Chemo or not

I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinomam and have had a lumpectomy..the lump which was removed during the biopsy was 1.4cm...when I had the lumpectomy there was no more cancer found and the lymph nodes were clear that were removed during the sentinel node biopsy.  I am going to see the onclogist next week .  Should I have a short round of chemo...or just radiation...how dangerous is this type of cancer compared to the ductal type.  I know that it is rarer..only 10% of women compared to 75%.....my general health is good.  I am in the midst of menopause..it comes and goes....thanks for your help.  I am feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Son Seeker:  In general, there is not much difference in treating ductal vs. lobular cancers.  Radiation therapy is done anytime there has been a lumpectomy.  Whether to do chemotherapy depends upon the size of the tumor (usually over 1cm) as well as other factors such as histology, ER/PR status, lymph nodes, age and health of the patient, etc.  Hopefully, your meeting with the oncologist will help to clarify these issues as they pertain to you.

[surgeon]

As was said, the treatment is the same for lobular or ductal cancer; however, there's some data to suggest that lobular acts a bit better. It's less aggressive often than ductal. Nevertheless, parameters for deciding when to use chemo are essentially the same. It's really a statistical thing; what you describe has a very high chance of cure with radiation alone. Yet given large numbers of women, a few more will be cured if they have chemo also. The problem is that the numbers aren't huge, and there's not yet a way to tell which of those many women are among the few who will be helped.

[Son Seeker]

Thanks so much for your comments...they are very helpful.  In the midst of all this uncertainty..one thing is sure....I know I am in the Lord's hands...