Author |
Topic Search Topic Options
|
Jude
Groupie
Joined: Feb 17 2013
Location: Maryland
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Topic: worried about what they'll find Posted: Apr 25 2013 at 3:14pm |
I was diagnosed in January with tnbc and when I had a 2nd opinion at Dana Farber they suggested I get baseline testing done. Though my oncologist said he doesn't recommend baseline scans, he agreed to do them. The bone scans and CT scans were all normal except for something on my liver that they thought was most likely a hemangioma. Since it did show something, he said I should have a liver MRI just to confirm that it is in fact a hemangioma. Well I had the liver MRI last week and now he tells me the MRI results disagree with the CT scan. The radiologist thought the MRI result showed a met that had been shrunken from chemo. (I had had completed two chemo doses before the MRI.) So now the oncologist says I should have a liver biopsy which is scheduled for tomorrow. I am a wreck. Wasn't expecting this as my SNB in February was 0/6. Any one have any thoughts or words of encouragement? I haven't been able to function for the last three days. I was handling the TNBC diagnosis, chemo, etc. really well but this has set me over the edge.
Dx TNBC 1/20/13, age 60, 4.7 cm, stage 2 grade 2a lumpectomies 1/24/13 and 2/15/13, no clear margins, snb 0/6 TAC chemo started 3/8/13 mastectomy (bilateral tbd) to follow chemo
|
|
overwhelmed
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 06 2010
Location: Greenville, SC
Status: Offline
Points: 490
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Apr 25 2013 at 7:03pm |
Jude, I do know of someone (not TNBC, but Her2+) who was sure she was Stage 4 because one of the scans showed what looked like a met on her lung. After a couple of anxious weeks it was determined it wasn't a met. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I know this must be so scary, but I hope that you find that it is just some type of benign nodule, etc. Hang in there, Lori
|
DX ILC TNBC 3/10 at 50, Stage IIb; Grade 3; 5.1 to 7 cm,SNB neg;TC-6 rnds, 30 rads, Avastin-18 rnds, BRAC 1&2-
|
|
123Donna
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 24 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Status: Offline
Points: 13509
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Apr 25 2013 at 7:12pm |
Jude,
I will be thinking of you tomorrow and hope the biopsy goes well. I'm hoping the scans are just false positive and you have nothing to worry about.
Donna
|
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09) 11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
|
|
MarissaK
Groupie
Joined: Jan 06 2013
Location: Northern Cali
Status: Offline
Points: 84
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Apr 25 2013 at 8:07pm |
Jude,
Just curious, did your oncologist state why he doesn't recommend baseline scans? When you say you had "bone scans" done first, do you mean a PET/CT? PET/CT's are pretty sensitive and, I would think, would have lit up cancer if it was in your liver. There are distinct characteristics between cysts and tumors, so if it read as a hemangioma to begin with, that's hopefully all it is. They are very common. Did the tech suggest how the MRI results differed from the CT scan?
|
DX 5/18/12 at age 34. Stage IIIC IDC TNBC, grade 3, 3 cm (multiregional nodal involvement). DD ACT complete 9/5/12. BMX 10/15/12, ALND: 0/12 nodes. pCR. Rads x 25 + 3 boosts completed 2/6/13. BRCA neg
|
|
Jude
Groupie
Joined: Feb 17 2013
Location: Maryland
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Apr 25 2013 at 8:17pm |
My oncologist said that baselines tend to turn up too many false positives and create so much anxiety. (which clearly i'm having) but isn't it better to know what you're dealing with so you can treat it early? I definitely didn't have a PET scan. I had a bone scan and then a CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. The CT report read probable hemangioma of the liver. The MRI read probable met of the liver. I'm feeling a little less anxious now from your comment and the others who responded to my post. Thank you so much.
Edited by Jude - Apr 25 2013 at 8:17pm
|
|
MarissaK
Groupie
Joined: Jan 06 2013
Location: Northern Cali
Status: Offline
Points: 84
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Apr 26 2013 at 12:31am |
If something looks suspicious for cancer when you have a CT, typically the radiologist will suggest MRI for a closer look because he/she is uncertain. But, it sounds like it was your oncologist who ordered the MRI, right? It's great that your doctor is being diligent, but if it wasn't the radiologist's idea, I think that's a good sign. Also, images are enhanced different on PET, CT and MRI. So maybe what looked a little smaller to the tech reading the MRI report could have been misinterpreted as a possible met w/shrinkage from chemo effect.
Please keep us posted on the results of the biopsy. I will be praying for you that this is nothing.
|
DX 5/18/12 at age 34. Stage IIIC IDC TNBC, grade 3, 3 cm (multiregional nodal involvement). DD ACT complete 9/5/12. BMX 10/15/12, ALND: 0/12 nodes. pCR. Rads x 25 + 3 boosts completed 2/6/13. BRCA neg
|
|
123Donna
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 24 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Status: Offline
Points: 13509
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Apr 26 2013 at 10:54am |
Jude,
From my experience once you've been diagnosed with breast cancer, that with the different type of scans, if they see anything unusual they'll almost always recommend further testing, like a biopsy. They'd rather be very cautious instead of don't worry it's probably nothing. So my take is many times it will turn out to be a false positive.
|
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09) 11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
|
|
Jude
Groupie
Joined: Feb 17 2013
Location: Maryland
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Apr 26 2013 at 7:31pm |
Thanks Marissa and Donna for your encouragement. The biopsy went fine but now the hard part is waiting. They said I'd have results early next week. I'll be in touch, of course.
|
Dx TNBC 1/20/13; age 60 BRCA-, 4.7 cm, stage 2A, grade 2 lumpectomies 1/24/13 and 2/15/13 clear margins not obtained; SND 0/6 TAC chemo completed 6/21 bilateral mastectomy 7/25
|
|
arabella
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 28 2013
Location: Alabama
Status: Offline
Points: 288
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Apr 27 2013 at 1:57am |
Jude, glad you got thru your biopsy without problems and I'm hoping that the results confirm a hemangioma.
Wishing you peace, Kaye
|
Dx TNBC 1/2013; age 63; 1.1 cm; Stage 1, Grade 1(?); lumpectomy clear margins; ALND -; severe SEs to first TC and treatment stopped; radsX25; BRCA - Recur 6/2015 Mastectomy
|
|
Jude
Groupie
Joined: Feb 17 2013
Location: Maryland
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 01 2013 at 7:15pm |
Well today was the first bit of good news I've received since my gynecologist found my lump in November. I had the liver biopsy last friday and the pathology report came back benign. It was a hemangioma and they will be keeping an eye on it. I feel like I dodged a bullet. I know I still have a long road ahead but feel much more optimistic that I'm going to fight this disease. After all the worry this past week, returning to my chemo regimen (3 more treatments left) with bilateral mastectomies to follow seems doable. Wishing good news for everyone out there who's still waiting to hear. Thanks for all the support. This forum is invaluable. -Judy
|
Dx TNBC 1/20/13; age 60 BRCA-, 4.7 cm, stage 2A, grade 2 lumpectomies 1/24/13 and 2/15/13 clear margins not obtained; SND 0/6 TAC chemo completed 6/21 bilateral mastectomy 7/25
|
|
overwhelmed
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 06 2010
Location: Greenville, SC
Status: Offline
Points: 490
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 01 2013 at 7:44pm |
Judy, That's great news. It's always so good to hear that what we are sure is bad isn't what we think it is. Lori
|
DX ILC TNBC 3/10 at 50, Stage IIb; Grade 3; 5.1 to 7 cm,SNB neg;TC-6 rnds, 30 rads, Avastin-18 rnds, BRAC 1&2-
|
|
123Donna
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 24 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Status: Offline
Points: 13509
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 01 2013 at 8:10pm |
Judy,
So glad the biopsy turned out benign. Sending you a big hug!
Donna
|
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09) 11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
|
|
Lillie
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 10 2009
Location: Eastern NC
Status: Offline
Points: 3616
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 01 2013 at 8:38pm |
Sleep well tonight Judy. That is wonderful news about the liver bioposy.
Yes, the treatments and surgery IS DOABLE and you are not alone. You have an army of women here to let you know that WE UNDERSTAND.
Love and God Bless,
Lillie
|
Dx 6/06 age 65,IDC-TNBC Stage IIb,Gr3,2cm,BRCA- 6/06 L/Mast/w/SNB,1of3 Nodes+ 6/06 Axl. 9 nodes- 8/8 thru 11/15 Chemo (Clin-Trial) DD A/Cx4 -- DD taxol+gemzar x4 No Rads. No RECON - 11/2018-12 yrs NED
|
|
katiedidit
Newbie
Joined: Apr 14 2013
Location: Boston region
Status: Offline
Points: 11
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: May 03 2013 at 8:52am |
Thank you, Jude for posting your story so far. As another newbie, I appreciate the info and the wisdom in the responses you received. Please keep posting along the line. Best wishes from the bottom of my heart.
|
|