Multi-focal and scared

Tri-lady7

I had a lumpectomy 9/11 and my BS was able to get clear margins. The pathology report showed a 2.2 cm tumor with another 1.5 cm tumor not that far away. The MRI I had before surgery did show both tumors but the second one showed much smaller. I also had 2 lymph nodes removed both positive with one having extra-capsular extension by 1mm. I go to a NCI cancer center that is very respected. My BS does not want to go back to do a ALND because I will get chemo and rads. Although they have me at stage IIb ,I just feel like I have every bad situation and am not feeling very optimistic right now. I am starting chemo soon so just need to take one day at a time. Thank you for letting me vent

dtad

Hi there. So sorry you are dealing with all of this. Just want you to know my BS at a major NYC teaching hospital told me that being multi focal does NOT change your prognosis. Also they no longer combine sizes of tumors but use the largest one in deterring stage. Good luck and keep us posted...

swg

Many of us here are in the same or similar boat. I have 2 tumors in the right breast. And oh joy, the original one that I thought was only 1.2 cm was shown to be 2 cm by the pre surgery MRI. My tumors are "multicentric" because they're not close to each other. So I have to get a unilateral mastectomy.

And it's true..believe me, because I've done tons of research..multicentric or multifocal tumors do NOT lessen your survival chances.

Tri-lady7

Hi swg- thank you so much for your response. I think when I wrote this I was down in the dumps but I do agree that there are many here in the same boat with two tumors. My MO agrees that it doesn't change prognosis. I am more worried at this point about the positive lymph nodes. Hoping the chemo does its job!

wallan

Hi Trilady 7:

Hugs to you. When I was dx almost 14 years ago, at age 41, I had a 7 cm tumor, 2 positive nodes and extracapsular extension in both. I was ER+/Pr+her2-

The 7 cm tumor was actually two tumors and they added them together. I was multifocal.

I am NED from that cancer still to this day. There is hope my dear.

I only had a mastectomy last time. Last Feb I was dx with stage 1, node negative cancer in the other breast. New cancer, not a recurrance. It too is multifocal. But my prognosis is excellent.

There are no guarantees, but I do think your chances are excellent. The odds are with you.

Hugs again

wallan

Meow13

My initial pathology showed multicentric, in different quadrant, and multi focal. I asked is that really bad, answer was no just more complicated. I am 6 years NED. My mx pathology showed that they were 2 separate tumors and not multifocal.

Tri-lady7

Hi Wallan-your story really does bring me hope! So sorry about the new DX but glad it is a good prognosis. Thank you for making me feel better as we all know this is a tough journey.

Hi Meow13-the two I had were right next to each other in fact the ultrasound and MRI all showed it to be one big tumor but the pathology ended up to be two separate ones.

swg

You and me both--I haven't had my surgery yet, so I don't know what my situation is with my lymphs. Keeping my fingers crossed for you! Keep us posted! This forum is great support.

wallan

Hi Trilady 7:

Im glad I could help a bit. It is a rough road.

Meow and swg -hugs to you both

wallan