Just diagnosed, no idea what any of this means!

Daner001

Well I just received my pathology report and am trying to understand it before my first consult with a breast surgeon on Tuesday. It looks like

-mixed infiltrating ductal carcinoma, architectural grade II, nuclear grade II, mitotic grade I (Nottingham combined histolic grade I) and infiltrating lobular carcinoma, measuring up to 1.1cm in greatest length on a single core

-ductal carcinoma in situ, low nuclear grade

- lobular carcinoma in situ

ER/PR and Her2/Neu will be performed separately.

Help?

My gyn explained some of it to me, but I'm pretty sure my brain had started to check out at some point and I heard nothing.

LisaAlissa

Hi Daner!

You might want to download "this booklet" from the main site (associated with this forum). Many docs hand these out to their patients (mine did), but it can be helpful to read through it before your appointment. Your doc (or nurse) will help you fill out the details and answer questions.

The part where your brain started to check out? That happens to lots of us. It's why taking a "second set of ears" with you can be handy. And even if you take someone with you, you may want to consider asking your doc if you can record the consultation. Many docs are just find with that, and then you can listen and re-listen as often as you need.

I'm not the best person to explain, but I will note that while they'll want to take the DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) out, otherwise you'll be able to ignore it...your other diagnoses will govern the treatment decisions.

Hang in there! We'll be glad to help with questions.

LisaAlissa

NotVeryBrave

Wow - that looks like a lot going on! No wonder you're having some trouble understanding it.

Beyond the path report, it's also helpful to have measurements. Is this one breast or both? One area or multiples?

The most simple fact is that breast cancer requires surgery of some type. And some cancers require chemo, radiation, or hormonal treatment - or all three.

They may recommend an MRI to get more information about both breasts. And they can see a number of lymph nodes that way as well.

I'm very sorry that you've found yourself here, but this is a great place for information and truly understanding compassion. Best of luck to you!