Undetermined cancer cells in lymph nodes

carcharm

Undetermined cancer cells in lymph nodes

carcharm

I'm a newly dx DCIS with microinvasion. I had a mastectomy  7/9 with 2 lymph nodes removed. On gross exam of the lymph nodes "no cancer noted." Today I went in for my follow up and to receive the path report. However, it was not available and the only information the surgeon had is that there are some "spots" in the lymph nodes that may be cancer cells but the pathologist was unable to determine if they were without doing more tests. Can anyone tell me what type of tests they might be doing? Has this happened to anyone else?

Also, my cancer was found in the lower inner quandrant of the left breast. Some of the research I've done indicates that when the cancer is located here there is an increased risk of dying quicker because of the close proximity to the internal mammary lymph node chains. Since biopsy of the lymph nodes under the sternum is quite invasive suregeons generally don't do them and do not consider this standard practice. Is there anyone out there with cancer located in this location? My surgeon would not do a biopsy of these nodes and said I would need a thoracic surgeon to get it done. The waiting is rough!!

Carcharm

carcharm

I know that the DCIS i have is comedo type - grade 3. I know this is a more aggressive type which may account for the micromets. The only path results I have are from the core biopsy which indicated the tumor was small <1mm with .1mm microinvasion but obviously, if the cells have spread, it doesn't take much. Thanks for sharing your experience.