extranodal extension breast cancer

[Susangps]

In the axillary dissection,  1 node was removed.  It was ER+(+3), PR+(+3), HER2+(+2).  How serious is the cancer?  what stage is it in?  Tumor in node was 1.9cm.  Dr did  not remove any more nodes as originally planned, instead noted on report: metastatic disease in axillary tct, extranodal.          

What would be treatment for this and what is survival rate?                    

[katarina777]

correction: i didn't state this clearly; yes, the cancer has spread into the extranodal tissue but so had mine and it was not at stage 4 because of this. with me about 15 nodes were cancerous and they were sticking to nerves and in the outside fat tissue and some stuck together, etc.

[katarina777]

Even though the path report says: ' metastatic disease in axillary tct, extranodal.' that does not mean that your cancer has progressed to stage 4, or metastatic cancer. It said the same in my surgery report, and  the word 'metastatic; was also used. my cancer was a 3C.  (you need to ask your doctor about the staging and the final answer will come with the surgery) At this point nobody knows if your cancer has spread elsewhere beyond the lymph nodes, and/or outside the lymph nodes into the nearby tissue.

Possibly, your surgeon stopped finishing the lymph node dissection , because he feels you may benefit from chemotherapy first and before surgery. I do not know this and you have to  ask, but it is a possibility, and also one that was used with me.     This way your cancer will have a chance to shrink, and any outside spread that may be present, contained.

(If scanning is used to find out about spread, this is useful to find up if cancer shown up on those tests elsewhere. it is not useful if the results are negative because that does not mean they are, as microscopic cells seldomly show up on scans)  

The point is that your surgeon and oncologist may know a lot that they need to discuss with you at this point, but it doesn't mean that they have the full picture yet either? I hope you will do OK, Katrin  

[japdip]

Most of the answers you seek must come from your Oncologist. Cancer is Cancer and it is all serious. Since this was termed "metastatic" then it has come from a primary cancer in another location such as the breast. The only thing I can offer regarding treatment is that since the tumor is ER/PR and Her2 positive; there will be some hormonal therapy as well as Herceptin after the primary treatment (?? Surgery, Radiation, Chemotherapy). As I stated previously; take a list of all your questions and concerns when you see the Oncologist.    Kindest regards ....