cancer are harder to detect and tend to be larger when diagnosed( lobular ) and the location in your breast can make it harder to notice yourself , but doesn't mean they are harder to treat.Plenty of ladies on this site with large tumours who are still around many years later - try not to focus on it -just take one step at a time or you will get overwhelmed .
Hi Ladies, mine was also a particularly big and ugly lump (5cm tumour extending to 9cm of tissue with cancerous activity) 9/12 lymph nodes affected. I was diagnosed March 2017. I've had 8 rounds of FEC-T chemo (to shrink it as it was inoperable) a mastectomy and lymph node clearance and am awaiting radiotherapy. I'm also now on Tamoxifen as mine is ER/PR+ 8/8 (HER2-). My oncologist said "we're throwing the book at it". Mine was also inflammatory. I'm considered high risk for recurrence but I now try and focus n the positives: 1. It's been removed, 2. the lymph nodes have been removed. 3. I had clear margins 4. I have a pill to take 5. I'm having radiotherapy. As Jill suggested, prognosis is multi faceted and everyone is different so an average-based prognosis doesn't give your personal prognosis.
I eat healthy, I've quit dairy and alcohol and feel I've done everything in my power so have a clear conscience. I enjoy life daily and don't look too far ahead and don't spoil today's enjoyment worrying about tomorrow. In life anything can happen but we are just more aware of that now. We truly know what it means to live. Love and best wishes. Xx
I’m HER2+ ER- - stage 2 grade 1/2 , that’s all I know so far. My scans at the moment show no lymph involvement at the moment. It’s the size that keeps bothering me though!! No idea how I didn’t notice it?? X
Sam,don't panic there are lots of factors that affect prognosis and size is only one of them .You have a low grade tumour , a small high grade tumour may well be a lot more serious .What type of breast cancer have you been diagnosed with ?
Hi Ladies... I came across this thread as I too am worried about the size of my lump. I have been told it’s between 4-5cm which sounds huge to me. I have been told that while I am HER2+ the tumor is low grade 1 or 2. I’m starting chemo next week to shrink before surgery. I guess my question is how important is size in terms of prognosis. Everything on the internet seems to suggest that size is one of the most important factors and my prognosis is worse as a result? I don’t have any node ivolvement according to my CT and ultrasound. Help please! I’m scared!! X
I have been worried about the size of mine, because I was told that it was 3cm. I think like anything, we work ourselves up over the differences and imagine all sorts of things that don't really help us, but it is natural to worry at times like this.
Hi Rachy. Mine was a big bugger too. 6cm. Unfortunately mine got into 2/9 nodes so now waiting on oncotype dx testing. It's such a terrifying time and you're not alone especially on here. My consultant is very positive with my prognosis so stay positive. Sending hugs xxxx
From what I've seen here, it's not unusual for lobular bc to be technically larger, as it tends to grow differently to ductal. I have seen ladies here who have reported larger areas that yours. It's good the drs are saying that & there's no reason why your prognosis should not be good, especially as it's all been removed.
It might be an idea to post in 'ask our nurses' for some reassurance.
take care, it does take a while to process it all.
Hi ladies I had a mastectomy and reconstruction for large,6.5 lobular cancer 7 weeks ago.Thankfully it was node neg and no lympho vascular invasion..anyone else had a largreat lobular? Dcos say the size has made no difference to the outcomes and I have good prignosis. .anyone else been in similar situation? Xx I'm so scared xx
