Need help for my sister in law

txorchid

My 44 year old sister in law was diagnosed with IDC last month.  Unfortunately, she is living abroad and chose to have treatment abroad.  I have some diagnostic information:  ER 3+, PgR 3+, Ki-67 2+, c-erb-B2 negative, P-53 negative.  The lab report says "Infiltrating nests of malignant ductal epithelial cells (IDC) are seen in dense fibrous tissue stroma of fibrocystic breast tissue.  Moderate nuclear pleomorphism of the malignant cells is seen.  Invasion of tumour cells is also present at adjacent fibroadipose tissue of the mass.  Intraductal carcinoma (DCIS) is seen as well as perineural invasion.  Angiolymphatic invasion is not seen.  Surgical margins are not assessable.  Diagnosis:  Invasive ductal carcinoma with DCIS, grade 2.  The tissues measures 1.2x.7x.7 to 2x1.8.x1.2 cm.  Her doctor took out some surrounding tissue and gave her 10 days of brachytherapy (radiation).  He looked at her lymph nodes visually and said they looked fine and did not test them.  He said they do that in the US typically but he didn't think she needed them out.  I am concerned for her.  Can anyone shed some light on what her prognosis is and should she see another doctor if she comes to the states?  I have also read that if you had radiation, it excludes you from having a sentinal node biopsy.  I have tried calling doctors to get an opinion and they say they can't give one without a lymph node biopsy.  Feel like I am running in circles.  Please help anyone!  Thanks.

Annabella58

I would be concerned also about not checking the lymph nodes.  No, radiation has no effect on sentinel nodes, I had one sentinel node out (negative), radiation txtmnts, another primary, then another two nodes out and tested.  I also had IDC.

It sounds from this sort of like she has two areas?  I have not heard of checking lymph nodes visually, but this may be OK?

If she comes to the states, yeah, I'd encourage her to bring the reports, have some nodes checked and get a second opinion.  At least she has had radiation so far and the tumors don't sound very large, altho maybe diffuse?  It's so hard to read these things.

People do have surgery in other countries and do well, so I would suspect that her care if probably good?  How about your own onc?  Can he help you or do you know a GP who might be able to advise you on this?  At least they could translate the path report?

Good luck!