deciphering tumor size...help!

Melissa1971

I was diagnosed w/ IDC about 2 weeks ago...had a lumpectomy last Wednesday (1/28) and go to see my surgeon tomorrow for pathology report, etc.

The sentinal node biopsy came back clean as did my margins.

My question is my tumor was estimated to be 2.3 cm from MRI, but the nurse at my surgeons office gave me exact measurments which were: 1.8 x 1.8 x 1.5

Does anybody know what this means? Is it under 2 cm in total? I know my dr will tell me all the details tomorrow, but you ladies are amazing w/ your knowledge. Please let me know...this entire experience has been shocking...as I am sure most if you can understand.

Thanks!

prayrv

Melissa,

First - sorry that no one has responded to your post.

Second - I believe that it would be measured as under 2cm.

Let us know what your doctor tells you. 

Gentle Hugs,

Trish

otter

Melissa, I'm not sure I understand the question.  The important measurement with respect to tumor size is the "greatest diameter".

Your MRI measurement was an estimate of the greatest diameter, based on the image the radiologist saw.  Treatment is based on the actual size, though, which can only be determined by taking the tumor out and measuring it in the pathology lab.  It's not unusual for the size to be different on a mammogram or ultrasound or MRI image, than it is in real life.

Apparently, the nurse was giving you the actual measurements from the pathology report.  Tumors are 3-dimensional (of course), which is why there are 3 numbers.  The most important number among the 3 is the largest one, because it represents the "greatest diameter".  So, the size of your tumor (its greatest diameter) was estimated to be 2.3 cm on MRI, but was actually 1.8 cm.  That means it was less than 2 cm.

Does that make sense?

otter 

MicheleS

The measurement for staging is usually the largest listed in the path report.  So... for you... I'd guess 1.8.  MRI's frequently OVER-estimate size so that would fit.

Melissa1971

I had my follow up appt. w/ the surgeon today. He also said the tumor measured at 1.8 cm

and w/ no lymph node involvement and clean margins he put me at stage 1...which relieves me.

I will still have chemo and radiation as part of my treatment plan as an "insurance" the cancer doesn't retur. The tumor was also listed as high grade.

bre

Hi Melissa.  Glad you are feeling better about things.  My tumor was 1.7cm, no nodes involved, clean margins, put me at stage 1 also.  Mine was high grade and aggressive also.  I am doing great 5 years later and no sign of recurrence.  Hope you have the same luck.  brenda

Melissa1971

I am feeling much relief, but I still have to shack the constant fear and doubt. Is it normal to feel subtle pain all the time all over your body...I am still scared they missed something and cancer is in my bones, etc. or is it phantom pain caused by nerves. I am a pretty stable person, but this whole expereince has really thrown me for a loop! I hope the oncologist I meet w/ next week can put some of these fears to rest. At my stage do they typically do bone scans, etc. to check for spreading?

bre

Hugs Melissa,  It's only natural that this has thrown you for a loop.  Try not to be too scared of everything you notice.  It gets easier once you start getting some positive checkups.  I go by the 2 week rule.  If a symptom lasts more than 2 weeks, I go to the dr.  Most things are gone by then and turn out to be nothing.  Oncs are all different.  my onc did chest x-rays every 3 months and cat scans every 6 months for the first year and then cat scans every 6 months for another year.  He didn't do other tests unless I had symptoms that needed checking out.  Some oncs will do tumor markers but they can have many false positives so some don't do them.  pet scans are expensive so they usually aren't done unless indicated.  Ask your onc next week what his usual protocol is.  Remember to breathe!  Brenda

Melissa1971

Hi Ladies,

I had a good weekend and tried not to think about cancer very much, but then Monday came and I am back to feeling sick with worry. I am so scared I will die from this. I am scared the cancer spread, I am scared of the thought of leaving my children and husband, I am simply petrified. I honestly hope everytime the phone rings and it's a dr calling they are calling to tell me its been a big mistake and then it never happens and I feel sick to my stomach.

mzmiller99

Hi,  Meliss -

OK - go in a closet or outside and scream until you're empty.  Then, when you breathe back in, visualize calming and healing going back through your body.  See yourself in control of  your body.  Visualize little brooms sweeping through your body, busily cleaning out anything that doesn't belong. 

My daughter, Melissa, told me I should invite the cancer cells to move out - not with anger, but with conviction! The anger wasn't making my life any easier, but "conviction" made me feel as though I was in charge.

You are at the awful limbo stage of knowing that you have cancer, but not yet in the medical fight of chemo and rads.  Once that starts, you become so wrapped up in the treatment, that you start to relax somewhat.  There are so many people looking out for you, caring for you, giving you strength.

 Very good news that you have no node involvement!  Very little chance that it has spread!  Woo Hooo! 

 I spent many hours researching on this site and many others when I was first dx and I always fixated on the stage ones who didn't make it.  I was certain I would be one of those.  You can always find a few exceptions to the rule; however, that's just what they are  - exceptions. 

You will make it.  Let yourself break down, rant, rave, stuff yourself with dark chocolate (or whatever tastes good), take a hot, bubbly bath...anything that gives you comfort.  Plan to cry a lot.  Anytime.  Anywhere.  It's all part of the new package deal we call cancer.

Keep coming here.  You'll find many wonderful sisters who can guide you through the worst of it.  Who can hold you.  Cry with you.  Make you laugh.  Understand your fears.  All for the click of your mouse!!

 Take good care of your self and remember - you will get through this.  You have no choice but to fight your hardest - you have too many people depending on you.

Susan

Melissa1971

Thank you for the encouraging responses. Although it's been one month since my dx I think in some ways I am still in some state of shock over this. I do believe, deep down in my heart, that everything will be okay, but I also feel an overwhelming sense of fear right now. I have a great support system and for that I am truly grateful. I appreciate all of you who take the time to read my posts and respond and share your success stories. I will go to the oncologist on Wednesday and I hope to feel more empowered after hearing her discuss my particular situation in detail. I'll keep you posted.