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Pathology Received-Need Help Understanding

poppy2022
poppy2022 Member Posts: 7

Hi Everyone,

Just received my pathology on MyChart. Can’t talk to the surgeon and need help understanding the size of the invasive component? I’m confused on whether it is 28 mm plus DCIS or 20mm of DCIS and 8mm of invasive?

Your ValueThe localization lumpectomy specimen in part E has been submitted in its entirety for histologic examination. Sections show a 28 mm focus of grade 1 invasive carcinoma with extensive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). DCIS is present in slices 2-6 and in 10 of 25 total blocks. DCIS occupies approximately 20 mm (70%) of the 28 mm mass.

A separate second focus of grade 1 invasive carcinoma is identified in slice 10 (block E24), measuring 0.5 mm in maximum dimension. This second focus is located in the anteroinferior aspect of the lumpectomy, at least 8 mm from larger 28 mm mass. No DCIS is identified in the second focus. The intervening breast parenchyma between the larger and smaller tumour foci consists of benign breast tissue.

As listed in the synoptic report, all resection margins are negative for invasive carcinoma and DCIS. Invasive carcinoma in the 28 mm mass is present 0.1 mm from the posterior margin at its closest point. Invasive carcinoma is present 0.1 mm from the anterior margin in the second focus at its closest point.

SYNOPTIC REPORTYour ValueINVASIVE CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST: Resection

INVASIVE CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST: COMPLETE EXCISION - All Specimens

8th Edition - Protocol posted: 17/12/2021



SPECIMEN

Procedure: Excision (less than total mastectomy)

Specimen Laterality: Right



TUMOR

Tumor Site: Not specified

Histologic Type: Invasive carcinoma of no special type (ductal)

Histologic Grade (Nottingham Histologic Score):

Glandular (Acinar) / Tubular Differentiation: Score 1

Nuclear Pleomorphism: Score 2

Mitotic Rate: Score 1

Overall Grade: Grade 1 (scores of 3, 4 or 5)

Tumor Size: Greatest dimension of largest invasive focus (Millimeters): 28 mm

Tumor Focality: Multiple foci of invasive carcinoma

Number of Foci: 2

Sizes of Individual Foci (Millimeters): 28, 0.5 mm

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Present

: Positive for extensive intraductal component (EIC)

Size (Extent) of DCIS: Estimated size (extent) of DCIS is at least (Millimeters): 20 mm

Number of Blocks with DCIS: 10

Number of Blocks Examined: 25

Architectural Patterns: Cribriform

Architectural Patterns: Solid

Nuclear Grade: Grade II (intermediate)

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS): Not identified

Lymphovascular Invasion: Not identified

Dermal Lymphovascular Invasion: No skin present

Microcalcifications: Present in DCIS

Microcalcifications: Present in non-neoplastic tissue

Treatment Effect in the Breast: No known presurgical therapy



MARGINS

Margin Status for Invasive Carcinoma: All margins negative for invasive carcinoma

Distance from Invasive Carcinoma to Closest Margin: 0.1 mm

Closest Margin(s) to Invasive Carcinoma: Anterior

Closest Margin(s) to Invasive Carcinoma: Posterior

Distance from Invasive Carcinoma to Anterior Margin: 0.1 mm

Distance from Invasive Carcinoma to Posterior Margin: 0.1 mm

Margin Status for DCIS: All margins negative for DCIS

Distance from DCIS to Closest Margin: 0.5 mm

Closest Margin(s) to DCIS: Anterior

Distance from DCIS to Posterior Margin: 1.2 mm



REGIONAL LYMPH NODES

Regional Lymph Node Status:

: All regional lymph nodes negative for tumor

Total Number of Lymph Nodes Examined (sentinel and non-sentinel): 7

Number of Sentinel Nodes Examined: 7



PATHOLOGIC STAGE CLASSIFICATION (pTNM, AJCC 8th Edition)

Reporting of pT, pN, and (when applicable) pM categories is based on information available to the pathologist at the time the report is issued. As per the AJCC (Chapter 1, 8th Ed.) it is the managing physician's responsibility to establish the final pathologic stage based upon all pertinent information, including but potentially not limited to this pathology report.

TNM Descriptors: m (multiple foci of invasive carcinoma)

pT Category: pT2

pN Category: pN0



Comments

  • meow13
    meow13 Member Posts: 1,363

    It doesn't sound too bad 8 mm of invasive ductile cancer looks like grade 1. The DCIS non invasive about 2 cm.

    No node involvement really good. Overall a good early catch. Doesn't say anything about receptor status, estrogen or progesterone receptors or her2 status.

    They did see 2 foci, 2 tumors that could be a little more complicated but I wouldn't worry too much I had 2 tumors the were later found to be separate.



  • poppy2022
    poppy2022 Member Posts: 7

    Thank you so much for your quick reply! The earlier biopsy stated 100% ER and 100% PR and HER negative. I had a palpable lump for years that mammogram didn’t locate and US stated probably benign. Followed up every year and this last April they finally biopsied at a new clinic. Lots of concern that it was left for so long and the overall size varied drastically on imaging. That’s why I was a little concerned with the pathology. Also took almost 3 weeks to receive. Does staging include the DCIS, or only the invasive component

  • meow13
    meow13 Member Posts: 1,363

    I would think they are leaving it up to the oncologist to stage either 1 or 2. Usually DCIS alone is considered stage 0.

    Looks like they will probably suggest tamoxifen or AI drugs, given the hormone status. I was considered stage 1 because my ilc tumor (1 cm) and dlc tumor (1cm) were considered separate occurrences with 95% confidence.

    As far as the excision, do you know if they plan more surgery? The margins look tight to me, good to discuss it with your doctor. Good luck to you, I am now on my 11th year no cancer. I did 4 years AI treatment after a simple mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction. I was 95% er and 0% pr her2 negative.

  • poppy2022
    poppy2022 Member Posts: 7

    11 years is amazing! I was diagnosed in April, didn’t have the lumpectomy until the end of July and path report almost three weeks later. The anxiety of waiting was the worst part of it all. The surgeon said she went right to the chest wall when she removed the lump. I asked her about the margins prior to receiving the report and she said they would radiate rather than do a reincision. But now that the report is in I will find out her thoughts. Again, congrats on 11 years and your very helpful advice

  • meow13
    meow13 Member Posts: 1,363

    Are you a candidate for internal radiation, with it being close to the chest wall? I have a friend who did that, I guess it saves the skin and is more convenient.

  • poppy2022
    poppy2022 Member Posts: 7

    No idea. So far I have only worked with the surgeon. They don’t refer you to the oncologist or radiation clinic until you receive the pathology. I will definitely ask about that.

  • meow13
    meow13 Member Posts: 1,363

    good luck poppy

  • poppy2022
    poppy2022 Member Posts: 7

    just spoke with the oncologist, haven’t had my follow up with the surgeon. She is stating that the invasive part is 28mm plus another focus of DCIS. I’m confused as the way the pathology report words it it seems like the 28mm is 20mm of DCIS. “Your ValueThe localization lumpectomy specimen in part E has been submitted in its entirety for histologic examination. Sections show a 28 mm focus of grade 1 invasive carcinoma with extensive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). DCIS is present in slices 2-6 and in 10 of 25 total blocks. DCIS occupies approximately 20 mm (70%) of the 28 mm mass.“ Any help would be appreciated. They are requesting oncotype to determine chemo.

  • quietgirl
    quietgirl Member Posts: 165

    not to make it sound simple but you can for example have a gray hair on your head growing right next to a non gray hair. As compared to a hair that is bleached blonde on the end and has a gray root. So in this case it sounds like the doctor is saying you have this 28mm long mass of invasive and next to it there is 20 mm section of DCIS (because to call it dcis it can’t be broken open it in theory is completely enclosed. Does that make sense? I’m not even sure the section is one length of DCIS because notice has it says it’s in slice 2-6 and in 10 of 25 blocks so it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s one duct or a continuous strand. I don’t know that helps.

  • poppy2022
    poppy2022 Member Posts: 7

    Any help is greatly appreciated! I think the part that confuses me is that they say at least 20mm of the 28mm mass is DCIS. Yet the oncologist said that the full 28mm is IDC and there must be another mass of 20 mm DCIS. Contradicts the report. Her response wasn’t very confident and it’s making me question the whole thing,

  • poppy2022
    poppy2022 Member Posts: 7

    Thank you so much! I did have a MRI that identified 2 areas of concern, the other area was biopsied and confirmed benign breast tissue. Left breast a few cysts. I also had a Cat scan that was clear and a bone scan that were clear. Genetic testing showed a Chek mutation of unknown significance, so being treated as no genetic risk. No family history of breast or ovarian cancers. And I’m 46 years old.

    This board is the only thing carrying me through right now. Trying to get answers from the medical staff is so frustrating! I’ve asked a friend whose wife is affiliated with a large cancer Center to take a look and provide an opinion as well. I’ll keep everyone posted.