Extracapsular Extension

Hi, I am interested in those of you with ILC are also aware of a pathology report that identified 'microscopic extensions' from any positive lymph node. This may be phrased as ECE (Extra Capsular Extensions) as well. These tubular marching cells are seen moving out of the Lymph node but not in the vessel to the next node. Nope, they have busted out the side wall of the node and are infiltrating into the fatty area of the breast tissue. As I understand it, it is a marker for a higher incidence of metastasis to the chest wall, Axillary area, and Supra clavicular nodes. I have one research article (very scientific) to share and am interested in any information you may be able to add. 

I am a retired biochemical/signal transduction researcher so any MD's or PhD's are welcome to share thoughts too. 

Thanks in advance. -Kim S.

Also from Bloomington, IN

Kim this is an old thread which no one had posted on for a year. You might get more response by starting a new thread.

Kim, I also had extracapsular extension, and it's the primary reason I did RT on top of an mx & chemo.  I didn't know it beforehand, but I was told by one of the rad therapists during my course of txs that RT is excellent at going after those young, immature and confused cancer cells -- the ones that are growing out of the node.  And my BS continues to monitor me with MRIs every other year (in addition to annual mammos).   Extracapsular extension is scary, but I'm grateful it got me very aggressive tx.  

So sorry you have reason to be here, but I'm glad you've found BCO!   (((Hugs)))  Deanna

hi, i had more than 8 nodes psitive with extracapsular extn and i,m very scared, i just finished 3 weeks of radio.I would like some information thanks aisha

Thanks Momine my name mean life in arabic/, someone told me that milk cofee and tea is bad for breast cancer but i can,t give up my tea and cofee yet  

I haven't posted in a while, just doing a lot of browsing, but I am curious about this as well. It is surprisingly difficult to find much helpful information on "Dr. Google".

My Path report shows 6/7 nodes, but a few more small ones lit up on my PET, so I am a little on the staging fence. What I am curious about is th 3 cm. mass of ECE, which was "matted together".

What is the significance of this? My oncologist is wonderful, but she doesn't like to talk about prognosis, etc. She tells me that there is nothing to worry about as I am NED.

Thanks ladies!