Lymph Node Involvement! Please help.

belchepb

My mom was diagnosed with IDC .7 mm tumor.  Grade 3. Er+Pr+ Her2Neu-.  Upper outer quadrant.  She is having a lympectomy and SNB on Monday.  Anyone know the chance of lymph node involvement. 

Does the grade and location make it more likely for the lymph nodes to be involved?

Thanks.

GirlFriday

I don't think size or location has anything to do with it...For instance I had a 2.5 cm lump (quite a lot larger than her's)  They biopsy showed that it was In Situ, and then the actual surgery said that it was invasive.  I'm so pleased that I requested a SNB as part of my surgery because it showed that although my cancer was invasive, it was not yet into my lymph nodes.  If I hadn't had the SNB, I would have had to go back into surgery to find that out. I don't think there is any way to determine node involvement with out removal.  This is a really tough time for you, I know. Just buckle down, breathe, simplify your days as much as possible and you will make it through. 

ProudMom_Wife

belchepb - There is a nomogram at Memorial Sloan Kettering you might try

www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/15938.cfm

peggy_j

I don't think the location makes a difference--all the ducts needs to drain somewhere.  When doing my research I ran across a chart that showed the statistical correlation between the size of the tumor and the lymph node involvement. For very small tumors (like your mom's) it was much less likely to have lymph nodes involved (though unfortunately, not impossible).  I agree with GirlFriday. This is a difficult time, especially waiting for these details. That's good advice to breathe and stay in the moment. Maybe you can take your mom out for some "distraction therapy" this weekend.  Good luck to both you and her!

edwards750

I can attest size doesnt have anything to do with it. I had 2 small tumors but a cell did break away and even though it was a micromet, ended up in the SN. When the Path report came back my BS was surprised about the node involvement but he did say the tumors were smaller than first thought. Still I immediately became a Stage 2 patient instead of l. It was really scary knowing a cell had broken loose. I did have the Oncotype test and my score came back 11 with a non-aggressive cancer. So, at least I have something positive. It is hard to relax but give it a try. We all know how you feel and remember breast cancer isnt the death sentence anymore. Good luck and keep us posted. Diane