Strange question.. (probably save it for the oncologist)

taleena
taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
When they decide what size the mass is, do they base it off of the MRI or Ultra Sound report, or the pathology report from the biopsy (if it's removed) or the lumpectomy?

Does anyone know...

Thanks

~T

Comments

  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #2
    T, I believe it's based on

    T, I believe it's based on the most complete information that they would have: either the biopsy if they removed it all, or the lumpectomy if a portion was removed then. I don't think that an MRI would give them enough information, since a portion of the mass could be invasive cancer and the rest something else like DCIS or atypical hyperplasia.

    Joyce
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #3
    The final size of my tumor
    was based on the pathology report after its removal during surgery. Lynn
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #4
    Hi T~
    The lumpectomy. You will get a path report a few days after the lumpectomy. It will show everything you need to know about the tumor (size, grade etc) to determine what treatment you need. I am asuming that they will do a centinal node biopsy at the same time they do the lumpectomy.

    Hope this helps a little. Its been almost 6 yrs for me. Things have changed. As far as testing for HER2 etc. I hope someone will chim in and correct me if this is wrong or if they know something further on the HER2 testing.

    Hugs
    Jadie<3
  • Kayla1
    Kayla1 Member Posts: 101
    #5
    Jadie said:

    Hi T~
    The lumpectomy. You will get a path report a few days after the lumpectomy. It will show everything you need to know about the tumor (size, grade etc) to determine what treatment you need. I am asuming that they will do a centinal node biopsy at the same time they do the lumpectomy.

    Hope this helps a little. Its been almost 6 yrs for me. Things have changed. As far as testing for HER2 etc. I hope someone will chim in and correct me if this is wrong or if they know something further on the HER2 testing.

    Hugs
    Jadie<3</p>

    T,
    It is definitely
    T,
    It is definitely determined after lumpectomy (centinal node biopsy is done at the same time as lumpectomy). My biopsy came back at 1.4cm and I thought that's not so bad. After surgery, path came back 2.5cm. My doc said the biopsy is only taking samples of the mass, it's the surgery that determines the whole picture.
    K
  • cwestbro
    cwestbro Member Posts: 15
    #6
    I'm not 100% sure, but when
    I'm not 100% sure, but when I had my ultra sound I know they measured the tumors. I don't know if they can on the MRI or not?
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #7
    cwestbro said:

    I'm not 100% sure, but when
    I'm not 100% sure, but when I had my ultra sound I know they measured the tumors. I don't know if they can on the MRI or not?

    They can't tell the exact
    They can't tell the exact size of any tumor until after surgery and the pathology report gives you that information. Cause you could have IDCS and nothing can show how involved it is until it is removed and they get clean margins.
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #8
    jnl said:

    They can't tell the exact
    They can't tell the exact size of any tumor until after surgery and the pathology report gives you that information. Cause you could have IDCS and nothing can show how involved it is until it is removed and they get clean margins.

    They base the size of your
    They base the size of your tumor after your surgery. It will be in your pathology report, if

    you have it. And, your oncologist or plastic surgeon will explain it too. And, everyone

    should always get a copy of their path report and read it over carefully, and, have it

    explained to you.

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