Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Is The Diagnoses For Breast Cancer Correct?
Breast cancer - 37 positive lymph nodes
My mum was operated for breast cancer last month. She had tumorectomy and lumpectomy with 40 lymph nodes removed (after previous sentinel node biopsy) of which 37 resulted positive. I have never heard of so many positive lymph nodes. She has been diagnosed with a 1.2 mm DCIS with a large radius of IDC. The tumor was really small, but it seems it has already attacked the lymph nodes. The diagnose after surgery showed that MIB-1 was 10%, ER were 100% positive and the PR receptors were negative. The results for the Her-2 receptor are still unknown. The main diagnose was: breast cancer T1 N1 MX. The doctor told her she will have to undergo chemo, radio and hormonal therapy.
All these results seem quite contradictory. On one hand she had a small cancer (T1), while on the other hand she had 37 positive lymph nodes (diagnosed as N1...which I do not understand). Every doctor we have spoken to so far seemed quite perplexed by the results. The only thing I can deduce is that she is either a "phenomenon" or she has been misdiagnosed. Do you think such a diagnose can be possible? I would realy appreciate any useful information. Thank you for your help!
My mum was operated for breast cancer last month. She had tumorectomy and lumpectomy with 40 lymph nodes removed (after previous sentinel node biopsy) of which 37 resulted positive. I have never heard of so many positive lymph nodes. She has been diagnosed with a 1.2 mm DCIS with a large radius of IDC. The tumor was really small, but it seems it has already attacked the lymph nodes. The diagnose after surgery showed that MIB-1 was 10%, ER were 100% positive and the PR receptors were negative. The results for the Her-2 receptor are still unknown. The main diagnose was: breast cancer T1 N1 MX. The doctor told her she will have to undergo chemo, radio and hormonal therapy.
All these results seem quite contradictory. On one hand she had a small cancer (T1), while on the other hand she had 37 positive lymph nodes (diagnosed as N1...which I do not understand). Every doctor we have spoken to so far seemed quite perplexed by the results. The only thing I can deduce is that she is either a "phenomenon" or she has been misdiagnosed. Do you think such a diagnose can be possible? I would realy appreciate any useful information. Thank you for your help!
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Answered on
Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Last reviewed on
Hi, dear
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
There is some misdiagnosis in her case. According to size her stage T1 is ok. But if 37 lymphnodes are positive then it can never be N1. It is totally wrong diagnosis and no doubt about that. Best thing to do is review. You should take your slide and blocks fron that doctor and ask for a review in other laboratory. It will give you exact diagnosis.
Then you should take treatment accordingly. Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.
I have gone through your question. I can understand your concern.
There is some misdiagnosis in her case. According to size her stage T1 is ok. But if 37 lymphnodes are positive then it can never be N1. It is totally wrong diagnosis and no doubt about that. Best thing to do is review. You should take your slide and blocks fron that doctor and ask for a review in other laboratory. It will give you exact diagnosis.
Then you should take treatment accordingly. Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using health care magic. Wish you a very good health.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Hormone therapy
Loading Online Doctors....