Ask an Expert: View a Question
 
 
 
 

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!

ForumQuestionsAsk a Question
Types and Stages of Breast Cancer
Questions about the different types and stages of breast cancer.
1,325 Ask a Question

AskedPublicly Submitted Question
8/9/2012Diagnosed in Dec 2010 with IDC, Grade 1, less than 1.5 cm. lump, strongly ER+/PR+, HER2 negative, 5/14 nodes +. Had lumpectomy in Jan 2011, started DD A/C in February followed by DD Taxol, finshed RT in June 2011. Bone scans, CT's, CXR all negative as of May 2012. Now on Tamoxifen. First told 80-90% chance no recurrence if I did aggressive chemo treatment, went back for revisit recently and told no, really 60-70% chance no recurrence since I had node +. Why the change in % now? What are my chances?? When do odds start to improve....2 yrs out, 3 yrs out???
RepliedJHU's Breast Center Reply
8/10/2012hhmmm. the first time someone must have just been looking at the tumor size and forgetting about node positivity. 80-90% would be correct for tumor 1.5cm and node negative or 1 positive node. Due to # of nodes positive the real numbers are 60-70%. odds improve once you've reached the 2 year mark, and then drop again quite low at the 6 year mark. so celebrate this christmas in a major way!

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.

 
 
 
 
 

© The Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Health System, All rights reserved.