Focal LVI
My pathology report says lymphovascular invasion present, focal. What does focal mean? They also found 0.3 micrometastis in the sentinal lymph node. Does this mean I have cancer cells spreading in my blood?
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Hi @jenna1220x , Focal LVI means there is just one spot on the tumor where cancer cells have invaded the lymph or blood system. My path report specified that mine was lymphatic rather than vascular. You should ask your doctor about your type of invasion. I also had one positive node.
My breast surgeon said it was possible the cancer cells had not left the breast/axillary node area yet but there was no way of knowing for sure. Not all cells that escape survive and metastasize and people can develop MBC without LVI being seen. My treatment plan didn’t change much because of this. My RO added axillary radiation to the whole breast radiation that was planned.
I sympathize with the shock you are probably dealing with. I had the impression that treatment would cure me but this was a reminder that we all live with the chance of recurrence. Hugs for you.
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@maggie15 Thank you so much for always replying. I appreciate it so much. My pathology report doesn't specify whether it's lymphatic or vascular. I'm just so confused and am scared all day because my surgeon and oncologist give me conflicting information. I feel like I have to change my oncologist because he's been very negative since I declined chemo that he recommended. My surgeon said he considered me "cancer free" after surgery. He said he removed the tumor with clear margins and removed the lymph node "just in time". But that doesn't make sense to me because he has no way of knowing if anything traveled elsewhere in my body. Before the oncotype score, the surgeon said I had slow growing cancer because of the mitotic rate and the oncologist says I have aggressive cancer based on my oncotype. All I can think about is cancer spreading :( . Thank you again so much. Hugs to you as well ♡
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