Very new & Very scared

MedicalAnomoly

On Oct 13 I had surgery to remove a 2.4 cm fibroadenoma and a cluster of microcalsifications. On Oct 31 I wen to my 2 week appt and they finally had my pathology report. The biopsy confirmed the 2.4 cm lump was a fibroadenoma but the microcalsifications were determined to be Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. The pathology report feels like pure gibberish and I'm sure the doc explained it somewhat but I was alone and kind of blanked out when I heard the word cancer.

Report states that it is grade 2 of 3, tumor cells were + for E-cadherin, Er+ (95%), PR+ (95%), Ki-67 is estimated at 20-30%. CD10, p63 and Calponin stains show loss of myoepithelial in the invasive ductal carcinoma and retention of myoepithelial layer in the ductal carcinoma in situ. Size is <1cm, high nuclear grade, solid type w/comedo necrosis.

While i was in the office the doc did a blood draw to test for BRCA1 & 2. She also mentioned that since they didn't know the surgery on the 13th would be a cancer surgery, they never biopsied the lymph nodes so I'd need to do that as well.

The recommendations are If BRCA1 or 2 + then I should get a double mastectomy. If no BRCA 1 or 2 but lymph nodes are effected then radiation. She also talked about HRT.

I have MANY other health issues including a rare congenital heart defect so I SERIOUSLY doubt I'd get clearance from a cardiologist to do anything other than the double mastectomy (which i am 100% ok with by the way). I just don't understand what all the stuff in the report means in terms of chances of it coming back or spreading etc.

I don't go back for like 2 weeks and I am totally freaking the heck out!

Mucki1991

sorry you find yourself here but welcome. Your next step is to have the lymph nodes biopsied. If they are cleared your treatment will be much easier. The DR can't give you your stats until they have all of the info and lymph node involvement plays a huge role in that. Grade 2 is def better than grade 3 8-) Since you are highly ER/PR you can expect a some type of estrogen blocker once treatment is comp!ete. Everyone's experience here is different from.how we recover from surgery to how we handle treatment so try not to let others stories scare you too much. There is a ton of wisdom and knowledge here and the ladies are great.

Best wishes to you

bluepearl

You have an ER/PR + Her2- small tumour, grade 2 and node negative. Despite all the other stuff, this particular diagnosis is quite favourable. Tumours that tend to be problematic at less than 1 cm are either Hers+ or triple negative. Your age may have some influence on treatments plans. I believe, but don't quote me, that the anti hormonal are cardiac neutral, meaning neither benefits nor risks. Chemotherapy is a different matter but you probably won't need it, especially given your co-morbidities. Your risk of it coming back in breast, if you have a mastectomy, is about 1-2% and if IDC, risk coming back in other breast as a new primary is about 5%....as you can see, I fell into THAT group. Your risk for distance recurrence, given its size and hormone positivity (and Hers negativity) is probably low too. And OcotypeDX would give you the answers as to risk assessment regarding chemotherapy and if it shows that you might benefit they might prefer a light regime rather than the AC one...which can and does affect the heart. Also, if you have a mastectomy, as long as tumour is not on the chest wall, you won't need radiation...which can be an issue with the left sided affected breast. My pathology report never gave me all those other things you mentioned, so on those I can't comment. try not to worry too much though....easier said than done, I know....but focus on the idea that you have good prognostic factors. XO

MedicalAnomoly

thanks

I am trying to stay positive and keep my mind off things as I sit and wait. Bit hard to not think about my breast as I'm 3 weeks post biopsy and am still in pain

I, luckily, am planning my little sister's baby shower though so at least I have the opportunity to try!

Bounce

Understanding the Pathology Report

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Next choose Your Diagnosis

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/path_checklist