Pathology not good

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sandy1200
sandy1200 Member Posts: 11
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Just received my results, AFTER having lumpectomy with reconstruction and a reduction/lift to the left.

Triple Negative

IDC Grade111, margins positive tumor abuts upon posterior surface. 0/2 nodes

My surgeon said there was nothing more to take, other than muscle so....waiting for Cancer Society to call and then decide to have chest wall/muscle removed or try first with rads.

Any thoughts?  Am really open for all therapies (traditional, non trad) and welcome all opinions

Thanks!

Sophies toy

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  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited April 2012

    Hi Sophiestoy.

    I'm so sorry you're going through this. That's a difficult situation and I wish I had some words of wisdom. As a matter of course, I recommend getting at least one more opinion before moving forward with anything. Most of us Triple Negs have Grade 3 tumors. It's the nature of the disease most often. Have they staged the cancer yet?

    Best of luck to you. Please lean on us here.

    Betty

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  • sandy1200
    sandy1200 Member Posts: 11
    edited April 2012

    LintRollerDerby, thanks for responding ,

     I am stage 2, but that is just due to tumor size.(2.6 cm)  I have not met with Onc yet. 

    It is the margins that bother me, the fascia was removed and tested positive, my surgeon said it LOOKED clear on the muscle but no guarantee microscopic cells were not present.

    Sophie

     edit. I have added my diagnosis on myprofile, but it doesn't show...hmmmm

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  • sandy1200
    sandy1200 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2012

    LintRollerDerby, thanks for responding ,

     I am stage 2, but that is just due to tumor size.(2.6 cm)  I have not met with Onc yet. 

    It is the margins that bother me, the fascia was removed and tested positive, my surgeon said it LOOKED clear on the muscle but no guarantee microscopic cells were not present.

    Sophie

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  • sandy1200
    sandy1200 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2012

    I am wondering if anyone here had fascia removed? What about chest wall?

    Thanks in advance for any replies. Smile

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  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited April 2012

    Sophie,

    I'm glad to hear that there is no node involvement. I can understand your concern for the margins. I wish I had more to offer as far as that goes, but I don't have any experience with it. Hopefully someone will be along before too long who can help with your questions. You're in my thoughts.

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited April 2012

    sophiestoy: Sorry your pathology report was not more positive. I know I was pretty terrified when I read mine - and I know there are other women here who experienced the same. 

    I had a 1 mm margin from the posterior, and fascia was taken. I was told that was as much as they could do, surgically. I had extra rad boosts following my chemo and rads. I also had one node affected (and second surgery to remove the nodes) and lymphovascular invasion, also negative news. But so far so good. 

    I don't know if they can re-excise chest wall muscle, given the dirty margin in your case. I would suggest getting a few opinions on that. And talk to an RO too.    

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  • sandy1200
    sandy1200 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2012

    Thanks again Betty! I appreciate you reply Smile

    Luah, that is encouraging for me. I feared the dreaded chest muscle excision my BS mentioned. No muscle was taken initially , under the fascia the cells "looked grossly normal" .

    My BS said "I went as far as I could go." Microscopes are another issue.

    Rads were always on the table. Let's see if I can get lucky there. Day by day.....

    Thanks again. 

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  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited April 2012

    You're very welcome, Sophie. Smile

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  • pennylane
    pennylane Member Posts: 177
    edited April 2012

    Hi Sophie...It's been over 6-years since surgery for me, but I remember having similar situation....Surgeon was concerned about chest wall muscle being involved...She did take a bit of that muscle and it was clean ...However the margin there was only 1mm...which troubled me...She tried to explain that the chest wall muscle contracts quickly and in a jerky fashion when cut into and therefore I should not be upset about the tiny margin...The other margins were wide enough and she was confident with the results of her work...She is a bc surgeon out of MSK so have to think she has seen it all and truly knows her stuff!  From what I have read here, for some reason, triple neg often likes to rest in that area...yet seems most of us get by just fine with the lumpectomy, chemo and rads...I just know you will too, Best wishes, P

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  • sandy1200
    sandy1200 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2012

    Hi pennylane,

    Thank you Thank you Thank you Smile

    Today I awoke short on hope, only to find your post. It means the world to as I am free falling at this point, waiting for an oncologist  to contact me, my mind is cluttered with questions, fears and of course the bogeyman. LOL . I have researched extensively but as you probably know that in itself can be overwhelming and daunting.

    Thank you for making such a positive impact in my day.  You are an angel.

    Much gratitude

    Sophie

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