Technically stage 4, treated as stage 4

bak94

Treated as stage 3 not 4, dont know how to fix title!!

When I was first diagnosed my docs told me I was basically stage 3, almost stage 4. Then I got a ct report and it said right on it I was stage 4. I questioned my mo and bs. They both said the same thing. I am technically stage 4 because of where 1 positive node is located, just out of the internal mammary nodes which would make it stage 3. They treated me as if I am stage 3 and said I could call myself either one and be correct, so I chose to say stage 3. They said they treated based on stage 3 diagnoses, but at one point were considering not doing a bmx because of inoperable nodes.I had pcr so they recommended bmx and rads after all (I am brca 1 +). I am just curious if any others had a similiar situation? I have hot heard of anyone but have never asked. I will ask on the stage 4 boards also. I am not sure how they would have treated me differently if they treated as stage 4? Maybe not as strong of chemo but does that make sense? I did 6 rounds of ac every 2 weeks and then 12 weekly abraxane with avastin.

kenyohunt1

I too am clinically a StageIIIc but pet/CT scan showed 2 positive nodes near the sternum making me a stage IV. BS and Once both say my treatment would not change regardless. I asked what do I tell family and was told that I am Stage IIIc but treated as a StageIV, I will also still have chemo,surgery and rads when the the comes.

Outfield

Eligibility for clinical trials is something where they are nit-picky about stage.  I tried to think of a less judgemental word for it - I don't mean that as a negative - they have to be.