Stage of cancer

Jennmadd

My mom had a biopsy the 30th of January and was diagnosed with IDC a few days later. She has had no appointments since then. We have appointments scheduled for next week but I'm going crazy wondering what her stage is.

My grandma was also diagnosed recently and we confirmed her stage yesterday as stage 2. From what Info I have on my mom I thought her prognosis could be worse than my grandmas. So having my grandma stage 2 scares me for my mom.

Here is her info:

3:00 position IDC

Tumor grade- 3

Lymph-vascular invasion-absent

In Siri component- absent

Estrogen+ ,pr+ ,her-2 +1

Ki-67: 41.9%

Tumor size: greater than 5 cm ( the tumor is also trying to push through the skin. You can see it against her skin

So the only thing we don't know is node involvement. Which I think is a big piece of the puzzle. Knowing these things can she still be stage 2 or less? Please help

ElaineTherese

Yes, the node involvement is an important part of staging. Frankly, as long as your Mom is Stage IIIA or less, she'll be considered early stage. My tumor was 5 cm +; I had one node involved; and I was considered Stage IIIA. Given the size of your Mom's tumor and the fact that she is Grade 3, the doctors may do more scanning to assess her stage.

Stage may be less important than other characteristics of your Mom's tumor in determining her prognosis. I wouldn't get too caught up in worrying specifically about that.

I'm sorry to hear that your family is suffering a double whammy right now. ((HUGS))

mustlovepoodles

They can't stage the cancer until they get the tumor out. Yes, There is a possibility that your mom's tumor is stage 2 or 3, but there is nothing to be gained by going crazy over this. It will be what it will be, you know?

Goincrzy8

I dont know why people get hooked on the Stage, as long as a treatment plan is started and this nasty disease is out of our bodies based on the treatment plan, whether it be Chemo, Rads, Hormone therapy. Lot of stage IV ladies around for lots years. Sorry you are getting a double whammy, but once a plan is in place you will be more informed. The waiting is the hardest. Take one day at a time

Jojo0529

er/pr + and her 2 negative and no lvi are all great! I would not focus on size. Your mom's tumor may be a gentle giant.

cliff

after my surgery, I found from the report that mine is stage 4. I looked that up on the internet and got real depressed. a lot of the internet info is old, medical science has progressed quite a bit from the old stuff. my stage 5 is being treated successfully with tamofloxin. 10 months now and two tumors are shrinking, one in a rib and one at the base of my spine. please let the experts do their job.

MinusTwo

Jennmadd - just a gentle suggestion - if you keep posting on one continuous thread instead of starting new theads, those of us who read will have the back story and be better able to answer.

It's hard waiting. You are in our thoughts.

Jennmadd

Thank you all for your responses. Everyones info was very helpful. I love the reference gentle giant. That gives me some hope to hang onto until we know more 🤞🏻.

Cliff- That is great to hear! And very encouraging. I read somewhere " I am NOT dying from cancer. I am LIVING with cancer." That felt very powerful to me.

I am trying to educate myself so that when I get to the dr.s I know the right questions to ask and have an idea of what they are talking about. But I find info that is scary at the same time. I think that's why the stage of cancer seemed important to me, so that I can research treatment options.

Waiting sucks!! My mom and grandma seem so brave. Meanwhile I'm over here trying to keep it together. Thank you for helping me get through tonight 😘

Minus two- Oops! I will update on my original post from now on.

Traveltext

Jennmadd, with bc in two generations preceding you be sure to put yourself into a breast care plan to ensure you are OK now and in the future. You may even consider genetic testing.

cliff

yes, the waiting sucks. until the results of my first two ct scans came back showing the cancer fading a bit, and the treatment was working, I was quite worried. I have another next tuesday, and can only hope for the best. scan every three months, tuesday will be the fourth, not counting for diagnosis.

Jennmadd

Cliff, I will be thinking of you Tuesday and praying for more good news. Keep is updated please