I keep meaning to ask my doctors, just seems I always forget, might be my
subconscious not wanting to know.
My original biopsy showed two tumors (Infiltrating lobular carcinoma with
focal closely associated infiltrating ductal carcinoma), with a total size
of 1.5x1.5x0.8 cm, The entire amount they took out was 2.9x2.5x1.4 cm, if
I'm reading this right. The margins were not clear and was followed up with
a lumpectomy removed 3.6x2.5x1.7 cm, again the margins were not clear.
Final Diagnosis stated:
1. Residual infiltrating ductal carcinoma (0.6 CM), moderately
differentiated (tubles = 3 + nuclei = 2 + mitosis = 1 = 6), present at
surgical margin of resection
2. Residual ductal carcinoma in-situ, solid type, nuclear grade II of III,
present within less than 0.5 MM of surgical margin
Nodes were negative (good, good, good)
Biopsy stated well differentiated, this one states moderately
differentiated.
DNA Panel
ER = 93% (good, good, good)
HER-s/neu = Normal limit (good, good, good)
Ki-67 = 5%
Questions:
1. What is the significance of well differentiated vs moderately
differentiated, does this imply that from the first surgery to the second
things took a turn for the worse?
2. Does the fact that the margins have not been clear alter the stage?
3. What stage would this be considered?
4. What does the Ki-67 represent
Thanks again for all your information
Ruth
Guess Who - 27 Jun 2004 19:28 GMT
The leap from well to moderately differentiately is slightly worse and
doesn't effect your staging. Tumor size does effect staging and until you
get clean margains you really can't do a final stage.
Staging Breast Cancer
Stage Tumor Size Lymph Node Involvement Metastasis (Spread)
I
II
III
IV
Less than 2 cm
Between 2-5 cm
More than 5 cm
Not applicable
No
No or in same side of breast
Yes, on same side of breast
Not applicable
No
No
No
Yes
From the information you posted I would say Stage II.
Ki-67 is a proliferation markers. However, most authorities believe that
only Her-2/neu, estrogen receptors, and progesterone receptors are
beneficial. The other tests do not have therapeutic implications and, when
compared with grade and stage of the disease, are not independently
significant with respect to prognosis. Some medical centers use these tests
for additional information in evaluating patients; however, most studies
have shown that their evaluation offers little to prognosis.
> I keep meaning to ask my doctors, just seems I always forget, might be my
> subconscious not wanting to know.
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> Ruth