I have IDC of the left breast. The tumor is 2.5 to 2.9. I am Progesterone+ and Estrogen+. Ki-67 is 15% and P53 is also 15%. I had an equivocal HER2 result of 2+ and FISH study results are HER2-. CNB pathology report and MRI show no invasion of lymph nodes. Since I was diagnosed on November 3, I have a lot of discomfort in my left groin area, the same as the tumor. My surgeon told me not to worry about it because they are not connected. Five weeks later, I have pain and now notice one or two inguinal nodes. Is there a possibility that this is a symptom of the breast cancer spreading? If this is a possibility, then I can better advocate for myself.
Frankly, the unknown of all of this is quite discouraging. I will not have my surgery, double mastectomy with expanders for reconstruction until January 6. Long time to wait. I respect medical protocol and timing and I know that each case is so tedious to diagnose and treat; however, it is difficult. Just hard! Having a tumor that can potentially kill you, growing inside you, aggressive or not, makes it challenging to wait and wait. All we can do, or all I can do, is find out all I can to help myself stay calm and reduce stress levels.
I am not sure why I wouldn't need a blood test of some sort or more tests to make sure I don't have cancer somewhere else. On the other hand, with limited layman's knowledge, maybe my idea is not even a possibility.
Oh, and I am not making this up. Thoughts?
Reply # - December 5, 2016, 10:26 AM
Reply To: Breast Cancer Lymph Nodes and Inguinal Nodes
I have IDC of the left breast. The tumor is 2.9 according to CNB and 2.5 according to MRI. I am Progesterone+ and Estrogen+. Ki-67 is 15% and P53 is also 15%. I had an equivocal HER2 result of 2+ and FISH study results are HER2-. My concern is that the tumor is HER2+ in some areas and HER2- -heterogeneity. How is the tumor classified at this point. Which result guides treatment?
Reply # - December 6, 2016, 08:30 AM
A full staging work up would
A full staging work up would include a PET scan of your body to look for metastatic tumors. An MRI of the brain to check for brain mets too. I will comment further when I can today. Just want to let you know we are here and want to help.
Janine
Reply # - December 8, 2016, 10:54 AM
Hi marimucho,
Hi marimucho,
I'm so sorry to know you through such difficult circumstances. I'm afraid our BC specialist is out of office until next week. I'm afraid we just don't have other faculty with this type of expertise available (much of our lung cancer specialists are at a conference this week as well so they're not available to ask).
A couple of things to think about: Have you seen someone about the pain in your groin? While it may be unusual for your pain to be a sign of bc spread it's important to know that cancer can and will do anything; everyone's is different. If you're worried about it get it checked out by your primary. Communication is key for so many of us. Don't be afraid to get what you need from your healthcare providers.
Another thing to know is that a couple of months is an agonizing eternity for you to wait but statistically speaking it doesn't make a difference in outcome. Everyone with cancer will tell you that waiting is the hardest part. Turns out Tom Petty knew a thing or 2.
I'll follow up with Dr. C when she returns (know that she will also be catching up in her own practice as well).
Let us know what comes of the pain in your groin.
All best wishes,
Janine
A couple of links,
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-f…
http://www.advancedbc.org/content/where-body-does-breast-cancer-usually…