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Lumpectomy with Sentinel Node Biopsy
Questions about Lumpectomy with Sentinel Node Biopsy.
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AskedPublicly Submitted Question
4/28/2005I am 64, dx 2/05 w/invasive ductal in left breast. 1.6cm tumor removed, no node involvement, stage 1. Path showed 1% dcis in tumor, plus dcis in tissue near tumor - all clear edges. Dr. says radiation therapy will take care of dcis?? Tumor is pr-/er+ but only 4%, and her2neu+3. Am on A+C chemo x4, followed by taxotere x4, then 6 weeks of radiation therapy. Type of hormonal therapy is not decided. The her2 is a big concern! What else can be done to avoid spread? Pre-op ct's of chest,abdomen,pelvis; liver & bone scans were neg.for mets. but showed left side adrenal adenoma 2cm which no one seems too concerned about???
RepliedJHU's Breast Center Reply
4/28/2005Radiation won't "take care of" the known presence of lingering DCIS. if it did then when someone is diagnosed with just DCIS we would only radiate them and not operate to do a lumepctomy. make sense? so if there is residucal DCIS in the breast no radiation oncologist who is reputable would agree to radiate you until it is gone. With sentinel node negative the standard of care would be to NOT do scans. no reason to do them at this point. the doctor will probably talk more about her2neu status given there is recent information to be coming out about this prognostic factor and what treatment options may help.

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