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Biopsy results

Valsy
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Hi. I've just been diagnosed and am waiting for biopsies to come back. I had 2 biopsies for 3inch mass on one breast mammogram and ultrasound. Lymph nodes are showing normal he said. On ultra sound they found a 4 mm mass which also has had biopsy and a marker put in. The consultant has also confirmed the large one is cancer and he will do mastectomy but he said I won't need radiotherapy or chemo which I find really strange. He was just so matter a fact and confident I came out on a high but now what he is suggesting sounds a bit oversimplified.   I have not slept since not even for an hour. My mind is racing and not due to get results until next Monday. He did say I may or may not need sone chemo to shrink the tumour which is about the only thing that makes sense and I'm fed up googling. Please please help. Thanks x

  • Hello Valsy and thanks for posting, 

    I am sorry to learn about your recent diagnosis and can understand this is a difficult time. 

    Treatment for breast cancer can vary as it depends on the biological features of the disease which are found out from looking at the tissue biopsy and also the size of the cancer. So at this point the surgeon may not be sure exactly what will be recommend by the NHS multidisciplinary team (MDT). The MDT is made of of different health professional including specialists from different medical backgrounds who have expertise in treating a particular condition and come together to review cases and recommend treatment. 

    Treatment for breast cancer is usually about removing the cancer from the breast, assessing lymph nodes in the armpit and sometimes treating them too, and also giving one or more treatments that travel around the body. One of these body wide treatments is chemotherapy, but there are others, for example hormone therapy which is only given when a breast cancer is hormone sensitive. Sometimes women only have hormone therapy.

    Sometimes chemotherapy is given before surgery to shrink a cancer so that breast conserving surgery is an option. Radiotherapy is usually given as part of a breast conserving approach to treat the rest of the breast after a lumpectomy to remove the cancer. After a mastectomy radiotherapy often isn't needed although sometimes it is.  

    Because breast cancer treatment is tailored, it isn't possible to say exactly how you will be treated at the moment. If you want to look into different treatment options you can go to our website at this link,  but this may not help all that much. Sometimes you are better off sitting tight and waiting until you know what you will be having and them looking it up.   

    It might be worth knowing about another charity Breast Caner Now who offer a range of support services. 

    Feel free to give us a ring if you want to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here weekdays from 9-5.

    Best wishes,

    Julia

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