My mother recently underwent modified radical mastectomy of right breast after being diagnosed with Infiltrating Duct Carcinoma, Grade II (NBR Score 7). DCIS – Present Pattern – Solid / Comedo Extensive Intraduct Component – Absent Lymphatic / Vascular Emboli- Present Stromal Desmoplasia- Present Surrounding Breast- Benign breast disease. Nipple / Areola- Unremarkable Deep Surgical Margin- Free Axillary Lymphnodes: Total number- 17, 2 show metastatic deposits, largest metastatic node is 1cm. Extracapsular Tumor Extension- Absent Level I- 2/13 shows metastatic deposit Level II- 3/3 free Level III- 1/1 Free This was followed by a IHC test whose results showed as mentioned : 1) Estrogen Receptor (ER) Score 2/8 Negative 2) Progestrone Receptor (PR) Score 2/8 Negative 3) Her-2neu )c-erb B2) " Score-0 Result Negative. What does this mean in terms of treatment regime and survival rates. Thanks in advance for your kind response. Regards Somnath
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Q: What are the survival rates after DCIS Stage 2 Breast cancer?
Hi Somnath - Your mother has a moderately serious case of breast cancer, but with good care she has every chance of pulling through. She'll undoubtedly have chemotherapy; since she's what's called "triple negative" (please read our triple negative FAQS), chemo will be very important to her. After that, she'll be done with active treatment - no long-term drugs as they wouldn't be effective for her.
The majority of women with breast cancer do survive and go on to live normal, healthy lives. Hopefully, your mother will be in that group. Please stay in touch if there's anything else we can do to help you, OK? Good luck to you both - PJH
Hi Som: Statistically speaking, your mother's risk of distant recurrence (i.e., metastasis outside the breast) is about 35% the first 3 years - about double what it is for most breast cancers. Her risk of recurrence within the same breast is the same as it is for women with other types of breast cancer. After 5 years, the risk for triple negative is the same as it is for other breast cancers, so it's just those first 3 years that are different.
She'll take chemo once, not throughout the 3 years. If her cancer comes back, the doctors will try a different combination of drugs. Side effects are much more treatable and controllable now than they used to be. She may have to endure quite a few, or she may sail right through. You never know till you actually go through it. But she should be sure to ask for help, with whatever she's feeling; "suffering in silence" is NOT a good option where chemo's involved, because there is medicine that can help - if you ask for it.
Cancer is a scary thing, for all of us. But looking at the statistics, your mother has every chance of surviving and going on to live her life. I hope she's able to be treated at a good cancer center; that can make a difference. Thanks for going through this with her - I know she'll appreciate having you with her for support. And stay in touch here, too, OK? We can help. PJH
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Many thanks PJ for your kind & prompt reply. I read through the Triple Negative BC FAQs. Have some more questions and I shall be gratified if you can please answer them for me..
What are the chances of recurrence in the first three years and afterwards ? Also it is mentined that Chemo is the "only" treatment option available so does that mean she has to undergo Chemo frequently althrough these first three years and after that in her lifetime..what if a particular chemo regime doesn't suit her ? I have heard that the side effects of Chemo are not too good either. ..My mother is 66 yrs old and the Doctors had earlier mentioned that this was an early stage of cancer being detected, and we got her mastectomy done within 19 days of this detection. I am feeling helplesss and scared...thanks for all help.
Regards
Som