Pathology Report - what to expect

[Sandzach]

I just received my biopsy report.  I have an appointment with a surgeon and want to know what to expect and if there are specific questions I should ask.  Does "comedo necrosis"  indicate a need for a particular treatment.  Thanks
Diagnosis - Right breast with calcifications, infiltrative ductal Carcinoma with predominant intraductal carcinoma component with comedo necrosis, Nottingham Grade 2
Biopsy breast without calcifications, intraducatal carcinoma with comedo necrosis, cytologic Grade 2

[lizziecee]

Hi - my biopsy report, before surgical intervention, said I had both cribriform and comedo types of DCIS, along with an invasive ductal tumour of 2 cm. Nobody told me this - I had to ask for the path report and then was perplexed by the terminology. My first Onc refused to discuss this with me, and my surgeon (who is great( told me they had resected all the DCIS along with the tumour. I guess I have to believe him. Just wish they had told me about it, or discussed the path report with me. It was like double dutch language and took me many months to figure it all out. I am now 3 years since dx and doing well. Just got a fuzzy brain and wished my doctors had told me what was happening along the way - I am not stupid.
Take care,
Liz.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Sandzach, Comedo necrosis is part of a description of the tumor tissue.  This infomation is considered along with other information about the tumor to assist in determining the proper treatment.  Comedo necrosis alone does not suggest a particular treatment.  Your doctor will be best able to give a complete interpretation of the pathology and treatment recommendations as they relate to you.