Now What?
Once you have received a diagnosis, it is time to act fast. Your doctor will order the panel of tests needed to give your disease a stage and a treatment plan. These can include a CT scan, a bone scan, a PET scan, lymph node biopsies, and blood work. This will tell your doctors whether the disease has spread to your lymph nodes or to other parts of the body.
Treatment plans are tailored to the type of cancer, the stage, and other variables. In most cases, treatment for inflammatory cancers will include:
- Surgery, to remove all cancerous tissues
- Radiation, a type of treatment that uses high energy rays of light and heat to kill cancerous cells
- Chemotherapy, which is a cocktail of drugs that kill abnormal cells preferentially
It is normal for people who get a diagnosis to be extremely scared. You may have a wide range of emotions including depression and answer as well. Many of the treatments are painful and inconvenient. It is important that you get the support you need. In addition to asking loved ones for support, there are many support groups and specialized forms of therapy for people with serious illnesses. These can also help you learn more about different treatment options and ways of coping.
Although the emotions can be difficult, it is crucial that you get early diagnosis and treatment. Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly. This will give you the best possible chance of beating IBC and moving on with your life intact.
