The pathology test (week after the surgery) came out negative, but her surgeon said that because the size was bigger than biopsy measured, she sent it for another test, which will take another 2 weeks. What is this test about? I thought if you do double mastectomy and lymph nodes are clean, what else can you check?
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Q: My sister had a breast cancer in one breast but decided to do double mastectomy just in case.
Answers (1)
8/14/09 9:09pm
Hi - Not sue what they did in the initial pathology test, but they should definitely check for hormone receptivity - whether her cancer is estrogen- or progesterone-receptive. They should also check for HER2-neu, which shows whether a certain protein is "overexpressed" - if it is, this signals a more aggressive cancer. The results of these tests can help determine her long-term treatment - e.g., what drugs she might take going forward, which could include tamoxifen, an aromatase inhibitor, or Herceptin.
Anyway, for a "for-sure" answer, best for her to ask her oncologist what further tests are being done, OK? Good luck - PJH
8/17/09 2:54pm
Maybe she had the Oncotype-DX test, which tells you how effective chemotherapy would be, should you choose to have it. You might want to ask her oncologist if this is the test she had - which would make sense, as the Oncotype involves that kind of wait time. Many women are having the Oncotype test now, as it's another piece of useful information when trying to decide on a course of treatment. PJH
8/17/09 3:01pm
That's it, that is probably why. Thank you very much again for all the answers. She doesn't have an appt with oncologist yet, but as soon as she does, we will ask him all the questions you recommended.
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By D— Last Modified: 09/13/10, First Published: 08/14/09
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Thank you PJH. It does make sense now. As F.Y.I., a pathology test was done for checking her lymph nodes to see if it spreads, which came back negative, so we know it didn't. The receptivity was checked before the surgery over biopsy and came back positive. I was confused and scared because usually, to my knowledge, if you choose full mastectomy over lumpectomy and lymph nodes are clean, there is no additional treatment needed, besides tamoxifen, or else suggested. Her surgeon though told her that this test will show if she need a chemotherapy, which I thought was odd. I really, really appreciate your anwering my question. It is easier now to wait another two weeks for the result knowing what to expect and not being in the dark. :)