Extranodal Extension of metastatic tumor in sentinel lymph node

Here is what I have learned: Any size DCIS is considered Stage 0, so for staging purposes only the IDC 1.3 primary tumor is relevant. A node tumor the size of mine is unusual given the non-aggressive, Grade 1 nature and small size of my primary tumor. So unusual, that we ordered a biopsy of the nodal tumor, to see if it was the same cancer. And it turned out to be the exact same. I had a Mammaprint done, which identified my cancer as low risk, Luminal A, so no chemo. My docs tell me that the sizable tumor in my node is unusual given all the rest of my situation, but not impossible. Just really bad luck, possibly because my primary tumor has been around for a very, very long time. And everyone keeps shrugging off the Extranodal extension, calling it “minimal”. The most conservative treatment recommended to me has been radiation for six weeks, plus 5-10 years of AI. The radiation will cover the breast, underarm, plus the entire chest area below my collarbone, to include all the relevant nodes. One doctor recommended that a smaller area be irradiated, but I am spooked enough that I chose the more conservative approach. Also, I have had imaging examinations of my chest and abdomen, and it all looks clear. I’ll be starting radiation in a week. I don’t like hearing that my cancer is “unusual” or behaving in surprising ways, that there was a tiny chance of sizable nodal involvement and yet there it was, but it is what it is. I hope tostay on the good side of the odds going forward.