Distant recurrence rate

I have IDC. I was diagnosed in September 2011 and just finished my last TAC treatment yesterday. My tumor was 2.4 cm and I had one lymph node involved. I just had a post statement MRI and my tumor has shrunk to 18 mm and the lymph node cannot be seen anymore. I have a bilateral mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy scheduled for 2/08. after my surgery (if they find more nodes impacted I might have to do radiation first) I will be one tamoxifen for 5 years.



My breast surgeon told me that the Chance of me having a local recurrence was under 1%. I asked her what the chances were of a distant recurrence and she said that was more of a question for my oncologist. Problem is, next time I see her it will be after my surgery. Probably nota bad thing because by then she will have all the pathology from the surgery and will be able to give me a better answer.



But..... Does anyone have any idea? It wasn't until recently that I realized these were two separate numbers.



Thanks,

Kate