Stage I: Invasive ductal carcinoma

Roxi1

I had a limited nodal dissection on 1/25/05, and the results were negative. I am so very fortunate. I feel like a miracle has happened, and will forever more give thanks.

So, I am now officially stage I with Histology Grade 2 (E/P positive, but Her-2/neu negative).
I anticipated at each step of the diagnostic process, that there would be pain almost too much to bear.

However, with local anesthesia the wire localization was painless; the lumpectomy on 1/5 was painless (thanx to the surgeon who filled my wound with local anesthetic before he closed); the SNB and radioactive tracer was painless (thanks to the new process of diluting the tracer); and the nodal dissection was painless thanx to Lortab q 4 hrs after surgery and a terrific anesthesiologist who was 'into' pre-emptive analgesia; and the axillary drains after surgery, while not the greatest thing, are certainly not painful (and what would happen with all that fluid, if I didn't have any drains? daily trips to the surgeon for aspiration sure don't sound very appealing)

The interminable wait between procedures and/or interim path reports to obtain the final path reports were what caused the most anguish. Time has never gone so slow.

The friend I made from this forum, and close friends/family at home, made all the difference in the world. Without them, my emotions would not have been as stable nor as positive.

Just wanted to provide an update, and maybe a hopeful note to others who are still undergoing the diagnostic process........

Now...........onto treatment...............

Roxanne
_________________
Roxanne
Lumpectomy R. Breast 1/5/05, Post-Menopausal
1.2 cm invasive ductal CA
Histology Grade 2
Estrogen/Progesterone +
Her-2/neu Negative
Nodes negative, 2 Sentinel, 8 other nodes
RT 28+5, Tamoxifen (as osteoporosis)

hhmv73a · Experienced user Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 95

roxanne,

thanks for your update. please make sure you talk to your surgeon in the next follow up and ask if adjuvant treatment is needed in your case.

good luck,

jay

J. Jay Lu, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Radiology (Radiation Oncology)

Roxi1

Thank you Dr. Lu

The surgeon had previously said that if the nodes were negative, I would require radiation therapy. I would like to have a mammosite; however, not offered yet in my area (6 months from now, but not now).

And, he said he would also refer me to an oncologist, as I probably would need Tamoxifen or Arimidex (I already have osteoporosis, so I don't know how they would handle the Arimidex........)

I don't think I will need any chemotherapy; at least, they haven't mentioned that yet. So, if I do, I am totally unprepared.

Thank you again for responding, Dr. Lu
Roxanne
_________________
Roxanne
Lumpectomy R. Breast 1/5/05, Post-Menopausal
1.2 cm invasive ductal CA
Histology Grade 2
Estrogen/Progesterone +
Her-2/neu Negative
Nodes negative, 2 Sentinel, 8 other nodes
RT 28+5, Tamoxifen (as osteoporosis)

Minnlady13

Thanks for the update, Roxanne. Isn't it wonderful to hear neg. nodes? I remember hearing those words and weeping I was so relieved. Sounds like your whole procedure was well-handled thanks to your great medical team. What a difference that makes. Continued luck with your treatments. Please keep us posted on your progress. Hugs, Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

Roxi1

oh yes, such a wonderful relief to hear the words [u]negative nodes[/u]. I don't know if I was crying harder, or my husband. Tears of joy. My husband said through his tears: 'this is the face of happiness" Very Happy

Yes, I feel we were very blessed by an outstanding medical team. It makes all the difference in the world. And, to think.......we didn't really 'pick them'; they were selected for us by the referring Dr.. So we really did luck out. All of the staff, including the Radiologists who were present at the wire localization, SNB, etc to the nurses in the operating room; all were just so very patient centered--so kind, and so 'present'.

God is good!!!!!
_________________
Roxanne
Lumpectomy R. Breast 1/5/05, Post-Menopausal
1.2 cm invasive ductal CA
Histology Grade 2
Estrogen/Progesterone +
Her-2/neu Negative
Nodes negative, 2 Sentinel, 8 other nodes
RT 28+5, Tamoxifen (as osteoporosis)

ritavv · New User Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 3

Hi,
I had a somewhat similar diagnosis and pathology to you. I just want to mention that the standard is to give chemo for cancers greater than 1cm. However, recently they are finding that certain DNA tests can determine if the chemo is really needed in cases like yours and mine (1.6cm). I was diagnosed 4 years ago and my oncologist didn't have those tests available but he convinced me that I wouldn't benefit much from chemo because my cancer was especially slow growing and very very estrogen and progesterone sensitive. Therefore he felt the gain wasn't worth the chemo risks. It was a difficult decision to make but I am now happy that I decided not to do chemo. I am NOT saying that you shouldn't have chemo... just that there may be a test out there that will tell whether you should.
_________________
diagnosed 1/26/2001
1.6cm IDC, Stage 1, Grade 2
node negative, Er+/Pr+ Her2-
lumpectomy and radiation
Tamoxifen 3.5 years, with Lupron 18 mo.
currently on Arimidex

leo · Owner Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Roxi

I am very glad to hear about your path reports. You are witnessing how cancer care should be done: a multi-specialty and team-based approach.

best regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

Madge · Regular Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 27

I was stage T1a, er2 3+ very agressive and large area, luckily the invasive component was small, My oncologist said the risk benefit ratio of chemo led her to believe chemo wasn't advisable. She would have started me on something had I been ER/PR + but Herceptin, which works on HER+ cells has some nasty side effects I guess. Although I am VERY grateful for not needing chemo, it worries me that some little sneaky CA cell could have gotten out and made itself at home somewhere else in my body, I have my 6 mo appt in March and I am going to ask that she at least do some lab evaluation for tumor markers - to my knowledge none have ever b een taken.

I wish you luck and pray for a full recovery.
_________________
Madge
61-years young
Dx - 7/04
Bilateral Mastectomy (skin sparing) 8/19/04
Negative nodes
Micro-invasive DCIS, DCIS, LCIS
Stage T1a
ER/PR -
Her2 3+
No chemo, no radiation
Waiting for reconstruction

AlaskaAngel · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:31 pm Post subject: Stage 1

Hi Madge/Rita,

The "tiny cancer cell that remains" is sort of theoretical... and chemo can also cause cancer...

Mine was 1.6 and I am ER/PR+ too but not slow-growing, more's the pity. I did CAF x 6 and rads and am hopeful for new methods so that there will be fewer women who end up having to go through it -- especially since the vast majority of women who are stage 1 apparently would do just fine without anything but surgery.

A.A.
_________________
Dx Dec 2001 at age 50
Lumpectomy Jan 2002, 1.6 cm IDC plus some DCIS
Node neg
ER+, PR+, HER2+++
CAF x 6, 35 rads+boost
NED
Tamoxfen 1 3/4 yrs
In 2 clinical trials
bc for mom and 1 sis and 1 aunt and 1 granny
ovarian cancer for 1 aunt

Madge · Regular Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 27

Thanks Alaska Angel for the encouragement. I try no to be worried or consumed by the "possibilies" but rather enjoy and treasure each day. IT's just that I am coming to my 6mo visit and of course want to come out of it with NED>

. If I remember correctly your family is from Placerville. If you're ever in this area I would love to meet you.
_________________
Madge
61-years young
Dx - 7/04
Bilateral Mastectomy (skin sparing) 8/19/04
Negative nodes
Micro-invasive DCIS, DCIS, LCIS
Stage T1a
ER/PR -
Her2 3+
No chemo, no radiation
Waiting for reconstruction

AlaskaAngel · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 10:54 pm Post subject: Shaking hands

I'm looking forward to that, Madge -- we try to get that far south in the fall or around November since I have exams for one clinical trial around that time in Seattle. In the meantime, best wishes for your checkups -- my next one is the second week of March so I am checking everything twice!

A.A.
_________________
Dx Dec 2001 at age 50
Lumpectomy Jan 2002, 1.6 cm IDC plus some DCIS
Node neg
ER+, PR+, HER2+++
CAF x 6, 35 rads+boost
NED
Tamoxfen 1 3/4 yrs
In 2 clinical trials
bc for mom and 1 sis and 1 aunt and 1 granny
ovarian cancer for 1 aunt

Madge · Regular Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 27

Good luck with your exams AA. My appts are the 2nd wk of March also. I'll pray that we both come out clean as a whistle and NEW. This is my 6m check up.

I am a nurse and work as a clinical trial monitor. How in the world did you get enrolled into two studies at once (if I am reading correctly) and so far away - Seattle.
_________________
Madge
61-years young
Dx - 7/04
Bilateral Mastectomy (skin sparing) 8/19/04
Negative nodes
Micro-invasive DCIS, DCIS, LCIS
Stage T1a
ER/PR -
Her2 3+
No chemo, no radiation
Waiting for reconstruction

Madge · Regular Joined: 27 Dec 2004 Posts: 27

ooooooppppppps. I meant NED
_________________
Madge
61-years young
Dx - 7/04
Bilateral Mastectomy (skin sparing) 8/19/04
Negative nodes
Micro-invasive DCIS, DCIS, LCIS
Stage T1a
ER/PR -
Her2 3+
No chemo, no radiation
Waiting for reconstruction

AlaskaAngel · Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2005 1:40 pm Post subject: Having FUN

Madge, if we keep this up I'll be packing my bags and heading south with or without my husband. I got in the first trial a little over 2 years ago and then started another this year with the mutual permission of both clinical coordinators. (Neither involve chemo regimens.) Seattle is where my surgeon and onc are and since Fred Hutch is one of the major players I landed in their lap for the first trial. The other was more difficult to set up as it is not out of Seattle. I do want to say that both clinical coordinators have been pretty remarkable people, and the communication with them is very easy and to the point.

-AlaskaAngel, a remnant of the 60's generation
_________________
Dx Dec 2001 at age 50
Lumpectomy Jan 2002, 1.6 cm IDC plus some DCIS
Node neg
ER+, PR+, HER2+++
CAF x 6, 35 rads+boost
NED
Tamoxfen 1 3/4 yrs
In 2 clinical trials
bc for mom and 1 sis and 1 aunt and 1 granny
ovarian cancer for 1 aunt

DanielleS · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 1:32 am Post subject: Invasive Ductal CA

Hey. My mom was also just diagnosed with the same thing. How are you doing with it? Did you start treatments right after you were diagnosed. I have a lot of questions about this and I'm sure you know more about it than I do. The dr's are talking aboutdoing a masectomy. Did you have a masectomy?

Danielle
_________________
My mom
She is 44
Diagnosed 3/7/05
Lumpectomy
Mastectomy 3/29/05
Lymph node biopsy 3/24/05
1 cm
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
Stage IIA
Chemo started 5/5/05
AC Taxol (dose dense)
Neupogen shots every other day for 4 months
ER+

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