Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Early stage B/C and lymph node involvement
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Early stage B/C and lymph node involvement
by MissyMouse, May 05, 2004 12:00AM
Is there a difference in the treatment of early stage breast cancer stage 1 small tumor(invasive ductal carc., grade 3, .7cm, ER/PR-, Her2-) without node involvment versus early stage B/C with one node involved (invasive ductal carc., grade 3, .7cm, ER/PR-, Her2-)?
Would the survival rates be different and if so what would the difference be between the two?
Would the survival rates be different and if so what would the difference be between the two?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, May 05, 2004 12:00AM
Dear MissyMouse, The status of the lymph nodes is taken into account as part of the staging. Having a positive lymph node (cancer cells found within a node) would change the stage to stage 2A (based on the above information). This would influence the recommendations regarding adjuvant treatment (treatment given after surgery to try to prevent or minimize the growth of microscopic deposits of tumor cells that might grow into a recurrent tumor) and adjuvant chemotherapy would likely be recommended. Whereas if the lymph node is negative and with a small tumor (.7cm) treatment beyond local therapy (mastectomy or lumpectomy and radiation therapy) may not be needed. Decisions about adjuvant therapy are based on such information as tumor size, lymph node status, other features of the tumor, hormone receptor status, as well as a patient's overall health.
The survival rates do change somewhat based on stage, however, they are very difficult to use to make predictions for an individual patient. Survival rates use information from large groups of patients, recieving various types of treatment and are very general. In other words, statistics provide a guideline only. They help to guide treatment decisions. They are NOT meant to be applied to individuals.
The survival rates do change somewhat based on stage, however, they are very difficult to use to make predictions for an individual patient. Survival rates use information from large groups of patients, recieving various types of treatment and are very general. In other words, statistics provide a guideline only. They help to guide treatment decisions. They are NOT meant to be applied to individuals.
