Can you help me understand my pathology report?

star2017

I’m meeting with my MO next week, but want to get some context for questions. What are the implications of the following on my report?

What does Nottingham score of 9 mean?

What does high grade DCIS mean? Cancerization of lobules?

High histologic grade?

Nuclear grade high?

Presence of expansive comedo necrosis?

Presence of microcalcifications?

Distance from closest margin 3mm?

Largest metastic node 1.7cm?

edwards750

star - I am certainly not qualified to decipher a Path report but I can tell you the Nottingham score of 9 means the grade of your tumor is most likely a 3 which means it’s an aggressive tumor. High histologic grade and nuclear grade high reinforce that score. Grades are catagorized by 1,2,3 with 1 being the one most closely resembling normal cells.

I would check out the Mayo Clinic website or other reputable ones.

Just because it’s aggressive doesn’t mean it’s not treatable it will most likely be an aggressive treatment.

Good luck!

Diane

star2017

thank you so much, Diane. I’ve undergone chemo and am only now in the frame of mind to read through and process a lot of these numbers and words. Next step is a prophylactic mastectomy, reconstruction, and radiation

Falconer

Star, I understand your frame of mind. It's been almost two years for me, and my pathology report still confuses and surprises me when I read it. It sounds to me like your MO is throwing the book at the BC. One thing I learned recently is that anything over 1mm in the lymph node is considered macro, not micromets. But let me add that my mom had many positive nodes when she was treated for BC 20+ years ago. She's 76 now and a grandma of six.

star2017

Thank you, Falconer.

Anonymous

Ask for explanations of the very specific medical terminology and don't leave the doctor's office till you are completely satisfied no matter how impatient or in a hurry they might seem (although I think docs these days are trying to be better about that).

I don't know how many times I had to remind my docs that I wasn't a professional and wanted simple (not simplistic) explanations I could understand, offered in layperson terms, and that my husband could also capture in our written notes.

Hugs,

Claire in AZ

edwards750

One thing I think we all have learned from being DX is be your own advocate. Do your homework and do make the Dr explain medical terms. After all it’s their job.

I was originally on Arimidex but was DX with osteoporosis. Just so you know Arimidex attacks the bones. I had bone density tests so it’s not like my MO didn’t know. I reminded her of that and she switched me to Tamoxifen. So why didn’t she take the lead? If I hadn’t would she have? Apparently not.

It’s your body and your life. You make the call. I know several women who went against the advice of their doctors. Not in a harmful way but what was best for them.

Diane

moth

This webpage goes over most of the things that show up on a pathology report: https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-you...