Confused Staging

raindeer1217

Hi Ladies - well it's been a whirlwind 6 weeks. Dx to fast track DM and expanders put in. Phew exhausted already.



I just got my formal staging from my oncologist she said I was stage 1. But I am going to have 18 weeks chemo 8 cycles every 2 weeks. Rest two weeks and 4 more every week.



Dx: Stage 1, IDC 1.78cm, 1 grade 3. I am ER PR + and HER2-, neg on genetic testing. (holy cow cant believe i know what the heck this all means!!)





I am a bit surprised by my staging being 1? Not that i am complaining I am just confused why I am a 1 not a 2, just because of the size of the tumor?



Any insight would be helpful. I am getting chemo for such a low staging? Is this normal? Or maybe it's because of my age? 36.

voraciousreader

Under 2 cm... Node negative makes you Stage 1. Young age and grade 3 makes you likely to have chemo. However, you are a candidate for the Oncotype DX test. It would give you more info and tell if you would benefit from chemo. The good news though is that young women respond very well to chemo especially when they have grade 3 tumors. I wish you well.

raindeer1217

Thank you!! No one has mentioned the Oncotype test. I should ask.