What is Lymphovascular invasion??

B123

Is this a test done to check lymph nodes during surgery???  My MRI did not say I had this?!!

Anonymous

I believe it is what a pathologist determines by examining a physical sample of tissue after an excisional biopsy or mastectomy.  

B123

So this is just a standard test during a masectomy..?  THANK YOU SUSANSGARDEN!

edwh001

Hi B123 I had vascular invasion too and I'm still cancer free 5 years this month.  Yes I think it is something the pathologist  do.

Emmy 

Anonymous

I believe so.  First time I saw it mentioned was on my pathology report from my mastectomy.  

From Susan Love's website:

When a pathologist examines tissue removed during a lumpectomy or mastectomy, one of the things she looks to see is whether cancer cells are present in any of the blood vessels or lymphatic vessels. If they are, it is referred to as vascular invasion, lymphatic invasion, or lymphovascular invasion (LVI).

A woman can have lymphovascular invasion but not have positive lymph nodes. This could be because the invasion hasn't spread to the lymph nodes or because it has bypassed the nodes and moved on to other areas of the body.

When LVI is present, doctors assume this means that the cancer has acquired the genetic mutation it needs to create its own blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis. Because a tumor that has the ability to create its own blood vessels may have already begun to spread cancer cells to other parts of the body, the presence of LVI is an indicator that treatment should most likely include chemotherapy or hormone therapy (if the tumor is hormone sensitive).

B123

So it can be present even if you are ER+?  And it can be treated without chemo?  Did either of you have Chemo??   they say this is a slow and well behaved 1.7cm tumor with calcifications all over.  But not showing any spreading to anywhere per MRI.  very worried!

Anonymous

Yes it can be present if you are ER+.  Since you are ER+, I'm assuming you will be getting the oncotype test (testing on your tumor after surgery)?  Many oncologist consider this a great new tool in determining whether chemo will be of benefit in early stage, ER+ BC patients.

My doctor considered me borderline for chemo because of my "young" age (43) and higher proliferation rate (the % of my cancer cells that were actively dividing).  My oncotype score came back as 15 (the high end of low) which meant that he felt strongly saying that chemo would be of no benefit to me...that Tamoxifen would be my drug of choice.  So I did not do chemo. 

edwh001

I had chemo, my tumor was 1.7 cm, my onc recommended that I do chemo then tamoxifen. I have not had any problems from the tamoxifen except hot flashes and will finish up this Nov. I also did well on chemo I was givin Emend to take the first 3 days of every treatment and never got sick, I was weak and had nausea but it was nothing like I have seen some go through.

Good luck

Emmy