ADVICE ON TREATMENT

I only had a sentinel node biopsy in which they took 5 nodes. Yes, you can have just one node that's posititve. Because the biospy one was positive is why they took all of them in case more are positive. As I said, go with what your doctor advises you.

Sue

frances--I had 3 sentinels positive, but the others were all negative. I took the oncotype DX test and scored low risk. I did not do chemo, but did do rads and hormonal. So far, so good. I was 66 at DX.

The size of lobulars is often hard to guage, since they don't form a discrete lump.

I can't give you advice, except to say that I wouldn't categorically recommend trusting your doctor. You have to find out for yourself what seems best for you, since, as I was told by an oncologist, put fifty oncs in a room and no two of them will agree.

When I was diagnosed, I read everything I could about treatment.  I made my mind up that if I had any positive nodes, I would definately have chemo.  Mine turned out to be negative so I had the oncotypedx test.  Based on those results and my age (58at the time) that I would not have chemo.  I know how difficult this decision is for us.

Roseann

hi i want to ask you ladies, if you dont mind what treatment you had, and why? one ONC says for me to have AC x4 thhen T x12 then tamoxifen, the #2 ONC said TC x 4 then tamoxifen, i dont know what to do... it seems so extreme in difference? # 2 said he did not think i need prolonged chemo,,( he said that means 3 drugs) said the risk out weigh the benifits for my case. my tumor was 2.6 cm said there was no lymph nodes and all numbers looked good. he said that AC has a study history of 30 years and TC has only 8 years. not one drug is stronger then the other he said, just AC is much harsher.. what do you think? did they offer you % of reoccurance? thank you, im running out of time and scared to death..

Treatment for IDC vs ILC is the same.   The variations in treatment depend on the tumors hormone receptors (ER, PR, HER2), grade, proliferation rate, whether lymph nodes were involved, any chest wall or skin involvement, BRCA 1 or 2 mutations, etc.  So your treatment and prognosis are closely tied to what is in the pathology report.  If your grade is 1 or 2 then the pleomorphic aspect really doesn't play as a factor.  Unfortunately, grade 3 pleomorphic is a more concerning situation but the studies don't have any answers on how to address it.  In my case we are actually putting the BRCA 2 positive issue as the most pressing to address and ignoring the pleomorphic.

As a general statement ILC usually has a better prognosis because it has a much higher probability of being ER and PR positive and HER2 negative.  Those tumors (regardless of IDC or ILC) respond well to the hormone therapies such as tamoxifen or the Aromotase Inhibitors (Femara, Aromasin and the other one that I can't remember at the moment).

If you would like to know more then get a copy of your path report.  There are some websites that will assist you with understanding some of the terms.  Then arm yourself with questions for the onc or surgeon on your next visit.  Or ask your doc to walk you through the report.