I went to see the specialist again today, 9th November 2018, and he told me that the thin-needle biopsy and the provisional results of the ultrasound-guided core biopsy confirmed his initial diagnosis: I have a fast-growing cancer in my right breast with an approximate size of 41mm. Although I check regularly he said that the soft texture of the tumour and the speed of its growth would undoubtedly explain why I hadn’t noticed it earlier. A slow-growing cancer typically doubles its cell count in about 6 months while a fast growing one would see the same growth in 30 days.
He gave me a simplified explanation of the complex biological systems that underlie the development of the various types of breast cancer and the treatments which might be appropriate for each. He felt that the most likely pathway would be for me to have a course of chemotherapy at two- or maybe three-weekly intervals over a period of 5 months. That would be expected to shrink the tumour to a size where lumpectomy surgery would be sufficient rather than a far more invasive mastectomy and reconstruction.
Unfortunately the chemotherapy is likely to give me same the side effects that most people suffer: The full list of possibilities covers six sides of A4 paper, but the most disturbing for me is the probable temporary loss of my hair.
Next week is going to be busy:
| Monday | PET scan (to check whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, or maybe further) |
| Tuesday | Pre-assessment and tour of the St Martha's Oncology Department |
| Wednesday | Wig consultation |
| Thursday | Appointment with a Consultant Clinical Oncologist, when I should find out the full biopsy results and get confirmation of the exact course of treatment. Also, the insertion of a marker coil (the location of the shrunken tumour will otherwise be hard to see when I am ready for surgery) |
| Friday | First chemotherapy session |