Pathology and understanding it ... by NotHappyJan
SoldierCrab
Member Posts: 3,430 ✭
DSIS & IDC NOS - 54MM Grade 3
ER & PR Positive 85% both
Okay this is part of my pathology report.
Yep gotta go down the chemo , radio and hormone lines.
I'm not totally sure what it all means, so if anyone can explain in really simple terms that would be great.
Also, for those that have gone down these paths roughly how long will I be lookinig at for treatment?
My team are meetinig on Thursday so I'll find out more on Friday.
Many thanks
ER & PR Positive 85% both
Okay this is part of my pathology report.
Yep gotta go down the chemo , radio and hormone lines.
I'm not totally sure what it all means, so if anyone can explain in really simple terms that would be great.
Also, for those that have gone down these paths roughly how long will I be lookinig at for treatment?
My team are meetinig on Thursday so I'll find out more on Friday.
Many thanks
August 18Comment
primekMight be best if you post in msin area. Where the blogs are press bew discussion there. You can copy and paste this. That wasy I can give you links etc that work.August 18- Brenda5The first bit is more or less the positioning of the cancer and what parts of the breast that are affected. The size is rather large area and as a result of that the grade has increased from a 2 (mine was 2 at 2.5cm) to a grade 3. ER and PR positive is a good thing as the cancers growth is linked to your hormones which can be managed with hormone therapy to stop it coming back after treatment. Chemo minimum would be 3 months and probably radiation would be another 3 months minimum. I had a single mastectomy so I did chemo but didn't have to have radiation.
I am guessing a total of 6 to 12 months treatment for you and then 5 to 10 years of hormone therapy which is just a daily pill.8:15AM
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@NotHappyJan
HiBelow are a couple of links to help you find your
way around the forum and also how to find a breast care nurse and how to order
a MY journey Kit if you haven't got one yet.It can be a whirlwind when we first get a
diagnosed.... Breathe and take it one step at a time.Navigating the online community
formerly the what and how thread.Breast Care Nurses
https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspx
My Journey Kits and other
resources.https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/
BCNA Helpline 1800 500 258
If you have any questions, concerns or require any further
information or support please call 1800 500 258. BCNA’s helpline will now be open from
9am-6pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm Fridays.How to understand your pathology reports
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Hi @NotHappyJan
This link really explains it very well.
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/understanding-your-pathology-report/breast-pathology/breast-cancer-pathology.html
Most chemo regimes go anywhere between 4 and 6 months. Because of the grade is why chemo offered.
If it comes back her2+ then you would also be offered a targeted therapy which goes on for a further 9 months. Most people with Es positive cancers go on to hormone suppressant therapy also.
The sizing I'm unsure if it related to the dcis or the idc or the combined.
This link also helps with understanding the different types of breast cancer.
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/
You'll need a closer look at your pathology to understand it better.3 -
@NotHappyJan .... I didn’t go down the chemo road ... just surgery, rads and tabs
Some of the tests take a tad longer to come back than others .... my Her2 ones took a week longer - so they may have all of them by the time you see them. Ask for a copy, then you can look into them a bit more with your GP. Make sure you have a buddy with you, as a lot of info goes over your head in the meetings .... or record it, to go over it again later on.
The Er and Pr+ just means it is hormone ‘fed’, hence the tablets later on (hormone inhibitors) to help prevent it (which mine were.) Did they mention your nodes at this point in time - if not, they most likely will at your next meeting? The chemo is a mopping up thing ... also to help prevent it returning.
Hoping you are still feeling as good as you can be at this point in time
Sll the best for next week’s meeting xxx2 -
@NotHappyJan I was given a printed copy of my pathology report and I went through underlining and annotating it so I could ask my breast surgeon (the first specialist I saw) about all the bits I didn't understand (quite a bit). As others have said, definitely try to take someone with you to that conversation and have them take notes (take your own as well) or ask if you can record it on your phone. If you're like me you will get home and think of a dozen more questions, just keep a list (I have a dedicated notebook for this) so you can go over them next time you talk to your surgeon or the oncologist.
All the best and much hugs xxx3
