I need help undersanding reports please

Cindy-Rose

The Mammogram report says: Right breast Irregular dense mass measuring 3.9

US reposts: irregular hypervascular mass measuring 3.8x2.8x2.3cm also right axilla lymph node measuring 4.0cm

The cytology report says: Poorly differentiated Ductal Carcinoma

Pathology report: ER 14% of nuclei staining*-

PR 6% nulcei staining*

Ki-67 81% of nuclei staining- HER2 neg

Needle Cores Examined 8 Histopathologic Type, Ductal, positive E-Cadherin immunostain Histopathologic Grade 3

Mototic Rate 3,>16/10 hpf Tubule formation 3,absent

Extent of Involvment 6 of 8 , measuring 1.3cm in length,80% of speciman

Ductal/Lobular Carcinoma In Situ: Absent

microcalsifacations: Absent. Necrosis 15% of tumor

I had both a core biopsy done on my right breast and a needle biopsy on the lymph nodes. I was told that we won't know how far it's spread till more tests and surgery are done. There are two tumors in lymph nodes as well as the one in my right breast. I have all the Mamo and US and surgical pathology reports if more info is needed...this just looked like the most important info to me. I'm just hoping that someone can help me figure it all out. The BS just kept saying she was sorry.

chrissyb

Hi Cindy-Rose sorry you need to be here but welcome anyway.  Your Dx line is correct as you have written it but your BS is correct in saying the Stage would not be known until after surgery.  It is after surgery and other scans that they are able to examine the extent of the tumour and whether it has spread outside the breast or not.  These are all factors to the staging process.  He is not willing to say until further testing because you had 6/8 nodes positive.

The fact that you are ER/PR+ wil give you a lot more choices when it comes to your treatment.  When are you due to have the other scans ordered and do you have a surgery date yet? 

I understand that the position you find yourself is really hard to get through right now and you are still feeling numb from the Dx but  believe me when I say that things will start to move a bit quicker when all the data is in.  We are here for you anytime you need to ask a question or just want someone to talk to.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

CoolBreeze

You have invasive ductal carcinoma; hypervascular means there are blood vessels feeding it.  It looks like you might ER positive if the 10% cutoff still exists.  Your Ki-67 and the fact that it is Grade 3 indicates that it is faster growing.  You know it's spread to the lymph nodes.  You are HER2 negative, which is great.

Basically that's it.  Until they take it out, they won't know for absolute sure the size of the mass.  You could be Stage III.

I'm not a doctor so it's possible I've misread. 

Moderators

Cindy Rose, this section, Your Diagnosis, from the main Breastcancer.org site will take you through explanations of each line of your report, and will help you to understand all the information you'll receive as you proceed through more tests and treatments. I'm sorry you're having to go through this, but you'll find both information and support here from women who understand.

Judith and the Mods

Cindy-Rose

Thanks to all of you, I do have surgery comming up on the 14th and I was given the name of an Onco today so tomorrow i need to make all the appts for Onco, scans and genetic testing and radiation. It all seems so unreal...I guess I just have to wait to find out but I'm starting to process everything thats happening a little easier than my friends and family are. I feel so bad for them, they all wanna help but there's nothing for them to do but wait with me. Thanks again, I just wanted to make sure I was understanding what I know so far.

Omaz

Cindy - I found it very helpful to keep a little notebook for notes and questions and appointments.  It just helped me to write things down so I didn't have to keep thinking of them to remember them.  I also took my friend or husband with me to my appointments.  That was really helpful too so that I could talk about things with them and they might have heard things slightly differently than I did.  Also when/if you start chemo consider joining a group that is all starting the same month here.  Our group from last year is still supporting each other through all the various things that have come along with treatment.  Best wishes to you and a big hug.

Cindy-Rose

That's a great idea Omaz, I'll get a notebook tomorrow to keep everything in. I've been hauling around a hot pink paper bag with little handles that my BS gave me with a ton on info in it. And I will definately try to find others who are going to be getting chemo when I do. Thanks for the ideas.

Cindy-Rose

Rick here.: Cindy has had her mastectomy. She is still in the hospital in alot of pain. The doctor's finally put all thier heads together and found out that because she has a pain clinic and it may take more meds than they orignally thought because she may hurt more than the common person......well DUH!!!! I could have told them that 2 days ago if I had gone to med school and they would listen. She is going to be there atleast through today. To her Az Sistahs: She recieved your flowers and loves them. I have been in the hospital with her up until about an hour or two ago. She is highly medicated and has "waking dreams". Meaning she doesn't close her eyes but talks about stuff she is dreaming. It gets very confusing to hold a conversation. Genereally I say "Yes, dear" alot and she is happier that way. I am making sure she has all the necessary items that a lady needs in the hospital ( I am waiting for the dryer to give me back her under garments) including TP from home. (We all know that single ply stuff they get doesn't hold up well) I will be returning to the hospital for thier delicious (<---sarcasm) dinner and another comfortable night of sleeping in the recliner right by my wife's side (where I belong). My brother arrives from Hawaii at midnight here. If they have not released her by then we are going to take a 2 foot tall Christmas tree from my mother-in-laws house, and some of Cindy's Christmas presents so she may have some type of Christmas morning with me. I am thankful to all of you for your words of encouragement and support. I truly need and apprieciate them at this place in my life. I will be here again tomorrow, if I am not I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas. Hug and kiss the ones in your life that mean the most.......Rick

voraciousreader

Many years ago, I had life threatening emergency surgery on Christmas Day. It is never pleasant to be in the hospital. Even worse, during the holidays. Since my experience, I now keep in mind all of those people who are hospitalized, like I was, and can't be home. I also think of the staff, like my mother who was a nurse and chose to work on the holidays. So, you and Cindy are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish her a speedy recovery and may the new year be kinder to both of you and your family.

Cindy-Rose

voraciousreader: Cindy did manage to come home Christmas night. We did a little family dinner at her mother's house. ( a fery wierd situation for most to understand as she is closer to me than my own mother) She was very happy with the presents I got her. More books for her to read and some PJs and nightys that will make her feel more comfortable on the many visits that I forsee in our future. I am updating her entries as she is low on energy and has no patiences for teh computer now a days. She is getting better with her pain meds and more able to sit and dictate what she wants me to type. I am hoping to buy her a decent laptop with wyfi so she can take it to her upcoming treatments and for the hospital stays that I see coming up. I am sorry that it has taking me so long to get to all teh replies. I am just a man and not as perfect as the ladies I have met through this board, please ber with me.

 Scincerly,

 Cindys LHB...Rick

sflow

My prayers and thoughts to you.  It sounds like you have a wonderfully supportive family and best of all some good reads!  Take good care of yourself and best wishes !

BelaT

Cindy - Take care. My prayers.

Cindy-Rose

Rick Here., Cindy is in better . She went to the hospice to that they can get get her pain managed at home. the goal is for the doctor to find what would work and then just order the home nurse to have it in hand just in in case.This is going to make things easier in the long run so that, all they have to do is come here to maintain her pain treatment here. This way she is in here "happy spot" around people she cares about and that help here maintain. She is still having alot of post-biopsy pain, they were not nice in that aspect. Her Mom and I cried when the doctor came out ans said "The initial findings in the O.R. showed no signs of Cancer." then she went on to say "Their is something there that we cannot identify." She sent it to the local May clinic for more testing. Cindy is supposed to do a follow up with that surgeon tomorrow. I have rescheduled it until the 30th as she is in hospice getting her pain managed. I have been there multiple times. I am just having issues keeping here M&M levels at an acceptable rate. I may have to put here on a prescribed dosing for her M&M meds. (little Joke) If you have any questions, and have a way to get ahold of me with out this service, please call. My ego and pride could use your voices of concern. Love and Prayer's always. Rick