breast cancer stages

My sister had a biopsy last week and was told she had invasive lobular breast cancer.  She was told it was in stage 1 and was slow-growing.  Doesn't stage 1 mean that the cancer hasn't gone outside the breast?  Do they know this solely by the tissue gathered by the biopsy?  Don't they need to do an MRI, CAT scan and/or blood test to be able to tell that the cancer hasn't gone to the other breast or any other part of the body?  She has an appt. with her surgeon this week.  Does anybody have any helpful advice on what kinds of specific questions to ask the surgeon (other than general questions regarding treatment options, etc...)?  ANY WISDOM/ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!  :)

[LEH]

Hi worried sis,
I can only talk from my recent experience, where my fiance was diagnosed with Stage III at the time of biopsy.  So, your sister seems to have caught it early.   Are they sure it is "slow growing?"   Does your sister have earlier mammograms to compare the rate of growth to?   I would not wait one more dau if I were she.   Don't let sit back thinking she has all the time she needs to decide on the next step.  Time is never on the side of the patient.  I wish your sister the best.  Peace.  Lance

[worried sis]

THANKS LANCE!  SHE ALREADY HAS AN APPT WITH A SURGEON (VERY WELL RESPECTED).  I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE TYPE OF CANCER IT IS (INVASIVE LOBULAR).  GOOD LUCK TO YOUR FIANCE.  I'LL KEEP GOOD THOUGHTS AND SAY MANY PRAYERS!

[cyn17]

Here is the definition of Stage 1:

Stage I ,T1, N0, M0:: The primary (original) cancer is 2 cm (approximately 4/5 inch) or less in diameter and has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage I breast cancer treatment usually consists of:

Breast conserving therapy (BCT): lumpectomy (removal of cancerous lump and Small margin of surrounding normal tissue) and axillary node dissection (removal of underarm lymph nodes) followed by radiation
Or modified radical mastectomy (removal of the affected breast) and axillary node dissection.

Good luck to your sister!!

[boninclyde]

cyn17 is correct. Prayers for your sister.

[worried sis]

Thanks for your answers, thoughts and prayers.  We met with the surgeon and found out her treatment.  My sister has invasive lobular cancer that is receptor positive.  She is having a lumpectomy, a sentinel node biopsy and if the sentinel node biopsy is positive, the axillary node procedure.  She then has to have chemo and then radiation.  Even if she has a mastectomy, she still has to have chemo.  She will also be treated with tamoxifen for approx 5 years.

Thanks again for all of your help!!!

[boninclyde]

How big of an area is it? Sometimes if it is extremely small and no node involvement you don't have to do chemo. I started my tamoxifen today. When is her lumpectomy? You can post on the doctors forum above and you will get more answers there.

[Desperatemother]

I work for a surgical oncologist so if you have any questions let me know. You will know more once the final pathology comes back from the lumpectomy surgery. I wish you and sister the best of luck and let me know if I can help in any way.

Tracy

[gonza]

My mom had her masectomy 3 years ago and when they got in they also had to remove several lymph nodes under her arm as well.  she did chemo for 3 months then 7 weeks of radiation.  She is wonderful now.  She is about to go in and have the other breast removed just for safety measures and possibly have reconstruction.  We'll see.  I know it is hard and overwhelming now but it will get better.  Be there for your sister.  I know my mom was the strongest throughout her treatment.  Good luck!