pathology questions

Thanks so much, Ladies, for helping me understand my diagnosis. I now have a clearer vision of what all of this means for me and with that better understanding comes some relief. My BS and PS have been talking like rads are a given and chemo will be up to the oncologist.

 Britchick, I have no idea what what my HER-2 status is. That was sent out for additional testing after the biopsy since it wasn't clear one way or the other. I was told it was ER+/PR+ at that time though and that I'd require 5 years of hormone therapy when all was said and done.

I also know that due to the location of the tumour and the fact that they're not comfortable with the margins on the side closest to the skin, I will have to undergo an additional surgery to excise that tract of skin. It's located over the expander right now.

I don't think we have Oncotype DX testing here in Canada. I'm not sure what criteria they base the need for chemo on, though I suspected I would be offered that since there was a lymph node involved. My BS doesn't feel there's a need to remove the axillary nodes since there seems to be no other nodal involvement - no swollen or painful nodes anywhere. She's taking a bit of a "wait and see" approach to that. I guess much will depend on what the oncologist has to say.

Technically, my actual outside the duct tumour is 1.8 cms then?

I must admit that part still confuses me.

I'm off to have the second drain pulled soon. I can't wait to have that nuisance gone!

Thanks again for helping, and for the welcome. It's not a club anyone wants to join but wow, it's awesome to have a place to go where others genuinely understand!

Thanks again to both of you.

I'll definitely check into the Oncotype testing, Britchick, and thank you for helping to clear up the tumour confusion. That test hasn't been suggested or offered but perhaps it's one of those things the oncologist I haven't met yet will know more about.

I learned from my PS today, while I was getting the drain pulled, that my BS had spoken to an oncologist and decided that I would require chemo. Kind of a sucky way to begin an appointment but I sort of knew that was coming anyway. Can't say I'm thrilled but at least it feels like a plan.

He also said he wants to speed up my fills in order to have them finished before chemo starts. The plan, at this moment, seems to be chemo first, and then either further tissue removal or to excise that strip of skin during the exchange surgery. To that end, he will overfill the cancer side to give the BS skin to work with without compromising the reconstruction.

I have no idea what my chemo plan might look like. I imagine though that there is a long road yet to walk. I guess the question of radiation will be answered a little further down the road. Follow-up hormone therapy is a given though.

The things we're forced to learn...

Thanks for listening!

I wish you both well...