April of 09 (First Diagnosed)

I was diagnosed April 16th with Breast Cancer, though I don't know much about it I am learning as I go. So bare with me if some of this doesn’t make since as I'm trying to make since of it myself. The type of breast cancer I have is an Invasive breast cancerInvasive (infiltrating) breast cancers spread outside the membrane that lines a duct or lobule, invading the surrounding tissues. The cancer cells can then travel to other parts of your body, such as the lymph nodes. (which is soon to be checked)Its full name is: Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC).it accounts for about 70 percent of all breast cancers (very treatable) The cancer cells form in the lining of your milk duct, then break through the ductal wall and invade nearby breast tissue. The cancer cells may remain localized — staying near the site of origin (which in my case it was, that was the HUGE lump I was talking about. it was a little bigger than a golf ball, but the actual size of the tumor itself was 3cm. Or it can spread (metastasize) throughout your body, carried by your bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Next... They grade tumors, yes just like in School and nothing has changed for me... I have the bad grade. Here is the chart..Tumor gradeIf the cancer is an invasive type, the pathologist assigns it a grade. The grade is based on how closely cells in the sample tissue resemble normal breast tissue under the microscope. The grading information, along with the cell type, helps your doctor determine treatment options.
Breast cancers are graded on a 1 to 3 scale:
■Grade 1. The cells still look fairly normal (well differentiated)
■Grade 2. The cells are somewhat abnormal (moderately differentiated).
■Grade 3. The cells have lost their proper structure and function (poorly differentiated).The pathologist determines the grade by looking at the size and shape of both the cell and its nucleus and counting how many cells are in the process of dividing. A higher grade suggests a faster growing cancer that's more likely to spread.
They also test for Hormone receptor status, which I have to do.. I will fill you in on that once we have word.
MUST HAVE TREATMENT: Well no matter what I decide to do with my boobs I do have to go through 6 weeks of Chemotherapy, which to the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill breast cancer cells. And to be prepared for the side effects:• Loss of appetite • Nausea and vomiting • Weakness and fatigue • Mouth soreness • Hair loss • Weight gain • Premature menopause • Lowered resistance to infections • TREATMENT OPTIONS:A re- excision (also known as clearing of the margins) & Radiation?Many studies have reviewed this approach for patients with invasive cancers. Nearly all show that the risk of relapse in the breast is much higher when radiation is not used (20 percent to 40 percent) than when it is (5 percent to 10 percent). Having breast cancer reappear in this way is a very traumatic event psychologically. Also, patients may need to have a mastectomy to be cured in this situation, so in more cases they may lose the breast than if they had undergone radiation therapy initially. Finally, not everyone who has a recurrence in the breast can be cured. (CAN NOT BE CURED!!!!)I'm young and I have to think long term here people!!! if I were thinking for the moment and what would be easier right now I would go with the re excision & radiation, but I don't EVER want to deal with this again and there is still a chance 5-10% but still a chance of a relapse...AND than I cant not be cured!!!* Women age 45 or younger at the time of treatment may have a slightly increased risk (by a few percent at most) of developing cancer of the other breast with time, compared with the risk they would have if they did not undergo radiation. There is a very small risk (perhaps one in 1,000 individuals) that cancers may develop five, 10, 20 or more years later in the skin, muscle, bone or lung directly in the area of treatment. Ummmm NO! if they are saying there is a chance (small risk) thats is not one that Im taking. ***OR***Do a Mastectomy on both my breast and have reconstructive surgery at the same time and than I will be 100% in clear no chances no risks!!!!!SO by the end of next week should know what road I want to take!Thanks for reading….. and I will you keep you posted!!!