isolated tumor cell

ITC's can be circulating anywhere in your body, not just your breasts. In fact, we all have some in us at all times and something 'turns' them on - then the cancer delveops. A micromet is a breast cancel cell(s) that has detached from it's primary source and is caught by a lymph node. Some cells travel through our blood stream and set up home somewhere else to develop.

So, I had both in my pathology report. The ITC was found in normal breast tissue and the micromet was found in two matted nodes.

So...

ITC is less than .2mm and is = to node negative

Micromet is between .2mm up to 2mm and is = node positive, but with same prognosis as node negative

Macromet is greater than 2mm = node positive

right?

Ask him what size, then you'll have your answer... Mine was .38mm and is called a micromet as it falls within the range... of course had it been .18mm smaller, it would have been considered node negative.

Hopeful, an honest mistake I made, sorry! I even thought of correcting it, but the conversation moved on...

So then it's worse than what my doc told me. I had ITCs and micromets with no further treatment! He told me to "save the big guns for next time".

Barbe... I had a micromet and am in chemo... with no regrets

Barbe... Maybe inquire about scans and then chemo now?? Can it really be too late?? I know oncs try to get chemo in within 6 weeks of surgery, but if its late chemo vs no chemo, maybe late chemo is a good option.

I don't know what to say... Have you asked an onc about this, more recently... I understand the time frame, but let's say a rogue cancer cell did escape, which is unlikely, but let's say... the chemo would kill it before it lands on a lung or bone... so if scans are clean, then is it really really too late?

Nope, no Tamoxifen, no AI's, NOTHING!!! (I had a hysterectomy years ago, and at (now) 53, they assumed I'm post-menopausal) I just sit and worry over every little bump and ache. I try not to dwell on it...but really, of course I do!

My scans aren't always clean, either. I have areas that light up, but they feel those are arthritic so I just keep holding the faith.

I had my first chemo treatment 5 weeks to the date of my bilateral mastectomy.  My first path report said micromet on a side where it was only dcis... Second path report said isolated tumor cell with dcis and lcis... My oncotype was 26.  Without chemo I was at 17% of reoccurance.  With chemo and now Tamoxifen, I'm assuming that went down to 5%? 

I see my onc again in June and will ask about a hormonal. I've made it this far...and I'd like to go a bit further! I may be one of the lucky ones that goes 25 years after surgery, but we never know - do we? I am interviewing for a new job today (gets harder over 50 to have anyone want you) so I am certainly not living my cancer, if you know what I mean....I'm just living!

I actually had a GREAT interview this morning and he told me my image is exactly what they're looking for in management! Woo hoo! Let's see if he can put his money where his mouth is....

Ok. Now I am worried about waiting for chemo. So the standard is 6 weeks after surgery?!

I think it is preferred to be 6 weeks, because I had surgery on Dec 8 and was supposed to start chemo on Jan 10 and wanted to delay a week so I could have a colonoscopy and they allowed it, but wanted to get started.