TNBC and residual cancer chemo. Please share your experiences

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waytooanxiousmommy
waytooanxiousmommy Member Posts: 144

I got my pathology report and didn't have a PCR.

My report said:

original 1.9 cm tumor now 9 mm with 10% cellularity. Mostly IDC and a tiny bit of DCIS mixed in. Sentinel nodes had no cancer and margins were clear. No blood vessel or lymphatic invasion

I am bit bummed as I had hoped for more reduction. With TNBC it is scary. My ocologist is looking into clinical trials and Xeloda. I am excited that radiation will be only 3 weeks.

My residual cancer burden is R1

Please share your experiences around your treatment with residual cancer

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  • Walden1
    Walden1 Member Posts: 202
    edited May 2018

    way to anxious mommy-I received a report of moderate residual cancer (RCB 2). The pathology didn'tindicate a change in tumor size. It said residual IDC of 5% for one tumor and 15% in the other in a scattered pattern. Tumor also Shows treatment effect. The majority of each2cm tumor was DCIS. Is that what is meant by cellular?. No nodes, no lymphovascular invasion but substantial retraction artifact. My doctors feel this is a good report, better report than most ER positive tumors. Clear margins as well. They still want me to do radiation, although I had a mastectomy, because of the residual cancer and my age.

    I feel my report doesn't have as much detail as others I've seen in this forum, but not sure what I can do about it in Canada

  • Jennifer522
    Jennifer522 Member Posts: 254
    edited May 2018

    While I totally get being bummed you didn't get a PCR, a RCB of 1 is a very good prognosis! I was depressed for several days when I learned I had resdiual.

    I had 7mm left in breast but don't know my RCB. I have my path report but it was not listed on it nor the info I need to calculate it myself.

    I started Xeloda on Monday. I looked into the Keytruda trial everyone is buzzing about but saw you needed to have 1cm or more residual and/or cancer in lymph nodes.

  • waytooanxiousmommy
    waytooanxiousmommy Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2018

    Walden 1 Cellularity means how many cancer cells are in the tumor compared to healthy cells. In your case 5% and 15%. Its awesome that most of your leftover tumor is DCIS because that is extremely unlikely to spread!

    Jennifer522 I will be curious as to how you feel on Xeloda. How long will you be taking it for? I figure its in my future too. Have you looked into the TNBC vaccine trial? I was wondering about that one and my oncologist said it could be on the table for me. I am hazarding a guess that you are RCB1 as well given the tiny size of the leftover tumor? I think they base it on size and cellularity and I am not sure what else.



  • rdeesides
    rdeesides Member Posts: 459
    edited May 2018

    Mommy, do you have the NCT number of the Vaccine trial? I would like to check in to it.

    Rebekah

  • waytooanxiousmommy
    waytooanxiousmommy Member Posts: 144
    edited May 2018

    rdeesides. I don't have the number. I asked my Oncologist and she said it was available where I go and I am not sure if I would qualify. Here is a link which might help?

    https://www.precisionvaccinations.com/cancer-vacci...



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