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Confused with my diagnose.
Chrissieanne
Member Posts: 5 ✭
I was Diagnosed with metastatic cancer on 17th September. Iv'e has scans ex rays etc and having a mastectomy on 13 November. It seems that it is only in my nodes. Does this mean it not Metastatic cancer as I thought that meant it was somewhere else. I'm confused.
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@Chrissieanne. I am not a doctor, but I wouldn't have thought you had metastatic breast cancer if it is just in your lymph nodes. Spread to other places such as bone, liver, brain, etc. is what defines metsstatic breast cancer. Have you read your pathology report?0
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Only read the one from the breast screen biopsy. Will have more information after my Mastectomy. I was told by my oncologist that its only in my nodes. liver clear, bones clear lungs etc clear.0
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@Chrissieanne - talk with your health professionals .... they will be able to put your mind at ease re what happens next after the mastectomy.
All the best with your ongoing appointments & treatment xx
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As I understand it cancer in the nodes does not 'count' as metastatic. But best check with your doctors. K xox2
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Your cancer may have possibly metastasised into the nodes. I was not HERpositive in my breast tumour but was in the only malignant node. That isn't metastatic breast cancer, but as far as I am concerned is a reminder that it was a jolly good thing to catch it when we did! I'm six years clear, so check with your doctors but all may be well. Best wishes.2
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They told me I didn't have metastatic, it said no metastatic on my body scan, but the biopsy on two lymph nodes which was in the initial testing said metastatic. I think because my cancer started in the breast and moved to the nodes then they call it metastatic but I don't have it elsewhere and it is contained within these areas. Like you, I was confused but have given up trying to understand as it does my head in and that is far enough gone as it is! 😜2
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They call it locally advanced breast cancer if more than 5. But the staging will be explained later if you ask.
This link is great at explaining simply and should put your mind at ease.
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/types-of-breast-cancer/
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Below 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 @Chrissieanne,
My initial diagnosis (from the first biopsies) was "highly probable metastatic breast cancer" once all the staging scans were done it was the same as you. All clear everywhere else. It is difficult to understand sometimes. After surgery there were 5 out of the 24 they removed positive. The main culprit had a 25mm tumour which had broken through the node and was in the surrounding tissue as well which generally would have put me to stage 3. However as the actual primary breast lesion was only 19mm the outcome was stage 2 grade 2 locally advanced.
Does your head in trying to understand this mumbo jumbo. The main thing is that it is nowhere else which is awesome!3 -
Thank you all. you have helped be to understand a bit better. Still confused about the grades and stages but in time. As I've been given no stages or grades.0
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I have been diagnosed with Mets to my brachial plexus. Unusual but not unheard of.0
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Hello @Chrissieanne and welcome. To help put your mind at ease don't hesitate to ask your doctor for a copy of the pathology report and ask him/her to explain all the terms. This will also help you understand your treatment plan and reduce some anxiety there. Your treating team are there for you. Wishing you all the best.
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