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CoComedy
CoComedy Member Posts: 38
edited February 2018 in Just Diagnosed

Hello again. Just a few questions....

#1. Will I know the “grade” of my cancer from the biopsy? Or, do I need to wait until the tumor is removed for that info? So far, I do know it measures 2.3cm, ER/PR+ HER2-

#2. Can a breast MRI tell if there is lymph node involvement? Or again, do I wait for surgery for this info?

I am talking to my SO this week. Likely she will have the answers. Just wondering if there are any other questions to ask her.

Thanks!

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited February 2018

    Hi!

    Yes, you should know the grade of your cancer from the biopsy. A breast MRI can show suspicious nodes, but no scan is perfect. You might not know about compromised nodes until surgery.

    There are several questions you could ask your surgeon, but they might depend on your surgical choice. For example, if you're opting for a mastectomy, you might want to ask about reconstruction and possible plastic surgeons. Or, if you want to go flat, you need to make sure that your surgeon doesn't leave extra skin for reconstruction. I opted for a lumpectomy, and didn't really have that many questions.

    ((Hugs))

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  • Runrcrb
    Runrcrb Member Posts: 577
    edited February 2018

    If I remember correctly, grade comes later.

    Breast MRI does not answer the lymph node question. My breast surgeon ordered an MRI to determine if there were other ares that needed biopsy prior to surgery. He warned me that the MRI often identifies areas to biopsy and those can often be benign - basically warned me that we might have a few things to worry about in the short term but not in the long term. In my case, the second breast was clear and we found a few other malignancies in the first breast, changing the surgical decision from lumpectomy to mastectomy.

    A sentinel node biopsy is how you determine lymph node involvement. After the MRI / results, if a mastectomy is recommended, ask your surgeon if you are a candidate for a nipple sparing mastectomy. If so, ask for a nipple delay / sentinel node biopsy procedure. My surgeon did that about 3 weeks prior to the mastectomy. Purpose - improves nipple survival. Bonus, you go into the mastectomy knowing lymph node involvement. It's outpatient surgery with (for me) easy recovery. I had it on a thursday and was back at work (desk job) on Monday.

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  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited February 2018

    Your biopsy may tell much of it, but final conclusion is during/after surgery. I was told at biopsy that it was Grade 1, IDC. After surgery it was still Grade 1 but it was ILC, and also showed DCIS and LCIS. That did not come up at biopsy and my area was 7mm. So the tiny bit they get during biopsy gives them a good idea, but for sure after surgery. Node also remained negative but they check for micromets that could go undetected by scans.



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  • CoComedy
    CoComedy Member Posts: 38
    edited February 2018

    Thanks Ladies! I’m obsessing about node involvement right now. Lol.

    I had one “suspicious” node biopsied that came back clean. Guess I just have to wait patiently to know for sure.

    I have a double mastectomy scheduled for April 4th. My surgeon did say we can do a nipple sparing surgery with reconstruction at the same time. It feels like I’ve already had a million appts with more to do over the next month. I feel very positive about things and know it will all work out. I just hate waiting!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2018

    And remember even + nodes doesn't mean "metastasized", it just means "invasive". Let us know how it goes!

    Hugs,

    Claire in AZ

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