Staging before mastectomy

Nett29
Nett29 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed

Hi. I was diagnosed with breast cancer via fine needle aspiration. Mammogram, sonar and MRI results highly suspicious. Dr has suggested bilateral mastectomy. I would like to know what stage I am, but he says can only be done after biopsy taken during operation. What about blood tests? And I thought MR can detect stage.

Would appreciate advice Tnx

Nett29

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Comments

  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited February 2014

    They can only speculate on stage until all tests are done.  Usually they tell you what stage they think you are but remind you that could change.  Why did he recommend BMX?  Do you know how big the tumor is?

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  • Nett29
    Nett29 Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2014

    Hi Maria

    Tnx for replying so soon. Tumor right is definitely CA. Not sure about one on left. Would be preventative. He wants to do biopsy first, but that means extra cost and anesthesia twice. I am pretty sure I would rather do BMX. Dont know size. Requested test results, but did not receive it yet and he did not mention size. I see him tomorrow and will then ask. I am very concerned about metastatis. But he says it involves a lot of tests and also lymph nodes biopsy. 

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited February 2014

    You did n't mention the type of BC you are dealing with.  That makes some difference in the suggestions for TX plan.  

    Stage can not be determined until after surgery for an absolute.  Drs can, at least some times, give a very good 'educated guess' before surgery but it is not.absolute and open for change.

    What TX plan ( other than surgery) is planned?  This can tell you a lot of what is expected.  Have you yet had an MRI or PET scan?  This should give you ideas as to rather there are mets or not.

     

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  • vbishop
    vbishop Member Posts: 616
    edited February 2014

    My pathology report on the initial breast biopsies listed three tumors with my largest tumor at 1.9 cm.  Cancer was suspected to be stage 2a at best.  Post surgery pathology reports show 6 tumors (two in situ), largest tumor at 17 mm.  Final stage....drumroll please....1a.  Huge difference.  I have heard it can go the other way as well.  Grading and hormone sensitivity was accurate in the original biopsy, but size and staging were definitely wrong.  Also, the pathology on my "non-cancerous" breast showed signs of pre-cancer.  Best decision we made by having bilateral mastectomy!!


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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited February 2014

    Net29,

    My regular Dr. & surgeon were pro lumpectomy...I went in to surgery stage 1, came out stage 3. I can still get a mx if I chose. Still in shock that I had 6 nodes cancerous, & yes I did get yearly mammos & Dr. Exams...

    I never got a MRI, do not think they can tell if you have cancerous nodes. They should be able to see approximately the size of your tumor. Ask questions, there is a thread on BCO on the subject of mx or lx.  

    Good luck to you, keep posting, it helps with the stress & anxiety

    Just looked again at your post, when they did your fine needle biopsy, did they punch your sentinel node? I had that done, so I knew then that I had one node with cancer, I thought that was standard, but maybe not.. 

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited February 2014

    Nettie,

    As others have said, a biopsy and imaging suggest preliminary staging. Final staging is done on tissue removed either during mastectomy or lumpectomy. These results can differ from the results of the biopsy. There is no blood or other test that determines final,staging. I would also consider getting a second opinion as this can help confirm/clarify what is already known. Best of luck to you

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited February 2014

    netty,

    i am sorry that you are hear. but this is such a nice supportive group.

    MX is very invasive, try to find out more before you do BMX. i asked my onco about blood test to detect cancer and it's old news which is not a reliable method. biopsy is the only way to find out the characteristics of the cancer cells. and you need to have your sentinel nodes checked out if there's any nodes involvement. 

    staging at this point is not reliable. i also went in stage 1 or 2 and came out stage 3.

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