infiltrating ductal carcinoma

A quick recap...

My mom was recently diagnosed with Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. There are two tumors in her right breast, above and away from the nipple. The larger of the two (9mm) is in-situ, grade 2 of 3. The smaller (5mm) is infiltrating, and also given a grade 2 of 3. Of course we'll have a better idea what's what after her lumpectomy, and after they sample her right lymph node.

She is scheduled for a lumpectomy next week. Her PCP told her not to contact an oncologist until after that. Does that sound like normal procedure to you all? When I suggested she speak to an oncologist first she freaked out, and said she can't talk about this now. She would have to cancel her surgery because the earliest the oncologist could see her is the week after her surgery. Now I feel bad for making her upset.

Jasmine wrote << So far, so good. Mom's lumpectomy went well. >>

So glad to hear that. Thanks for keeping us posted. All the best to your mom!

[snip]

Thank you for sharing that Sandy. I will pass the information on to my mom.

So far, so good. Mom's lumpectomy went well. And her surgeon thinks chemo won't be needed. Of course, we'll wait and see what the oncologist has to say before we get super excited.
Thank you all for your support and advice,

Wouldn't one have to still get a auxillary dissection after the sentinel node biopsy as SN biopsy is still in the research stage, and has about a 30% margin for error?

Thank you so much Shaz. How sad to hear you were diagnosed so young, but I guess it sucks to be diagnosed at any age. My mom may have to go through chemo, but we'll have a better idea when she sees the oncologist next week.
Best wishes to you, as well...

Yes. That's how it worked for me, in Hawaii at least. It was SOP to have the surgeon and PCP involved pre-surgery, and the oncologist not come in until after the surgery. Until all the characteristics of your mom's cancer are quantified, there's not much use in seeing the oncologist.

[snip]

Hi Sandy. I agree that it's probably standard procedure, but I forgot to mention in my recap that my mom had questions regarding the slice of breast tissue they're going to be removing. If the doctor called it a lumpectomy why did he draw a slice or wedge that will be removed. My mom is concerned with what her breast will look like afterward. I worry when she asks me questions instead of her doctors, which is why I suggested she either get a second opinion, call the doctor who drew out the slice idea, or see an oncologist first.

You're probably right about not needing to see the oncologist until the tissue is excised. Her doctor was so nice, and kept repeating, 'if you have any questions, please call...' but she won't. I suggested that she find other newly diagnosed patients as well, so she sees she's not alone in this, but she won't. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Okay, I needed to do that

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe she is also getting the sentinel node biopsy. When I was reading about it in Dr. Love's book she was surprised it was even in there. She said it's a pretty recent procedure.

My doctor did a senitnel node in 12/2001, and it was still part of a clinical trial. I happened to be in the control gorup and had 9 nodes removed too.

Thank you, Kaye!!!

Thank you Catharine.