Still so confused as to how they figure out staging..

Juleseyes

I'm so sorry if this is the wrong category. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer literally a week ago and her surgery is in 2 days. The biopsy report said, invasive ductal carcinoma (9mm), Er+pr+ and her2-, with axillary lympth involvement (2mm), and this is all on her left side. There is also micro invasions throughout that breast so on Tuesday they remove the whole breast. He said there is no reason to remove the other one. The surgeon felt her underarms everywhere and when he opened the floor for my brother and I to ask questions i only had one: will he do scans to see if it metastized???

Now, my head is a blur and I don't remember exactly what he said. He said he was not concerned with doing scans because the lymph node one was so small. But that the surgery would reveal all of the answers. So no scans. Good news right? But I don't feel like that's conclusive enough.

I'm just so confused and scared about metastizing now. Does it stay in the lymph nodes for a long time or something?? How can he be sure just by feeling her lymph??

The path report also says something about "outside the lymph node involvement - inconclusive".

Now we wait for the surgery path report on Jan 8th. I've been positive the last week, because all I'm really scared for is that it metastized. But now I feel like I need to be a nervous wreck until Jan 8th because I don't feel like there's any way he can be sure it hadnt metastized without the scans which he simply didn't do. Can anyone shed some light in this??

Peregrinelady

Hi Jules, this truly is the worst time while waiting to see exactly what is going on with your mom’s diagnosis. Most people with early stage diagnoses do not receive scans unless there are symptoms to indicate a need. With that being said, the extent of the cancer is not truly known until after surgery. It sounds like your mom’s tumor is on the small side. I know it is difficult, but try not to stress too much about the unknown. Being there for your mom and remaining as calm as possible is the best thing you can do for her. Please keep us posted.

JoE777

scans are not usually done at the beginning unless there are symptoms of metastasis i.e. pain. Too many things can be seen that aren't cancer(scars, arthritis, spots on kidneys or liver that are nothing) It really is scary then. Chemo and radiation , etc that might be used for first line treatment will punch the cancer hard. Try to breathe until you have all the pathology and options laid out for you. She's on the road to getting well.Looking for the best for you and Mom. Please keep us posted. Hugs and peace fill you night. Jo