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 stages

by worried sis, Nov 20, 2006 12:00AM
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!!!  :)
Member Comments (8)

by LEH, Nov 20, 2006 12:00AM
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

by worried sis, Nov 20, 2006 12:00AM
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!

by cyn17, Nov 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: Worried sis
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!!

by boninclyde, Nov 20, 2006 12:00AM
To: Worried sis
cyn17 is correct. Prayers for your sister.

by worried sis, Nov 22, 2006 12:00AM
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!!!

by boninclyde, Nov 23, 2006 12:00AM
To: worried sis
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.

by Desperatemother, Nov 26, 2006 12:00AM
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

by gonza, Nov 27, 2006 12:00AM
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!
Related discussions
Post Comment
To
Comment
Post Comment
Recent Activity
nikki0207 needing to know more about crohn's dr thinks that is my ...
nikki0207 added the Crohn's/Ulcerative Colitis Tracker...
4 hrs ago
drifter0213 commented on NFL week 11 Results! ...
6 hrs ago
trina45 is trying to stay positive
peekawho walked 9 miles today.
Heatherm4 Should have got opk's for this cycle! Confused!!
Heatherm4 commented on OMG
12 hrs ago
ita17 10DPO.............starting to get IMPATIENT!!!
RSS Expert Activity
What You Don't Know About Breathing...
19 hrs ago by Steven Y Park, MD
Thanksgiving
Nov 23 by Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician
Snoring As Your Internal Smoke Alar...
Nov 22 by Steven Y Park, MD
Community Members