Hi - Welcome! Infiltrating does mean invasive, but invasive doesn't necessarily mean "it's spread." About 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have infiltrating/invasive cancer. Please read our IDC FAQS for more informaiton.

The information you give is a bit confusing; a 1cm tumor is very small, and certainly not too big to remove. And NOS would mean it hasn't left your breast (e.g., it's not in your lymph nodes), yet you're having both chemo and radiation, which usually would mean at least one node was affected. Unless you're ER/PR negative and HER2-neu negative?

Also, if you're this far along your oncologist should have told you what stage you are. It sounds like you need a LOT more information from your medical team. A good step would be to get a copy of your pathology report, then use our Guide to Understanding Your Pathology Report to help you interpret it. If you have any quesitons once you've done that, come on back.

And in the meantime, next time you meet with you oncologist, bring a list of questions with you (e.g., "What stage is my cancer? Is it hormone-receptive? Am I HER2-neu positive"); and don't leave till you get them answered, OK? Good luck - PJH

CT

3/ 5/10 9:01am

Tq so mch 4 d respond. Here is the report from DR:

 

macroscopic: 1 container received contained thin pieces of core biopsy speciments measured 1x0.5x0.3cm.  All speciments were processed 4 paraffin block.

Microscopic:speciments showed fragments of mammary tissue, 1 fragment contained infiltrating analplastic ductal ephitel in trabecular structures. Other showed fibrocollagen, fat stroma n small piece of normal glandular, conclusion right breast, core biopsy: infiltratingductal carcinoma (NOS), imunohisto result will be reported separately.

 

Would it b adviceable to get 2nd opinion from other DR?.  Thanks again 4 ur prompt respond.

 

Rgds

CT

 

PJ Hamel, Health Guide

3/ 5/10 10:09am

I'd ask for the results of your HER2-neu test and ER/PR test - that's the "imunohisto result will be reported separately" they mention. If HER2 is positive; and/or ER/PR negative; and the grade of the cancer is high, that might be why you're getting chemo; not because the tumor is "too big" to remove. And yes, if you're not satisfied with the answers you get - either keep presisng till you understand exactly what your treatment will be, and why; or ask to be referred for a second opinion. Even though it sounds like you're already midway through some pretty aggressive treatment, it would be nice to know the "why." Good luck - PJH