Please help what does this mean?

lisakaden

I am reading my Mom's path report (before surgery report) and I am not clear of what some this means. The report says: NeedleCore Biopsy

A) Adenocarcinoma infiltrating duct type. Is that Invasive?

Nottingham histologic score 9/9 Grade III poorly differentiated infiltrating carcinoma

Venous/Lymphatic Invasion : Present This is the one that throws me, because Mom had surgery Masectomy left breast Thursday and the Dr was very; pleased due to the neg sent node and one other node. Yet this report says present. The Dr has been on vacation,however, we have an appointment tommorow, I am just trying to get some feedback from you wonderful ladies on what to expect and what to ask. The doc seemed to thing all went great with the surgery, so this befor surgery path report confuses me regarding present in venous.

Thank you so much

Lisa

Tamara67646

Lisa,

Very sorry to hear that your Mom is having to join the BC club.  There are a few regulars on these boards who are great at explaining the tecnical aspects of the pathology report and I am sure they will be along shortly to give you a more thorough answer that I can.  But here is what I can tell you about your questions:

Infilitrating is just another way of saving invasive - so it does sound like your Mom has IDC.

Nottingham score:  this is a system to evaluate the aggressiveness of the tumor.  There are 3 characterstics that they look at and give a score of 1-3 to each and then total the score.  Mitosis, tublar differentiation and darn it - I can't recall the 3rd. 

Veneous/Lymphatic invasion:  Cancer can spread through your lymphatic system or through your blood system.  Even with negative nodes, they can tell if there was a blood supply to the tumor indicating a risk that cells could have escaped that way as well.  It is not uncommon for there to be venous or lymphatic invasion present but it does raise the risk of re-occurance.

You can also check out the other resources on this site beyond the discussion boards.  There is a great section on understanding your pathology report.

Hope your Mom recovers quickly from her surgery and responds well to whatever treatment choices she makes. 

Tamara 

lisakaden

Thanks Tamara it is all so confusing and scary, Lisa