Lymphovascular Invasion

I've had the same questions so hoping for some great answers. I had lymphovascular invasion, but my tested lymph node was fine. My radiation oncologist did "whole breast" radiation because of the lymphovascular invasion.

My understanding is that this means that cancer cells had spread to the lymphatic and / or vascular system, but since the lymph node was clear, that it is "more likely"? that few of the cancer cells have left the breast area, but not sure.

Find out if your LVI is "focal" or extensive. Focal means close to the tumor. Studies vary on whether or not this makes a difference but I try to find comfort in the fact that mine was "focal" and that a mastectomy took care of it.

My understanding is that the concern is that LVI shows a tendency of your cancer's cells to "want to go somewhere," and the ability to do so. So in my understanding that also means that ability may apply to other cancer cells that slipped through. Apparently everyone has some cancer cells circulating but the immune system clears them and most cannot establish a home. LVI shows an ability to establish a home.

Others can correct me. That is just my understanding.