Pathology Report

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zivagirl
zivagirl Member Posts: 19
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Newbie here.....and hearing the words: Breast Cancer has left my mind in a state of confusion.

Can anyone help me understand the path reports I just rec'd which in part reads:

Two focal of intraductal carcinoma associated with intraluminal microcalcificaton - moderate chronic inflammatory response to both foci of intraductal carcinoma - remaining fatty brast tissue with a 0.2 cm cyst with fibrotic wall. Infiltrating carcinoma NOT identified. Comedo type with central calcification. Volume of tumor is less than 5%. Lymph vascular and perineural involvement invasion are not applicable. Block A to be sent for estrogen and progesterone receptor makers.

Breast Nurse indicated I have very low stage DCIS, however the words breast cancer/low grade don't seem to go together. Thanks to everyone for your input!!

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  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #2
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    I am not a doctor but
    It does read like you have DCIS. But, be sure and have your oncologist explain this thoroughly to you to make sure you understand it.

    Mine said I had invasive and that I was ER and PR +.

    Good luck to you!

    Hugs, Diane
  • HeartofSoul
    HeartofSoul Member Posts: 729 Member
    #3
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    breast cancer/low grade do
    breast cancer/low grade do go together. you sound like you have stage 0 or 1 (early stage) and a low grade is a slow growing cancer. It could take months or yrs for tumor to grow depending on path report data. for example you 0.2 cm may grow to 0.4 cm in X amount of months. 1 CM is under 1/2 inch. It takes 10 mm to make 1 cm.

    0.2cm cyst is very small ( 1 cm = just under a 1/2 inch so yours is about an 1/8"

    Lymph vascular and perineural involvement invasion are not applicable is very good news as as far as they can see, there is no evidence of tumors in lymphatic system

    Perineural Involvement means that nerve tissue is affected or invaded but your report did not indicate that. I have heard that some had the nerve bundles removed when it was detected.

    I would want to know what Infiltrating carcinoma they are speaking of as its NOT been identified thus far.

    MRI Measurements of Breast Tumor Volume Predict Response. MRI tumor volume was more predictive of recurrence-free survival (RFS) than tumor diameter, suggesting that volumetric changes measured using MRI may provide a more sensitive assessment of treatment efficacy.

    The term, ductal In situ (DCIS), refers to a family cancers that occur in the breast ducts
    There are two categories of DCIS: non-comedo and comedo. The term, comedo, describes the appearance of the cancer. When comedo type breast tumors are cutCuts and puncture wounds, the dead cells inside of them (necrosis) can be expressed out just like a comedo or blackhead on the skin. Comedo type DCIS tends to be more aggressive than the non-comedo types of DCIS.
  • SamuraiMom
    SamuraiMom Member Posts: 295
    #4
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    Hang in there...
    Learning Greek takes time. :)

    Just make sure you have your doctor explain it to you until you fully understand it. If he can't do that for you, you may want to go for a second opinion and find another doctor that communicates in another way that is more comfortable for you.

    It's hard enough to go through this putting your trust in a complete stranger.

    The thing is, you and this stranger need to speak the same language. :)

    Good luck!

    Welcome to the site! It was the best thing that happened to me when I was diagnosed with DCIS early July 2009.

    xxoo,
    SamuraiMom
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #5
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    HeartofSoul said:

    breast cancer/low grade do
    breast cancer/low grade do go together. you sound like you have stage 0 or 1 (early stage) and a low grade is a slow growing cancer. It could take months or yrs for tumor to grow depending on path report data. for example you 0.2 cm may grow to 0.4 cm in X amount of months. 1 CM is under 1/2 inch. It takes 10 mm to make 1 cm.

    0.2cm cyst is very small ( 1 cm = just under a 1/2 inch so yours is about an 1/8"

    Lymph vascular and perineural involvement invasion are not applicable is very good news as as far as they can see, there is no evidence of tumors in lymphatic system

    Perineural Involvement means that nerve tissue is affected or invaded but your report did not indicate that. I have heard that some had the nerve bundles removed when it was detected.

    I would want to know what Infiltrating carcinoma they are speaking of as its NOT been identified thus far.

    MRI Measurements of Breast Tumor Volume Predict Response. MRI tumor volume was more predictive of recurrence-free survival (RFS) than tumor diameter, suggesting that volumetric changes measured using MRI may provide a more sensitive assessment of treatment efficacy.

    The term, ductal In situ (DCIS), refers to a family cancers that occur in the breast ducts
    There are two categories of DCIS: non-comedo and comedo. The term, comedo, describes the appearance of the cancer. When comedo type breast tumors are cutCuts and puncture wounds, the dead cells inside of them (necrosis) can be expressed out just like a comedo or blackhead on the skin. Comedo type DCIS tends to be more aggressive than the non-comedo types of DCIS.

    Have you had your surgery
    Have you had your surgery yet? I am kind of confused. My oncologist went over my path report the next day after my lumpectomy, after I saw the plastic surgeon.

    He will explain all of this to you. Let us know.

    Sue :)
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #6
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    SamuraiMom said:

    Hang in there...
    Learning Greek takes time. :)

    Just make sure you have your doctor explain it to you until you fully understand it. If he can't do that for you, you may want to go for a second opinion and find another doctor that communicates in another way that is more comfortable for you.

    It's hard enough to go through this putting your trust in a complete stranger.

    The thing is, you and this stranger need to speak the same language. :)

    Good luck!

    Welcome to the site! It was the best thing that happened to me when I was diagnosed with DCIS early July 2009.

    xxoo,
    SamuraiMom

    Agree with everyone that has posted
    Your Oncologist or Breast Cancer Specialist will translate what your path report is stating. Please make sure you are comfortable with your doctor, his staff and medical facility .. I went for a second opinion, and stayed with that doctor. I made the best decision. No doubt!

    Your world has been turned upside down .. take a deep breath, cry if you need to.

    We are here for you -- 24/7.

    Best of Luck ..

    VickiSam
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #7
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    VickiSam said:

    Agree with everyone that has posted
    Your Oncologist or Breast Cancer Specialist will translate what your path report is stating. Please make sure you are comfortable with your doctor, his staff and medical facility .. I went for a second opinion, and stayed with that doctor. I made the best decision. No doubt!

    Your world has been turned upside down .. take a deep breath, cry if you need to.

    We are here for you -- 24/7.

    Best of Luck ..

    VickiSam

    Everyone is right. When is
    Everyone is right. When is your oncologist's appointment? We aren't oncologist's and really shouldn't even attempt to tell you what your path report means.

    We are here for support, encouragement and help, so, please keep posting.

    Good luck!
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #8
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    Megan M said:

    Everyone is right. When is
    Everyone is right. When is your oncologist's appointment? We aren't oncologist's and really shouldn't even attempt to tell you what your path report means.

    We are here for support, encouragement and help, so, please keep posting.

    Good luck!

    also
    Also ask them to do a HER2 test on the tissue as well as the Estrogen and Progesterone.

    Best of luck.
    Hugs,
    Margo
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #9
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    tommaseena said:

    also
    Also ask them to do a HER2 test on the tissue as well as the Estrogen and Progesterone.

    Best of luck.
    Hugs,
    Margo

    You have good advice. Have
    You have good advice. Have your oncologist explain everything to you. And, if you are not satisfied with him, always get a second opinion. Many on here have.

    And, Margo is right too. Be sure and get the HER2 test and the ER and PR test.

    Luck, Angie

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