When will I know what stage breast cancer I have?

elisa60

When I went back to see the results of my breast biopsy on July 18 2018 all the doctor told me was I have breast cancer, he never said what stage I am in and all in the same day he sent me to another building to have a EKG and talk to an anesthesiologist about my port procedure so I can get chemo or what ever they are planning on treating me with. The doctor said the cancer mass is just in my breast not my lymph nodes but that's is all the doctor said. Is they going to start my chemo first and when I am finished with them round they will take out the mass before they can tell what stage I have. I will get some much needed answers on July 31. Can somebody help me? I thought the biopsy will tell them that not only do I have cancer but what stage I am in but I guess not.

Anonymous

I can't tell what Dr gave you the diagnosis. I would go back to that Dr and just ask for more details (sounds like you had a biopsy?), or if you're seeing an Oncologist soon, to get further information from them.

moth

Do you know the size of your tumor? That & whether there is any signs of it being in the lymph nodes are used to do a preliminary staging of your cancer.

fwiw, staging is trickier if you're going to have chemo before surgery because the chemo can shrink the tumor & then you never really know exactly what your stage was, though they should have a pretty good estimate. Traditionally, final staging is done after surgery. But you should have preliminary staging now. Your doctor should have told you all this.

I'd book an appointment and go back with a list of questions:

what stage is my cancer & what is the prognosis?

what is the hormone receptor status of my tumor & will I need hormone treatment afterwards?

why is chemo being prescribed & if it's being prescribed before surgery, what is the purpose? Is it to shrink the tumor?

what type of chemo regimen am I being prescribed?

when will I have surgery? What type of surgery will I be recommended to have?

will I need radiation?

Ingerp

Did you get a copy of your pathology report? You usually don’t get a final stage until after your surgery but they should have a best guess at this point. Have you met with a medical oncologist yet? He/she will coordinate any chemo that you have. Who do you see on the 31st

Shellsatthebeach

Hi elisa,

You have a right to know about your diagnosis. I would bring a notebook with question that you already have written, so you don't forget them. Ask away anything about your tumor. They should be able to give you the grade, an approximate stage (this can change once they do surgery and they see the full picture) and your receptor status. This means if you are ER+ or negative. You will also want to ask if you are Her2 positive or negative. This test can take longer to come back with results. All this stuff is important because it will help you and the Team to decide appropriate treatment plans based on these factors. Remember you are a part of this team and not just a spectator. You have a right to voice your concerns and desires. I wish you luck on your next appt.

elisa60

moth- Thanks that's good advice. I will copy your list down alone with my list of questions.

elisa60

ajbclan- Thanks yes I had a biopsy and the results were that I have breast cancer and that is the only information I know right now but will get answers soon and will keep you posted.

elisa60

Shellsatthebeach. Thanks for your good advice I am coping everything down so I can remember everything to ask. Yes you are right I do have a right to know. I do not know about none of the things you mention but good advice, this is all new to me. I am like a sitting duck in the pond I am not familiar with none of these terms. I feel lost.

Each_day_2018

I was diagnosed in June and it wasn't until I went to a new doctor as a second opinion last week that she shared the results of the biopsy other than "Cancer". She was able to tell me grade and hormone receptivity. She is reluctant to discuss staging until she has the whole picture, and even then, after surgery, they can always find out more.

My doctor couldn't give staging information until more tests were completed. I just had an MRI last week, which showed the tumor to be nearly twice the size they originally thought it was. I have to go for a PET scan on Wednesday and after the results of that, she said they will have a pretty good idea on staging. Staging is harder to determine from a biopsy, so you may need additional tests to find out how big it really is. The biopsy is only showing a small sample from a small area.

Waiting is the hardest. But not all doctors know what information to give. I live in a small town, so my first dr (the only breast surgeon around) did not specialize in breast cancer. He didn't order any additional testing (blood work, MRI, PET, etc) and he didn't know what information was available, even when I asked. This may not be your same situation, but always consider getting a second opinion. Not every doctor knows everything. I am now working with a team of doctors, not just one...and I trust a team approach much more than a single health professional.

beach2beach

Hi,

Ditto the above. When I had my biopsy I found out two days later, on a friday what it was. By Tues I knew the hormonal factors, think the HER2 took an extra day. If he was sending you to see about a port then he has to know more information, you don't make that announcement on a hunch. I'd call and ask him for a copy of the results and ask him what its the grade and your best idea on the stage.