Question about high grade diagnosis

val123

Hi, I had a biopsy yesterday and today my doctor called and said I have breast Cancer. All she said was that the radiologist said it was high grade. She didn't have the pathology report yet. So now I have to wait till Friday when I have an appointment with a surgeon. Is it possible to have a high grade cancer that is stage 1 or 2? I've been a total wreck since I found out and now I have to wait 2 more days . Thanks for any help, I'm so scared.

Moderators

Hi Val123-

We just wanted to welcome you to our community. We're so sorry you find yourself here, we know how difficult the first days and weeks can be. But you've come to the right place for support, and other members will be along to offer their guidance.

The Mods

Meow13

The pathologist does the examination of the tumor and determines the grade, the grade is usually done using the nottingham scoring. It is independent of the size of tumor and extent of invasion. So yes you can be stage 1 and have a high grade of 3.

Here is a link to get started with

https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis

The radiologist only knows what was observed the pathologist report is what you need. The MRI should give you an idea of how large a tumor you have but that can change after lumpectomy or mastectomy.

val123

Thank you so much

CindyNY

Val123- The waiting is the worst, and it's normal to be scared of the unknown.

The grading is nuclear grade 1, 2, or 3. Grade 1 is less abnormal looking, not growing rapidly. 2 is moderately differentiated, somewhat more abnormal. 3 is poorly differentiated, spread more aggressively.

I believe it's possible to be a stage 1 A or B and be a grade 3. But try not to focus on the grade at this point. Once the pathology comes back you'll have more information on the estrogen receptors. These receptors will help determine your treatment.

Easier said than done, but try to get out and enjoy the holiday, even if that just means taking a walk. Friday will be here before you know it.

Keep us posted, the women here are a wealth of knowledge and very supportative. HUGS!

DATNY

Yes, grade 3, the highest grade, is very common. It only describes the current cell division activity. You can take a look at the diagnosis shown every time a user posts something (if they chose to show it; I do not) and you will see that many women with stage 0, I or II have grade 3 cancer. Unfortunately, neither the grade nor the size of the tumor can predict if it spread. For that, one needs to do full body scan. Some practitioners won't do it unless there are symptoms to indicate it spread, but most do it, especially if a lymph node is involved.

Do your best to enjoy the holiday. There are effective treatments so you'll most likely be just fine although this isn't a walk in park. Best wishes!

Meow13

Yes Val123, the grade might help determine your treatment but it is only one element. Sometimes a high grade can be easier to knock out compared to a low grade.

Also staging is another indication but not to get too concerned if Stage 1 or 3 it still considered early breast cancer and is treatable.

Good luck, once you get more information you will feel better. This is the worse part getting the call it is cancer.

val123

Thank you so much Ladies, you all have such a positive attitude. I'm a pretty positive person too so hopefully that will help. I just wish I knew now how bad it is. I'll try to have a nice holiday. I actually have a free room tomorrow night at the hotel I started working at in downtown Charleston. Great place to watch the fireworks.

Thanks again, Val

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Misha13

Hi Val, I was looking for where to post this question and I found yours! Thank God! Same here. I know I have the diagnosis but not all the information yet. I’ve been worrying about the grade 3 affecting the stage as well.

I have a PET scan and MRI on Monday so I’m freaking out about what that will show. Keep us posted, it sounds like we are about in the same place.

keepthefaith

val, once you get the final pathology report,( usually from surgery), that will determine your treatment plan. My biopsy report showed Grade 3, my surgical pathology Grade 2. I guess I will call it 2 1/2! Like others have said, the grade does not determine the spread and if it is a higher grade, it is still very treatable and chemo is usually more effective. Best wishes moving forward!

val123

Thanks for all the replys, I really appreciate it. I've had so much anxiety the past few days only knowing that I have breast cancer and that it's high grade. I'll find out more in the morning. I'm just so scared right now, I can't think of anything else.

molliefish

fingers crossed for you Val. I was stage one grade 3. I am just over 3 years cancer free.

footprintsangel

Thanks Molliefish, I know Val123 can do it, She has a lot of people praying 

for her and Your positive note,  Love and prayers Deb

balance

Sending good thoughts your way. As you can see from my stats, stage 2a, grade 3, 6+ years out:)

Kelligirl5

You've had lots of responses but wanted to chime in, I was diagnosed in March with stage 0 grade 3 Paget's/DCIS. Hoping you have your report in front of you by now and are working through a plan of action.

Gndvll

I'm meeting the medical oncologist and the genetics counselors this week. I pray you get the answers that you need as soon as possible.  It's a whirlwind.  I'm trying to ready everything that's happened in oncology in the last twenty years in a three week crash course right now.  Just ask questions.  As many as you need. As often as you need.  Take the time to process that you need.  

God bless,

Gina

edwards750

The waiting game is the toughest. We can all agree on that. I was Stage 1b, Grade 1, 7 years out next month. One of my friends with BC has an oncologist who doesn’t believe staging is important. Mine was the polar opposite. BC is a disease that isn’t one size, fits all. They all agree early stage is treatable.

Try not to worry.

Diane

val123

Hi Ladies,

I don't feel as bad as I did but this still sucks. So what I know so far is I'm stage 2 grade 3 IDC 2.2cm. I'm ER+ and PR-. They don't know the Her2 yet. Is Her2 positive or negative better? I have an MRI Friday and have to go see the oncologist next Thursday. The surgeon suggested maybe chemo before surgery. It looks like most women have surgery then chemo or radiation. Has anyone had chemo 1st? I hope after the MRI my results don't come back worse like that it spread or something. It's so hard not to think about this all the time but I'm really trying

Misha13

Hey Val, I’m a little ahead of you, but Not by much. I have been told I will start chemo on Monday, which is before surgery. I was told if the cancer is large or aggressive, they do the chemo first. I just got my official diagnosis this morning. IDC 2.9cm, T2, N1, IIB, ER/PR+, HER-.

Also, my tumor was actually smaller on the MRI than they thought, so once you have that test, there could be good news!

Prayers for you!!

val123

Misha13, Good luck with your chemo. If you can please let me know how it goes. That's great that it's smaller than they thought. Prayers for you too

keepthefaith

val, I don't know that your HER2 status is "better" one way or the other. I know that the HER2- is probably more common, but there are a lot of new and effective treatments for HER+ that they didn't have several years ago. Either way, it sounds like you are in good hands! Once you have all of the information and start treatment, you will feel much better! Best wishes.

ElaineTherese

If you are HER2+, your treatment will probably include chemo and targeted therapy (Herceptin and maybe Perjeta), with Herceptin lasting a year. It definitely involves a lengthier treatment than that for ER+/PR+/HER2- cancer. But, keepthefaith is right that HER2+ patients have more treatments available than they did in the past, and have outcomes comparable to hormone positive, HER2- cancer. Good luck!