Just got my final path report.

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in_cognito
in_cognito Member Posts: 429
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Ok - so maybe it is not so final.  I had my lumpectomy last Thursday.  Originally, the MRI showed a 3 cm tumor, mammo/ultrasound showed 1.5cm.  The surgeon cut out about 6 cm worth of tissue to be safe.  Well, there was a 1.5 tumor there for sure, as well as another 0.7 cm tumor next to it of IDC.  The surgeon said he got clear margins - looks like 0.4 cm of clear margins.  He wants to go back in and shave some more tissue off to make sure there is not one more little tumor lurking.  Or maybe to get bigger margins - not so sure.  Was in a fog when he told me.  This would be multifocal correct?  He still does not recommend a mast unless the next surgery comes back with more cancer cells.  He also told me they go by the biggest tumor measurement for staging - does that sound correct?  Does having multifocal tumors change the overall prognosis by much (I'm 37 y/o)?  I don't have a meeting with my Onc until the next pathology comes back so can't ask him until then.  Just wondering if anyone else shares something similar with me, besides having BC =)

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  • Seabee
    Seabee Member Posts: 557
    edited June 2010

    A tumor's being multifocal doesn't matter unless the foci are widely dispersed, in which case MX is the only alternative.  Mine was multifocal, but all in the same operable area. BS complained about it though, so they can be harder to remove.

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  • eileen1955
    eileen1955 Member Posts: 365
    edited June 2010

    Yes, they only count the largest tumor. I remember thinking my two tumors would be added up, but I was wrong.     Your doctor is right to go back in to check further beyond the 0.4 cm margin.  I had the same second surgery.  The reason, as explained to me, was to make sure that the original tumors weren't actually a little longer but invisible for a few mm.  My second surgery, to check the margins, was negative for cancer.    I know, not fun to think about a second surgery when you are still recovering from the first.  Mine were exatly 2 weeks apart.

    I know you are not ready to pop the champagne bottle yet, but your tumor was only stage 1 and only grade 2. No lymph nodes!  And your hormone markers were positive, so you can be treated.         It sounds to me that your probability of a full recovery will be high. 

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