Results from biopsy today

Stage 0 means it's DCIS, which is an in-situ cancer, i.e. the cancer cells are all confined to the milk ducts of the breast and are not in the open breast tissue. Size has nothing to do with it - some DCIS is tiny (2mm is about as small as can be found) and some DCIS is spread through the ducts throughout the breast (I had two areas of DCIS totaling over 7cm).

For invasive cancer, size does count. Any invasive cancer that is 2cm or smaller in size, with no more than micromets to the nodes (nodal involvement of less than 2mm) will be Stage I.

With the new staging guidelines issued last year, there is an alternate staging methodology that takes into account the pathology of the cancer. Under Pathological Staging, larger tumors will be considered Stage I if they have a favorable pathology and hormone status.

As for chemo, there are lots of factors that go into the decision on whether chemo is recommended. With the exception of Stage 0, which never requires chemo, Stage is not one of the factors. Many women who are Stage I and even some who are Stage II do not receive chemo.

Good luck with your results. Please let us know what happens.

I hope that you get benign results.

Mernzy, I just wanted to say how sorry I am you did not get the benign results you were hoping for. I was in your shoes last year and still remember all those feelings like it was yesterday. This week marked the one-year anniversary of my lumpectomy re-excision which was successful for clear margins. My guess is that the hold up is the results of testing they do to determine characteristics of the tumor, such as whether it is ER and/or PR positive or negative, and the HER2 status. My HER2 status was inconclusive after my biopsy, so they had to do further testing which prolonged that feeling of being in limbo. You will feel better when you have all those answers and start to plan your next steps. My advice is to ask specifically why a mastectomy is recommended and why lumpectomy is not an option so that you can make an informed decision. Lumpectomy is not always an option, but it often is. I was worried that because I actually had two cancerous areas that I would have to have a mastectomy also, but that wasn't the case. Hoping you get the rest of the answers soon so you can begin moving forward. Hugs and prayers and hang in there.

Aww, Mernzy, I am so sorry about your mom's passing so recently, and your husband's diagnosis. You have quite a bit on your plate already. You will find great support, advice, and information on this website, as well as a place just to vent or commiserate with others. Hang in there.