The HER2 results can take longer to come through because it can be a two part test. If the results from the 1st her2 test comes back as inconclusive they retest using a different method. The HER2 result is an important one as HER2+ positive breast cancers require chemo and biological therapies.
It could be they are waiting on this to see if you are a definite candidate for chemo or if radiotherapy to your nodes will be enough to zap it.
Another thing that will be discussed is that pesky lymph node. Depending on which node was affected. If this was the nearest node and the others taken were clear that means it has now been removed and radiotherapy will mop up any straggler cells (if there are any)
Fingers crossed you will get the HER2 results through by Monday and know what is planned next.
Hope you are recovering from surgery and fluid draining better now, G n' J
Hi Jo (), firstly don't panic as lots of cancers measure bigger than what had been seen on the mammogram or scans.
As for your node/s was it in one or more nodes? How many were removed?
When do you see your team next?
The important thing to remember is that the Cancer has been removed. There is a chance they will suggest removing the nodes from under your arm, IF that's not been done. OR if it's just in one node and any others tested clear they may opt to just leave things as they are or maybe offer radiotherapy?
The honest answer is the only people who know the answer to your question is your team! I'm sure they are working hard to tailor make a treatment plan to suit you. It may be that nothing changes, so don't jump the gun too quickly!
I think the one thing I learnt in all this was to.....
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!!
Hope you aren't getting too worried about things. Just take a deep breath and wait till you see your team. If you are really concerned give your nurse a call. Hopefully she can help.
Hi I was like you and they discovered it in one of my 2 sentinel nodes despite the ultrasound looking clear, and it's quite a shock, isn't it? It happens about 20% of the time. Try not to worry too much about it until all your results are back and the team look at ther information. They'll be looking at ther following and more....
How many sentinel nodes were there? How big was it in the node in mm's? Was the extravascular invasion? Were the margins clear? Was there LVI? Is it HER2+? What are the ER and PR numbers? (out of 8) These are all things which the team will look at.
One node isn't terrible, but it makes chemo more likely depending on how much they found in it. Micromets 'could' be treated with radiation. It's a shock , and one thing most people have now when they find it in the nodes is staging scans. It's standard practice but can seem scary. I had 2 different ct scans (one with contrast) and a full body nuclear bone scan. Some hospitals do MRI scans too. I dadd told that they needed the information from the staging scans before continuing treatment, but I think it depends on your team. I had a level 3 clearance after my one node was positive and not a dot wad found anywhere else in the other nodes, which often happens:)
Do you know when your next appointment is? Xx
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Stephen Hawking,
