Still looking for medullary sisters...

MsBliss

Has anyone been told that their tumor had medullary features?  I was told that but have gotten very non specific answers to what it might implicate.  Some say favorable, some say it matters NOT!  Anyone?

chumfry

My 2005 tumor was deemed to be medullary. In general, I think medullary is a variety of triple-neg BC that grows very fast, but doesn't tend to travel as easily. I think it's surrounded by a coating of white cells that tend to keep it localized. The treatment was no different than for IDC.

I got BC in my other breast in 2007, but it was IDC, so the onc called it a new primary. Apparently had nothing to do with the first tumor. In my mind, medullary features are more of a good thing than a bad thing. But I may be working off old info.

--CindyMN

Traci-----TripNeg

Hi Ms. Bliss,

I didn't know what you were talking about, so I Googled it. I didn't find anything scary and I found this: "Medullary carcinoma of the breast is a variant of breast cancer. These tumors have a similar presentation to other breast cancers but are distinguished by a characteristic histologic appearance. In addition, pure medullary carcinomas have a better prognosis than usual cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma."

Hugs girl,

Traci

PS: Hi Cindy!!!!!!!

chumfry

Hey Traci! Nice to "see" you!

Morgan513

I'm medullary too.  I was dx last year.  Stage 2a, N0, M0.  I had TC x4 and I am on the bisphosphonate trial.  Oh yes, lumpectomy with radiation.

 Allegedly, medullary is very sensitive to chemotherapy which is a good thing.  I don't think my treatment plan was any different from regular IDC.  Dana Farber said it is a good thing.

 Lorrie