Topic: Mucinous Carcinoma of the breast

Apr 23, 2009 04:53PM Mykidsmom wrote:

Peggy - A very close friend of mine was about your age and pre-menopausal two years ago when she was also dx'd w/ the same type of bc. She is doing fine today. She tells me that it is a very slow growing and generally relatively stable type of bc. She felt fortunate that she had that type. She also did not lose her breast, she had a lumpectomy. I hope this helps a little. I know all this is quite hard to deal w/ at first. Gentle hugs going your way my dear. - Jean

May 1, 2009 08:10AM Sphynx wrote:

For being so rare, I just ran into two posts.  I'll repeat what I put on the other.

I had invasive mucinous carcinoma. It is rare and this board doesn't even have an option to input it as one of the types. I'm a six year survivor and I've been around bc.org for most of those 6 years. There are actually many of us that have that diagnosis. I quit keeping track of the names many years ago. You read and hear that it has the best prognosis. Mine was invasive and grade 3 so I had surgeries, chemo and radiation.

PA - I was also pre-menopausal, diagnosed at 49. 

Jul 11, 2009 11:26AM saraand45 wrote:

I was 45 last July when I was diagnosed with Mucinous Carcinoma.  I am always trolling to find more info on this type. Maybe there should be a forum for rare types of a BC,  because there are a few types and I am sure alot of women like me are looking for more info and to connect with others with our same type of BC.

Tina

Jul 18, 2009 02:33PM rjwax wrote:

I was Dx with mucinous type IDC on June 8th 2009, I am 36. Clinical staging is Stage 2, 2.2cm, had lumpectomy, SNB and axillary dissection on July 13 (five days ago).  Wating for final path report, so do not know yet if pure mucinous type or mixed.

 Indeed there is not much info specific to this type of tumor, but from what I have found, it is a form of IDC but with some more favorable characteristics. If I can recall where I saw the info, I will post. 

At diagnosis, surgeon presented favorable aspects of this type first, so it is certainly something that stuck in my mind. When I met with a med onc pre-op, I really had to push him about the options with this possibly more favorable tumor type. He was all about how agressive Rx usually is for women <40, because tumors are often more agressive. Asked about role of Oncotype DX if node negative, necessity of chemo, etc. I am interested in preserving my fertility as well. Doc did mention that if tumor is mixed type, the favorbale aspects of mucinous type are more or less out of the running.  Of course all this remains to be determined and I am trying not to be too anxious about it! Although I have to think the the pre-surg and pre-path period is absolutely the worst. Each step that has given me more information and a plan of action has been so incredibly helpful to my mental health. 

Despite the lower chances of node involvement with mucinous type, ended up with SNB and axillary dissection because I had some "prominent" nodes on bilateral MRI. Was then sent for a fine needle aspiration of lymph nodes that was inconclusive (argh!). During surgery one of two SNB nodes "grumpy" (my term) so they did proceed to dissection, and a few of those nodes looked grumpy too. Still holding out hope that they were just grumpy and doing their job and do not have tumor cells in there. 

Hang in there, 

Rachel

Aug 28, 2009 08:04PM rjwax wrote:

I ended up with lymph node involvement, so although the tumor retained its mucinous characteristics throughout as far as I can tell, I still have to have chemo.  it is still invasive ductal canrcinoma with lymph node involvement- 3 of 22. Final size from lumpectomy was 3cm. bummer for me.I will also get rads after chemo since I had a lumpectomy.

A sample of my tumor was sent for a test that is like oncotype dx that they are currently trying to validate for early stage BC with lymph node involvement. I have not gotten the results yet, but it will not change my treatment. But will give me an additional sense about risk of recurrence, I guess. 

Sep 3, 2009 06:28PM sdrayton wrote:

Hello, ladies.

I feel like I must add my history, as I didn't fit the profile of a "typical" mucinous carcinoma patient, either.

I was diagnosed at 31 with a 6cm, stage 3 tumor. I completed neo-adjuvant chemo (CAF) which shrunk the little sucker significantly for a lumpectomy, then had taxotere and rads, followed by 5 years of tamoxifen which I will complete in a couple of months. I'm 37 now. Apparently, the mucinous variety does tend to respond better to adriamycin and cytoxan, so, although it's a rare cancer type, our prognoses tend to be better.

Chemo was definitely brutal, but it was doable. I just had an oncology checkup yesterday and am doing fine.

I wish you all well.

Oct 24, 2009 02:58PM hymil wrote:

Girls, your stories are very encouraging :) Thankyou!

Im so glad to find this site because nobody round here seems to have heard of mucinous cancer and it has been hard to find any information since I was diagnosed last week.

My lump is oestrogen positive and I have been started on tamoxifen to make it smaller before they discuss surgery, am waiting very anxiously for results of CT scan looking for secondaries but what I've read says they are less likely than with other sorts of tumour? I don't want to get into chemo or big reconstruction stuff but so far not sure what my options will be. This waiting is hard isn't it!

Nov 29, 2009 06:06PM hymil wrote:

Well no secondaries found on CT so that's very good but i have to wait till the new year to talk about surgery. I'm finding that very stressful as I'm walking round with a 6cm cancerous lump and nothing seems to be happening!

So now Im wondering, am I over-reacting being hormonal because of the tamoxifen or am I just stressed because i have cancer or is it the time-of-the-year?

Dec 6, 2009 07:50PM hymil wrote:

You're very welcome here Raili Good luck on your journey.

Jan 12, 2010 06:05PM Raili wrote:

Hi, Pudding.  Just found this post.  "Welcome" to the forum (it's hard to REALLY welcome anyone - none of us should have cancer/be here!)

How are things going for you know?  Where are you at in this journey?  How did it go when you visited that other cancer center for another opinion?

 I just had my supposedly-mucinous tumor removed a week ago, and am still waiting for the pathology report that will say whether it was actually mucinous or a different type with "mucinous features"... oh, waiting is HARD...

Jan 13, 2010 04:11AM Wizzy wrote:

Hello, I've just registered on this forum this morning and am pleased to find so much info on this type of cancer. Having had 2x surgery in 2008 for DCIS, I was offered a mastectomy/reconstruction. I stalled a bit and was sent for an MRI which came back clear. I had mammo/ultrasound and another clear MRI in June 2009(a "tiny mass" was detected but deemed harmless). My most recent mammo was just before Christmas, followed by a biopsy on New Years Eve. On Monday afternoon the consultant told me it was "not good news but not a death sentence". It seems the "mass" is mucinous carcinoma and has grown from 5mm to 7mm in the course of 6months.(so, still very small)

I was again offered mastectomy/reconstruction OR a lumpectomy with node biopsy & radiotherapy. I have a great consultant and breast care nurse and they feel that either option would be equally suitable at this point. So, I currently have the less radical option booked for 4th Feb.

My husband knows (tho', if I could have got away with it, I wouldn't have told him) but I have yet to tell my 2 adult sons and my mum (who I know will be upset but will give all the love and support anyone could) I went into work straight after seeing the consultant and told them I was "fine" but will have to speak with my manager on Friday &, apart from a couple of close colleagues, I dont plan on telling anyone else there.

Sorry, this is a bit long-winded, waffling and "me" orientated. I'd like to thank all you other ladies for sharing and wish you well with whatever diagnosis/treatment you're dealing with.

Jan 13, 2010 12:25PM Wizzy wrote:

Thanks Raili

Sorry to hear you have to go back for more surgery.... and you are so young to have to be dealing with this stuff... best wishes to you for your 2nd surgery - I hope that all goes well and gives the results you want!. When I had my first, they just took a couple of ducts but then felt they should take more. Luckily, both healed really well and I really cant see where the incisions were. I was quite surprised to be offered a lumpectomy with node biopsy once it was "real" cancer when they'd talked of mastectomy after DCIS but I s'pose its the type/size/early detection. I dont like the sound of stuff I've read on here about radiotherapy so will have lots of questions for the breast care nurse on that one!!

Take care

Jan 16, 2010 11:48PM Aliceann wrote:

So glad I found this discussion group.  It is difficult to find information about mucinous breast cancer.  I have been dealing with this for eight years and am Stage IV Grade 3.  First of all, it is apparent to me that the young ages of the women posting here is significant and the latest news about the difficulty in diagnosing from mammograms is not a surprise to me.  I had been religious in having a mammogram done yearly and never had a doubt all was well.  By the time it broke through the fat pad, it was 5 cm.  Although everyone claims it was slow growing, I believe that the tumor grew rapidly after diagnosis.  It required a mastectomy and there was extensive lymph node involvement on the left side.  Chemo, Rad., Taxol, and I was back in business thinking this is what was needed to repair the damage of the cancer.  About a year later, I had reconstruction on the breast and started to feel good about myself.  Within seven months, I had a recurrence on my right side based on a suspicious lymph node in a CT scan.  Onc and surgeon felt there would be no problem, but we decided a surgical biopsy just in case.  Went to sleep and woke up hearing a nurse talk about getting a bed for me.  Huh? I said, "Why do I need a bed?"  The right side was loaded with involvement of cancer in the lymph system.  More chemo and radiation at the same time.  SEs were very bad and I ended up with a frozen shoulder in the process and serious lymphedema as well.  I have since had two small contained recurrences in the reconstructed left breast which the surgeon removed easily.  Right now, I have gone 3-1/2 years without a recurrence, which is pretty good.  I am on Herceptin, once every three weeks and Femara once a day to try to keep this in check.  So far...So good!  I am not trying to pop anyone's balloon, but be vigilant.  

Jan 25, 2010 09:58AM - edited Jan 25, 2010 09:59AM by Zhel

Happy New Year to all. Thanks for the information, as this forum is really helpful for those who seek knowledge about this disease. I am overseas (Australia) and away from mom (in Philippines) now. I had a holiday last Christmas to visit my mom and siblings. First thing she mentioned to me, she felt this lump late last year and she wanted it check, so I seek advice from a doctor and recommended for a mammogram. When we had the result of mammogram, there's a breast mass of about 1cm and a sonogram/biopsy is recommended. She had biopsy last 11/01/2010 and we had the result just this afternoon. I am still shocked as I am not knowldgeable of the findings until I google the disease and jump onto this forum.

Diagnosis - MUCINOUS CARCINOMA & the description is Microscopic Sections show solid nests of tumor cells infiltrating the fibrous stroma. The cells show cytoplasmic pallor with sharply outlined cell borders. Other areas show well differentiated tumor cells floating in lake of mucins.

Her doctor advised for an immediate mastectomy but I am to seek for a second opinion before any treatment. I will decide tommorow as I need to contact my friend to assist her. I'm afraid and worried. It's hard when you're away (away to work to be able to support my family financially). Fingers crossed, God is with us! God bless everyone.

Jan 31, 2010 10:13PM Mari77 wrote:

Hi every one! I'm new to this site. I stumbled to this forum when I was diagnosed with mucinous carcinoma this year. I felt lump in my right breast and had it checked immediately last March. My doctor had me to have it ultrasound and fine needle biopsy was performed. It came out first as benign colloid in nature lump. As I am only 38, and the result said benign my doctor opted to observe it first. But tho it said benign and the lump is a little painful during my menstrual period after two more appointments, I asked the doctor to have it remove once in for all as it increased my anxiety whenever I felt it. He excised it last week of December and the specimen was sent for histopath. Lo and behold it came out as Mucinous carcinoma....It was like being kicked in the gut to be diagnosed as breast cancer when all the while we all thought it was benign??. Anyways, two weeks ago, I returned to OR to have wide excision and axillary clearance. Margins were clear and no mets to the lymph nodes thank God. Now got this very sore armpit which looks deep, maybe coz the wound was still a little swollen. Got the stitches removed yesterday and was advised to move the arm and exercise it. The arm is painful to move and heavy but I'm trying to do housework minus heavy lifting on the affected arm. Going to see my oncologist today! Wish me luck, hope he will not suggest chemo coz my husband and I are still trying to get pregnant. Had miscarriage last year which soon after I discovered my lump.  I went through the phase which all of us probably did like disbelief, anger and acceptance. Now, I just live for the present and tries to live one day at a time....

Take care and may God bless us all!