My Mum - what stage, waiting, lymph nodes HELP

Public Archive
1

Hi all

I took my Mum to the hospital on Friday and we all assumed she would be OK. Then we were hit by a bus - she has breast cancer. She is having a lumpectomy on 2nd July, Its 16mm, and they said they could not feel lymph node involvement and also they did not see it (she had an ultrasound, mammorygraph (?) and a biopsy of the lump 2 weeks prior).

They say the prognosis is good but how do they know that? They said it was due to tumour size when I asked but since reading the forums, lots of ladies had the same size lump to find after surgery they are stage 3.

How accurate is the ultrasound for seeing cancer cells in the lymph nodes?
How can they give a good prognoses and say they are confident of removing it just by the size of lump?

We are all in shock and I would be grateful for any help and support.

BTW I am not a little girl! My Mum is 59, and I am 38 with my own family which conists of a hubby, a 19 month old gorgeous baby boy, plus quite a few pets,.

Thanks in advance xx

2

Hi SuzyNala,

Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care forums where I am sure you will receive valuable support, information and advice from the many informed users of this site.

Breast Cancer Care have written a ‘Resources Pack’ for anyone newly diagnosed with breast cancer which you and your mum may find helpful to read, it is filled with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available. You can order a free copy from the following link or you can ask for a copy to be sent to you via the helpline.

breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514

There is information in the pack about our other support services, including our helpline, tel no 0808 800 6000 which you may find useful to use at some point if you need to talk anything through or just need someone to lend an understanding ear. Alternatively if you prefer you can use email: <script type=“text/javascript”>eval(unescape(‘%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%69%6e%66%6f%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%22%3e%69%6e%66%6f%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b’))</script>

I have also put a link to another of BCC’s publications regarding diagnosis and hospital admission which your mum might like to read, again you can either download this directly or order a free copy on line, just follow the links.
breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=661

Hope this is of some help to both your mum and yourself,

Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator

3

Hi SuzyNala your story more or less echos my mums - I was 36 and she was 61. My mums cancer was 25mm - no node involvement and was found to be stage 1. I was with her when she was dx and in those days - about 16 years ago the word cancer wasn’t mentioned they just said the lump was malignant and she had to ask does that mean I have cancer? It ws a very difficult time and she did opt to have a mastectomy rather that a lumpectomy. She then had radiotherapy and did not have a recurrance in 11 years. Hopefully your mum will be the same. The size on its own does not determine the stage a cancer is at lots of other things are taken into account. At present I have just had an op for a 40mm lump again no node involvenment and mine is a stage 2. Good luck try not to worry too much as lots of people live with this condition as treatment has progressed so far in the last few years…and my mum was 72 when she died and it wasn’t through breast cancer.
XX

4

Hi SuzyNala

I am in exactly the same position as you and feel totally devastated and feel like I’m in a dream. My brother had testicular cancer 10 years ago and cant believe we’re going through it again. Mum was diagnosed nearly 2 weeks ago and op on June 26th. 25mm and was told the same as your Mum - from the mam and ultra sound they couldn’t see any lymph involvement but of course they wont know until they operate. Mum is going for a lumpectomy.
I am 32, live with boyfriend and Mum has just turned 63.
It’s a horrid time but you have to stay positive - so many people beat this and my brother is fighting fit now! Don’t go frightening yourself by reading too much on the web.
Ronniex

5

Hi suzy,
I am 46 and was diagnosed last year with a 16mm ductal invasive tumour. After biopsy I was advised that it was a grade 3 confirmed after op, there is difference between grades and stage, I found all very bewildering in the beginning although now I know more. Grade1 dont usually spread but sometimes do, Grade 2 in middle and Grade 3 mine have potential to spread, but dont always especially when caught early. I was told very difficult to confirm lymph involement by ultrasound, some people have sentinal node check during op, but I didnt. I have had chemo first then lumpectomy and all lymph nodes removed, only one showed slight signs of old cancer, which I was pleased about as some people have lots more node involvment while best news is none!! Anyway I am just waiting to start, 6 weeks of rads every day.
If your mum wants to find out grade of biopsy she could have a chat with the breast nurse or consultant at her next appointment. Treatment varies so much from person to person, chemo before or after op, no, chemo at all, etc. You mum is very lucky to have a supportive daughter like yourself trying to find our info and support her on this journey.
good luck to your mum and best wishes to you all,
Just ask if you need to know anything someone on this site can usually help or point you in the right direction
Take care
Dawn x

6

Hi Suzy

As Dawn says there are several things that determine the stage of the cancer, size being just one of them, (the BBC resource pack will explain it)

Then the grade of the cancer is considered, grade one being the least aggressive grade 3 being the most aggressive. Grading results will not be available until after the operation.

Then lymph node involvement is considered and again there is no real way of determining this until it has been looked at under a microscope

There will also be tests to see if the tumour is hormonal receptive or not and her HER2 status

Stage 1 The tumour measures less than 2cm. The lymph glands in the armpit are not affected and there are no signs that the cancer has spread elsewhere in the body.

Stage 2 The tumour measures between 2 and 5cm, or the lymph glands in the armpit are affected, or both. However, there are no signs that the cancer has spread further.

Stage 3 The tumour is larger than 5cm and may be attached to surrounding structures such as the muscle or skin. The lymph glands are usually affected, but there are no signs that the cancer has spread beyond the breast or the lymph glands in the armpit.

Stage 4 The tumour is of any size, but the lymph glands are usually affected and the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This is secondary or metastatic breast cancer. (from cancer bacup)

I know only too well that the worse time of all is waiting for the results but really medical staff cannot give a clear indication of what they are dealing with until they have all the facts before them, the results following the operation should usually be with you within 7-days, your mum will then be referred to an oncologist for a tratment plan, which may be one or a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy herceptin

hope this helps, you will soon get used to the termiology it is a minefield, but please do not hesitate to contact people with your or your mums concerns

best wishes Linda

7

Hi SuzyNala
Your nes seem to echo mine exactly. I found a lump on a monday went to docs, she said infected cyst. refered me to breast clinic.the following tues i had mammogram, ultra sound and biopsy. Team told me not to worry it was nothing sinister. The following thursday the bomb was dropped I had a 2cm lump, caught early, btt it was cancer. I just felt my whole world had thumped me on the head and slapped my face. I caaught me breath and asked what next. I was told I would need a lumpectomy and slnb and was offered a op space 3 weeks later. I joined this site and have found a lot out. Then gone away and phoned my bcn with loads of questioned you just dont remember if you asked or cant remember them saying.
Ask the team your mum’s under anything that worries you or your mum and ask until you get the information. Waiting is the worst for all concerned. My daughter is 32 and my son is 28 and they couldnt believe how I came home so soon and how well I’m doing now. They saw me yesterday again took me to lunch and saw their Grandma for her birthday and went home satisfied I’m “OK”. I know they worry too and have kept them infromrd of everything thats been said done.
I get my results of op this thursday, so fingers crossed.
I know its easy to say and everyone does so I will, but try not to worry. Be there for your mum.
Hugs to you both
Bridie

8

Hi SuzyNala
I’m a mum who has gone through a mastectomy and chemo now to have rads and hormone treatment. Speaking as a mum whose wonderful daughter [your age and similar family situation] has been my rock, I want to ask you to care for yourself as well. You will be giving and sharing and supporting your mum so much. You also must have fears make sure that you have a support network of those who you can talk to and who will help you with the tasks that have to be left while you are at your mum’s side.
I wish you and your mum well
Margaret

9

HI I had 4CM tumour removed, grade 3 and 21 lymph nodes.none of which are affected.I had chemo first as it started at 6cm and then now having radiotherapy.As mine was an early cancer,although large I am HER2+ and having herceptin for the next year.My prognosis is good and ther is a high chance of it not returning,Good luck to your mum and to yoo.

Take Care
Mary
xx

10

I just wanted to thanks you all so so much for the support. Its quite amazing how better you have made me feel!
Every person who has commented has been so brave, so strong and so inspirational to me. I iwsh I could get my Mum onto this site but I think before she gets the grading and staging results she may start to scare herself.

We have asked the breast cancer how they were able to give a “good prognosis” and what they said is that they did not FEEL anything around the lymph nodes. They did not see anything on the xrays/scans. They had actually written a special note on the report to say that the lymph nodes appear to be clear.

We have found this quite reassuring but we know we wont have a definitive answer until the end of July.

It makes it even more special now that I ran the Race for life 5 days before we found out, and I said to myself I will finish this without stopping, unless they have to take me away on a stretcher. I am going to try my best to have this positive approach all the way now on this journey.

I visited a customer on Monday - full of a cough and cold asked for a drink of water. He said sarcastically “oh poor you falling to bits”, I could have thumped him! If he only knew what news our family had been trying to take in the 2 and a half days beforehand.

Thanks again everyone. I wish you all the very best. Sending big hugs and love xx

11

Sorry I did not ask “the breast cancer”, I asked the Breast Cancer Care Nurse!!