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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
need help understanding pathology report
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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.
need help understanding pathology report
by chancleta, Oct 16, 2007 10:58AM
help with interpretation of path report
as follows:
Right breast
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (2.1) grade 3 located in the upper outer quadrant with peritumorial lymphatic invasion. and extending to 1mm from the deep margin and 2mm from the anterior magin.
Dutal carcinoma in situ focally extratumorial ( primarily localized to the main tumor mass with separate focus in the inner lower quadrant) high grade, located 5mm from the closest deep margin.
er, pr positive her-2 negative sentinel nodes negative.
Not understanding statement peritumorial lymphatic invasion... confused is there or is there not lymph node invasion? How does this differ from sentinel node?
I had changed my mind from original plan for lumpectomy and chose bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Left breast prophlactic. I am assuming this was a wise choice in the end due to the unexpected dx. of DCIS in addition to the known tumor prior to surgery. thanks.
as follows:
Right breast
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (2.1) grade 3 located in the upper outer quadrant with peritumorial lymphatic invasion. and extending to 1mm from the deep margin and 2mm from the anterior magin.
Dutal carcinoma in situ focally extratumorial ( primarily localized to the main tumor mass with separate focus in the inner lower quadrant) high grade, located 5mm from the closest deep margin.
er, pr positive her-2 negative sentinel nodes negative.
Not understanding statement peritumorial lymphatic invasion... confused is there or is there not lymph node invasion? How does this differ from sentinel node?
I had changed my mind from original plan for lumpectomy and chose bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Left breast prophlactic. I am assuming this was a wise choice in the end due to the unexpected dx. of DCIS in addition to the known tumor prior to surgery. thanks.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Oct 16, 2007 03:43PM
, Oct 16, 2007 03:43PM
Dear chancleta: The pathology report indicates that there is an invasive component (infiltrating ductal carcinoma) and a non-invasive component (ductal carcinoma in situ) to your breast cancer. It is the invasive part that will dictate most of the treatment recommendations. Peritumoral lymphatic invasion means that there was evidence of invasion of cancer cells in the lymphatic vessels around the tumor. It is not the same thing as a positive lymph node. This finding sometimes indicates that there is a higher chance of cancer spreading to the lymph nodes , although it appears that in your case the sentinel lymph nodes were not involved. Being ER and PR positive suggests that this is a hormone sensitive cancer that may benefit from an anti-hormonal treatment. You should discuss the pathology findings with you physician including what it means in terms of further treatment recommendations.
I am 6 days post surgery. Surgeon left for vacation the day I was released from the hospital and will not return until next week at which time I would assume she will refer me to an onocologist.
All I have been told by Surgeon and PCP is that chemo will be require due to the grade 3 and my age.
I would not have know anything more execpt for obtaining a copy of my report.
I am premenopausal/ perimenopausal ( in my 40's) so from what I gather the chemo will put me into menopause.
Will the grade 3 require a more agressive chemo or is that insignificant.
My mother also had BC at the same age as myself and passed away 8 yrs ago .... 17yrs. post diagnosis from brain mets she initially had mastectomy, then radiation, chemo, tamoxifen. I had the genetic testing done but it was negative.
I also have 4 daughters so my concerns are primarily that they gain as much info knowledge as possible.