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What does LVI identified mean

Hope71
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I am newly diagnosed with IDC from a routine mammogram, the biopsy report came with a tumour size 1.2 cm with Nottingham grade 1/3 , mitotic score 1, both progesterone and estrogen receptors positive and HER2 negative . What has me worried is that  LVI is also identified . Articles I have read says this has a bad prognosis . My worry is that has the cancer spread . I can’t seem to stop freaking out , I still have days to go before seeing the oncologist for the first time . Please any advice would be appreciated 

thanks 

  •  Hi Hope71,

    Thank you for getting in touch with us and welcome to our online community.  My name is Adrienne and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses at Macmillan. 

    I’m sorry to hear how worried you are after receiving the pathology report from your biopsy.  It’s understandable that you would research the terms in the report, so you have a better idea of what it all means but it’s important to take things one step at a time. 

    Lymphovascular Invasion (LVI) means that there are cancer cells present in the lymph channels or blood vessels in the breast.  This does not necessarily mean that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or other organs in the body.  The pathology report should advise on the extent of the invasion in order to guide the breast care team on the best course of treatment.

    All of the information from the biopsy will be discussed at the multi-disciplinary meeting (MDT).  They will use this information to determine any further testing, such as scans, as well as mapping out your treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome for you.  This plan may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination of these and will certainly include hormone therapy.

    Some studies have suggested recurrence can be higher and survival shorter if you have LVI present, but this isn’t the full picture. There are other factors that can influence this too such as the stage, grade, cancer type and age. Your doctors would take all this information into account to make sure they are offering the best treatment to help reduce the risks of your cancer coming back.

    It's important to know that breast cancer treatments have been evolving over the years and survival rates have greatly improved.  Your oncologist will discuss your pathology results with you and explain the aim of your individual treatment plan.  It might be helpful to write down some questions to ask at your appointment.

    It might also be helpful to give us a call, to talk through any worries or concerns you have about your report and possible treatment plan.

    I do wish you all the best,

    Take care,

    Adrienne

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.  

    Ref:  AM/LB

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