IDC with lymph node

lyonsden

My mom, who is 61, was just recently diagnosed with IDC in the left breast and left axillary lymph node. The size of the breast tumor is .5mmX0.7mmX0.5mm and the lymph node measures larger with the greatest size at 2.4cm. She is ER/PR + and HER2 -. We are in complete shock and disbelief.

My question is, does size of the lymph node matter? I know they said the goal is to catch tumors before 1cm but with the lymph node being so large I am beside myself...It doesn't help that the radiologist noted no real "lymph" tissue present which she said could be either the cancer cells have already overtaken the node or where they biopsied was the cancerous part and they didn't get any of the normal node tissue.

We are meeting with the surgeon and oncologist tomorrow morning to review options. Any advice is very much appreciated as we are all going to the worst place

Moderators

Daer lyonsden,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry to learn of you mom's diagnosis and so glad that you are already working to support her by becoming informed by others who know the way. While you are waiting for some of our members to respond check out this page from our main site that offers helpful links to those who are just getting started including information about lymph nodes, and questions to prepare for your oncology visit tomorrow. Keep us posted on what you learn. We are here for you and your mom.

The Mods

jenni0102

Hi, Lyonsden! I am sorry that your mom is going through this and I am sorry that you have to experience her going through it. I would try to wait to freak out until she has surgery and they can do pathology test on what they remove, simply because sometimes the results change from before surgery to after. For example, I was diagnosed from biopsy with IDC, tumor size 2.1cm, grade 1(slow growing) and lymph nodes negative. I had a lumpectomy on June 25th and the results came back with the tumor being 2.8 cm, still grade 1 but with 1 lymph node positive for cancer. I tried to "self-diagnose" myself over and over again up until I received the pathology results from my surgery until I ran myself and probably my poor husband crazy. It does no good. As awful as it is, and trust me, I know it sucks, all you can do is wait on the actually results and then she can start making decisions based on those results. The waiting is the hardest part! You and your mom will be in my prayers! Please keep me posted on how she is doing!

Hugs!!!