Vascular invasion nodes neg

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Deb267
Deb267 Member Posts: 46
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

My path report shows vascular invasion nodes were neg. Had grade 3 have not been staged invasive ductal have been told will have chemo but have not had appointment with chemo dr yet how long before chemo starts. Had surge Nov 23. What does vascular invasion mean

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited December 2011

    Thats a good thing Deb! 

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  • Deb267
    Deb267 Member Posts: 46
    edited December 2011

    I am getting confused with everything one visit everything seems good then last visit the surgeon spoke to the oncologist about a gene test for recurrence he said did not matter he was going to recommend chemo anyway. It kind of threw me I had been told since the first would prob be just lumpectomy and then radiation. I meet with him on dec 23. Is chemo something that has a time factor I had surg Nov 23. The original mammo was Oct 15. Does anyone know anything about the radiation method of 5 days with a ballon inserted for treatment. Wow this is all over the place I guess that is how my mind has been running the last few days.

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  • Megadotz
    Megadotz Member Posts: 302
    edited December 2011

    Hi,

    Deb, Vascular invasion means that cancer cells have gotten into the blood stream and started to spread outside of the breast.  The final pathology after surgery changed my treatment plan too. If the final results indicate that there's more risk the treatment may become more agressive.

    Here's a link about vascular invasion from the main site:

    http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/vasc_lymph_inv.jsp

    And another about internal radiation (with the balloons):

    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/radiation/types/internal/ 

    It's a bit disorienting when the plan changes, but it's give us the best shot to fight BC.

    All the best,

    Meg 

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  • dragonfly1
    dragonfly1 Member Posts: 766
    edited December 2011

    Deb267 I know that your head is spinning with all of this and its very overwhelming. I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this.

    Let me see if I can clarify a little bit. I'm no expert but...it would help to know more about your estrogen, progesterone and Her2 status-are you + or - ? From the little bit of info you've provided, it's a good news/bad news situation (it's never all good news with BC is it?). Negative nodes is very good news because it means that the cancer did not spread to your lymph nodes. Grade 3 is not so good because it's "high" grade meaning the cells are highly disorganized and aggressive. However, grade 3/dividing cells will respond better to chemo. Finally, vascular invasion means that there is evidence of blood vessel involvement. The problem with BC is that it's sneaky and travels in more than one way (through the lymph nodes or the blood vessels). I have a feeling that chemo is being suggested for you based on the Grade 3 and vascular invasion because they will want to ensure that if any cells escaped, they kill them before they can establish themselves anywhere else.

    I remember looking at my oncologist in horror and saying "why in the world do I need chemo if I have clear margins and it's not in my lymph nodes?". She gently explained that for those of us with aggressive, high grade BC (even when it's early stage), they just don't have a way to determine if those cells got away and we can't take that chance. The other thing that can be really helpful is the Oncotype test-it's a genetic test that will give you a score that indicates your risk and can help you make a better decision about your need for chemo. If it comes back intermediate or high, you'll know for sure that chemo is necessary which is even more peace of mind.

    These decisions are never easy. I'm a year into treatment and please know that it really does get easier. You reach a point where it's less of a daily battle and you start to feel normal again. Do not feel rushed to make treatment decisions-you have time even though it may feel very urgent. Make sure that you feel comfortable with what you are doing.

    Edited to add: you asked about the timeframe for chemo-my understanding from what my MO told me is that it is recommended that you start chemo within 6-8 weeks of your surgery date for maximum effectiveness.

    Wishing you all the best!

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  • Deb267
    Deb267 Member Posts: 46
    edited December 2011

    My er+/pr* her2- by the way how do I add this to the bottom of my post the way I see on others?

    I found out Today I am not a candidate for balloon radiation the area is on the outside of my breast near the arm pit not enough space for the balloon. bummer. But another thing has popped up I have been researching tonight. I have axillary cording beginning, right now seems to be just one area extending from the axillary scar to mid way my inner arm,not much info out there about this. I have not talked to my surgeon about this yet. Ihad good movement of my arm until this popped up 2-3 days ago, now painful to extend my arm. Thanks for the responses it really helps to talk to some that has been thru this. I will prob be Here a lot. I am a research person I believe in learning all I can.

    I meet with an oncologist Mon and another on Friday. The second is at the Mayo clinic in Jacksonville fla where I had my surg. I will have my radiation locally Mayo is 1 hour away. Not sure where I will do the chemo yet. Will decide after I speak to both this week. Just have to keep learning and keep moving forward. By the way I am 56 years old healthy except for fibromyalgia, that was the only thing I was worried about before this week. I have to be active or the fibro takes over. I went back to work 5 days after my surg. So far going well I am a nurse and work for the VA In a primary care clinic they have been great.

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  • dragonfly1
    dragonfly1 Member Posts: 766
    edited December 2011

    Deb267 Wow-what a small world! I work for the VA too (in a medical center on Long Island)! I'm a social worker in the ER and on inpatient medicine. I work evenings/weekends in order to provide social work coverage during the hours when the rest of my service is not here. The staff at my VA have been incredibly supportive too-great group of people:) And my sister is a nurse at another VA facility in MA!

    If you want to add your ER/PR/Her2 info, etc. just click on your profile name at the top of the screen and it will take you to your profile page. Then just start filling in the diagnosis information and save it when you are done. It will start appearing on your future posts.

    I have not had the cording/lymphedema issue but it is a common risk after surgery. I know that there are separate forums dedicated to it if you search (under Lymphedema). I think the most important thing is that if you see a PT, make sure they are certified to work with cording/lymphedema. I found this link about axillary cording:  

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm

    and this one for finding a certified lymphedema therapist:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    Hope that helps a little bit. Good luck with your appointments next week!

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