How can I be stage 1b?

wendeeB

Hey all.

I've been lurking and reading.  I was hoping to be one of the lucky ones that truly only had DCIS.  Had my lumpectomy on Friday 9/5 and got my pathology report today.

No evidence of mets to the SN

Size of IDC 0.8cm

Nottingham score 2 (glandular 3, nuclear pleo 3, mitotic rate 1)

Lymphovascular invasion:  focally suspicious

DCIS present

How can this be a 1b?  Is it the focally suspicious lymphovascular invasion? 

I'm trying to keep my head up.

Nan54

First, I'm so sorry that you find yourself here... I'm glad you found this site, though, because you will get a ton of support and information that will hopefully help you through this scary time.

In terms of your question, I think you might be confusing size of tumor with stage from the path report. A 0.8cm tumor size would make you a T1b (T1a is up to 0.5cm and T1c is 1cm - 2cm in size). This is different than stage which takes more that size of tumor into consideration. So, based on what you wrote, you are actually a stage 1a with a T1b tumor. I'm sure someone else will post soon and give you a link to more of this information, but I am posting from my phone and can't figure out how to do that!

It sounds like this was caught early - hoping you only get good news from here on out! 

wendeeB

Thank you so much for your reply, Nancy.

I'm pretty strong (aren't we all, as women) but this has really thrown me for a loop.  I think I'm in shock, tbh.  Haven't cried, freaked out,...

My dcis was er-/pr-.  They're sending the idc sample for testing for er, pr, her2, ICH /FISH and ki67 testing.  

Met with the RO last week, and next on the 17th.  Maybe the onc too.  IDK...so much going on. 

farmerlucy

wendee - I think Nancy is right - pt1b. I am stage 1a, at 1.1 cm, and that is pt1c. I don't think the possible LVI with clear nodes moves the stage. I combed through every minute detail on my path report, sometimes I still do. I think I look for answers to questions that still haunt me but will never be revealed. Crying and freaking out can be cathartic so if and when it happens know that it is totally normal. Hugs.