Multi focal disease

mooboojack
mooboojack Member Posts: 17
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I had five individual tumors ranging from .25mm-1.1cm. Does anyone have any information on how the size is staged? Is it a cumulative number achieved by adding all the foci together, or is it the size of the largest foci? My surgeon says the largest foci, my onc say add them up. I've tried to research this without much definitive success.

Many thanks,

mooboojack 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited January 2009

    There is not a definate answer.  It was discussed at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in December but I don't know that they came up with a definative answer.  I, too, had mutifocal (1 and 1..6 cm).  In my case it didnt matter since I had positive nodes but in my head I always consider it as 2.6 cms of bc.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KinAZ
    KinAZ Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2009

    I had 3 tumors,  2 cm  1cm and .50cm    I was staged according to the largest tumor.  Because the tumors were in separate quadrants of the breast, a lumpectomy was not an option.  Had bmx Oct 9th, chemo, but did not need radiation.

    Hugs, Karen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited January 2009

    They stage and treat according the one largest and the most aggressive tumour.  Although as Karen stated, IF they are in different quadrants, then a mast is preferrable to a lumpectomy.  Good Luck with your test!

    What is your next step of treatment?  Have you had surgery yet?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited January 2009

    I also had 3 lesions, then a tiny (1mm) 4th one was found @ path.  From what I'd read on-line, I was afraid they would total them for a combined size, and one onc I spoke to even threw in what they took during my initial biopsy when we were discussing this.  But my BS (@UCLA) said no, they just go by the largest one, and having 2 or 3 additional smaller ones did not change that.

    On the other hand, I've heard some docs use the term "tumor load" when disussing multicentric   or multifocal disease, so I think the total load or scope of the disease can somewhat impact their thinking on chemo regimens and rads.   Deanna

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mooboojack
    mooboojack Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2009

    Thanks for your responses. I had a unilateral mastectomy,6 rounds of TCH, and am now getting Herceptin every 3 weeks until April. I am on Femara for 5 years.

    There was no lymph infiltration. 

    The tumors were all in the same quadrant. Do any of you know how common multi focal disease is? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mooboojack
    mooboojack Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2009

    KinAZ,

    Why did you opt for a bmx? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mandy1313
    Mandy1313 Member Posts: 1,692
    edited January 2009

    I had two tumors....8 cm and .5 cm. For purposes of this board, I added the sizes together.   It was called multi focal and the surgeon and oncologist staged them by the size of the largest tumor.  I ended up with a lumpectomy. The first surgeon was adament that it had to be a mastectomy but the 3 others I saw said it was a good case for a lumpectomy.  Whatever you do, get a second (or even third) opinion.  And then don't look back and second guess yourself. Your decision is the right decision.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KinAZ
    KinAZ Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2009

    mooboojack 

    I felt the bmx was best for me....for the affected side, my tumors were just too far apart and not much breast would be left after trying to get clean margins... as for the unaffected side, that was just my preference.  I did not want any chance of going through this again.  I still miss my breasts, but hope to have recon by the end of the year. 

    I dont know how common multi focal bc is. 

    Karen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aly72982
    aly72982 Member Posts: 29
    edited January 2009

    I was multifocal and multicentric. tumor 2.2cm but also 4 DCIS in other quadrents.

    Being small breasted to start with I went for a mast but all quadrents were afected anyway.

     Reading on the net I have read that it is very rare.

    Aly 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aly72982
    aly72982 Member Posts: 29
    edited January 2009

    I had 1 tumor 2.2cm and 4 DCIS in all quadrents. I went for a mast.

     I read on the net Multifocal and Multicentric bc is very rare!

    Aly 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Emily2008
    Emily2008 Member Posts: 605
    edited January 2009

    Don't know how common or uncommon it is, but I had 2 areas of IDC along with 8 mm of DCIS.  My take on the doctor's opinion was that it was more cause for concern.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited January 2009

    Hi there,,

    I had 2 tiny "buggers"... 4mm and 1mm idc and dcis in the area....i had a lumpectomy and radiation.......

    I also read, different from Emily, that in can be quite common.

    My "buggers" were referred to a 4mm focus and a 1mm satellite ....apparently that meant that the satellite was a part of the other tumour....

    i dunno ?

    hugs ...kosh

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carol1949
    carol1949 Member Posts: 562
    edited January 2009

    My understanding is that multi focal just means suspicious but not necessarily malignant.  At least that is what my mri report said.  My bc was staged in respect to my main tumor and nodes.  I bet if you look at the stats, the chemo tx is the same.  It is really more protocol, than I would like.  All in all... you just have to listen to the doctors..... do your own research and trust your "inner self" to make the decision you are comfortable with.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories