I had multiple pathology test results so I read each independently of themselves to get a bigger picture of what was happening to me. My cancer was partly stage zero and stage 1a invasive ductal. The size was 4mm and I know that’s not huge but the initial radiologist that read my first diagnostic mammogram felt that I should wait six months. Being a nurse, I knew that was not a good decision and I opted for a biopsy. The biopsy was a bit rough because the invasive radiologist didn’t provide enough anesthesia to the area and I felt more pain than I ever felt in my life. I had to encourage him to give me more lidocaine to the site to complete the biopsy. They did give me more but I never want to experience that again. I was able to look at the biopsies material but I couldn’t see the mass. The surgeon took one sentinel lymph node and margins which all turned out clear. I did complete five concentrated target radiation therapies each day for five days. I feel that I did well with the therapy except for one episode of severe fatigue after the fourth treatment. Anyway, the point I want to make is to ask questions, bring a friend with you that will be your second set of ears, and most of all advocate for yourself.
Thank you for sharing your experience, which underscores the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. It's great to hear that your treatment was successful despite the challenges, and your advice about bringing a friend for support is invaluable. Thank you for watching!
@@claudiaovando8435 I didn’t have chemo. It wasn’t even offered to me. I have five rounds of concentrated radiation then started taking anastrozole.The mass was 0.4mm in size.
I so very much wish someone had directed me to your channel when I was first diagnosed! Would you also happen to have a video or content on anatomical vs. pathological staging? I keep seeing this in some of my records but no one has or will discuss it with me in detail or what it means for your diagnosis/prognosis/treatment paths.
Anatomical staging is based only on the anatomical extent of the tumor (size and spread). Pathological staging was introduced relatively recently and incorporates both anatomical features and tumor biological features like tumor grade, hormone receptor status (ER and PR), and HER2 status. Pathological staging is more precise. What is interesting is that clinicians already use the pathological features to make decisions and personalized treatment recommendations, so the pathological stage is rarely referred to in a given patient.
Hi! Could you talk about malignantcl calcifications? Mine were microcalcificacion triplea positive, being treated with chemo, radiation, trastuzumab, histerectomy and endocrine therapy, quite a lot. Stage 1. Sometimes it is confusing to me because i did not have a tumor. It was 1 cm lesion.
Thanks for writing. That is indeed a lot of treatment. Malignant calcifications are spots of calcium that are usually irregular and sometimes branched that tell doctors that there is cancer in that area. Even though a mass is not felt, this is still a tumor. Hoping that makes sense.
Great question. Imaging studies can be helpful in ruling out cancer. If there is a dominant (main) and solid mass that is clearly not benign, a biopsy is appropriate.
Can you pl read my pathological stage classification report which mentions pT1miNxMx( pTNM,AJCC- 8 th edition) and explain what my tumor classification is. I underwent Mastectomy after being diagnosed with Pappillary carcinoma with microinvasion ( less then .5mm)Thanks.
This is a Stage 1a tumor associated with an excellent prognosis. Wishing you the best. For a more comprehensive understanding of your case, especially if you're based in the U.S., consider visiting yerbba.com for personalized treatment options.
I had multiple pathology test results so I read each independently of themselves to get a bigger picture of what was happening to me. My cancer was partly stage zero and stage 1a invasive ductal. The size was 4mm and I know that’s not huge but the initial radiologist that read my first diagnostic mammogram felt that I should wait six months. Being a nurse, I knew that was not a good decision and I opted for a biopsy. The biopsy was a bit rough because the invasive radiologist didn’t provide enough anesthesia to the area and I felt more pain than I ever felt in my life. I had to encourage him to give me more lidocaine to the site to complete the biopsy. They did give me more but I never want to experience that again. I was able to look at the biopsies material but I couldn’t see the mass. The surgeon took one sentinel lymph node and margins which all turned out clear. I did complete five concentrated target radiation therapies each day for five days. I feel that I did well with the therapy except for one episode of severe fatigue after the fourth treatment. Anyway, the point I want to make is to ask questions, bring a friend with you that will be your second set of ears, and most of all advocate for yourself.
Thank you for sharing your experience, which underscores the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare. It's great to hear that your treatment was successful despite the challenges, and your advice about bringing a friend for support is invaluable. Thank you for watching!
You didn't do chemo? My tumor was less than 2 mm and they gave me the option of chemo in case a cell was hidding to reduce the reoccurance.
@@claudiaovando8435 I didn’t have chemo. It wasn’t even offered to me. I have five rounds of concentrated radiation then started taking anastrozole.The mass was 0.4mm in size.
Thank you, Dr. Griggs. for your helpful advice.
Thank you for watching!
I so very much wish someone had directed me to your channel when I was first diagnosed! Would you also happen to have a video or content on anatomical vs. pathological staging? I keep seeing this in some of my records but no one has or will discuss it with me in detail or what it means for your diagnosis/prognosis/treatment paths.
Anatomical staging is based only on the anatomical extent of the tumor (size and spread). Pathological staging was introduced relatively recently and incorporates both anatomical features and tumor biological features like tumor grade, hormone receptor status (ER and PR), and HER2 status. Pathological staging is more precise. What is interesting is that clinicians already use the pathological features to make decisions and personalized treatment recommendations, so the pathological stage is rarely referred to in a given patient.
Hi! Could you talk about malignantcl calcifications? Mine were microcalcificacion triplea positive, being treated with chemo, radiation, trastuzumab, histerectomy and endocrine therapy, quite a lot. Stage 1. Sometimes it is confusing to me because i did not have a tumor. It was 1 cm lesion.
Thanks for writing. That is indeed a lot of treatment. Malignant calcifications are spots of calcium that are usually irregular and sometimes branched that tell doctors that there is cancer in that area. Even though a mass is not felt, this is still a tumor. Hoping that makes sense.
Hi, can ultrasound and mamogram tell us if the tunour is malignant or not?
Great question. Imaging studies can be helpful in ruling out cancer. If there is a dominant (main) and solid mass that is clearly not benign, a biopsy is appropriate.
Can you pl read my pathological stage classification report which mentions pT1miNxMx( pTNM,AJCC- 8 th edition) and explain what my tumor classification is. I underwent Mastectomy after being diagnosed with Pappillary carcinoma with microinvasion ( less then .5mm)Thanks.
This is a Stage 1a tumor associated with an excellent prognosis. Wishing you the best. For a more comprehensive understanding of your case, especially if you're based in the U.S., consider visiting yerbba.com for personalized treatment options.
Thanks Dr Griggs. Unfortunately I am not US based.
Thank you for tuning in from outside the U.S.! It’s heartening to know our videos reach and hopefully help people worldwide.
THANK YOU Dr Griggs for your enlightening reassuring videos🙏
What does this mean pT1cN0 mammacarcinoma. It was in my pathology report i don’t know what stage is this . It is grade 2 Erpe+her2-
This is a Stage I (1) cancer.