Ask an Expert is a free question-and-answer service about breast cancer and breast health that is available on weekends. If you'd like to ask a question or comment, please visit us again on Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime, please search the existing topics using the search tool at the top of the page. It's quite possible that one of our many existing topics already addresses your question.
If you would like a consultation with a breast specialist at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, call 443-778-2778. It is possible to get an appointment for a second opinion within a few days of contacting us.
We hope you find the information helpful!
| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Metastatic Breast Cancer Questions about advanced metastatic breast cancer. |
2,606 |  |
| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/22/2005 | Hi. I want to first take the time to thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my questions. I am a 66 year old woman with diabetes, hypertension, and emphysema that was diagnosed with ILBC in 12/04 with a tumor that was so big that they could not give me a correct size except that is was bigger than 5cm. I started neoadjuvant chemo in 3/05 until 08/05 and had a matectomy in 10/05. My path report reads as follows tumor size: 4cm, ILC and DCIS, Tubule formation: 3, Nuclear Pleomorphism: 3, Mitotic count: 1, grade 2, 7 points. Primary Tumor: pT2, pTis, Regional Lymph Nodes:pN2a, 8/9 nodes positive for cancer. What stage was I before I started chemo because one doctor told me stage 3 and another told me stage 4? What determines how many lymph nodes should be taken out? Do you think I have a high risk of recurrence even though I feel fine? What do you think my prognosis looks like along with all my other health problems? I am going to start radiation soon. Do you think that will help stop any further mets besides the axila? Thank You so much. This website is a godsend. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 11/23/2005 | you started out as a stage 3b assuming there was no disease in other organ sites. it shrank the tumor down some but nodal involvement remained high,so they are still reading this probably as a stage 3a. there are three levels of nodes-- 1,2 and 3. usually levels 1 and 2 are taken when a positive node is identified. so ask about this. the # of nodes each of us has is different but on average there are 30+ - nodes in the armpit area. radiation will be needed for you of the chest area and armpit. recurrence rate is high for stage 3 due to nodal involvement so you will be closely monitored. find out if you are hormone receptor positive and/or her2neu +++ with the hope you can take hormonal therapy and/or herceptin. | ||
Please note: This service is not intended to provide primary medical advice concerning specific medical care or treatment. Ask an Expert is a free service operated by health care professionals at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. Due to the volume of questions and their complexity, there are times when medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists or oncology nurses are consulted for their input. These individuals volunteer their time for this service and will respond as soon as they are able. Please do not post or send the same question to us in multiple locations or categories.