HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Help needed in understanding my pathology report

Laurel · 11-01-2010, 07:05 PM

Meglove,

You have invasive breast cancer (IBC) that is mucinous. Mucinous BC tends to be less aggressive, with a low miotic rate, meaning it is replicating slowly. It is usually found in the presence of "extensive" ductal cancer in situ (DCIS), which means cancer confined to the ducts. You are right that you are grade 2 DCIS, however your invasive component, the IBC, will determine your staging. I think you said it was a centimeter, which should place you as Stage 1b, N0 (no positive nodes). As for the grade of your mucinous component (the IBC) I am guessing it is a low grade, most mucinous cancer is. As I told you previously, mucinous cancer makes up only approx. 2% of all breast cancers. It tends to be less aggressive, and is usually not Her2 positive. Having the bilateral mastectomy was a good move. Are you having reconstruction? It is so worth the effort.

All in all, you could be in a much worse position. My guess is with chemo and Herceptin you will have a very favorable prognosis.

11-01-2010, 07:05 PM	#4
Laurel Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hershey, PA. Live The Sweet Life! Posts: 2,005	Re: Help needed in understanding my pathology report Meglove, You have invasive breast cancer (IBC) that is mucinous. Mucinous BC tends to be less aggressive, with a low miotic rate, meaning it is replicating slowly. It is usually found in the presence of "extensive" ductal cancer in situ (DCIS), which means cancer confined to the ducts. You are right that you are grade 2 DCIS, however your invasive component, the IBC, will determine your staging. I think you said it was a centimeter, which should place you as Stage 1b, N0 (no positive nodes). As for the grade of your mucinous component (the IBC) I am guessing it is a low grade, most mucinous cancer is. As I told you previously, mucinous cancer makes up only approx. 2% of all breast cancers. It tends to be less aggressive, and is usually not Her2 positive. Having the bilateral mastectomy was a good move. Are you having reconstruction? It is so worth the effort. All in all, you could be in a much worse position. My guess is with chemo and Herceptin you will have a very favorable prognosis. __________________ Smile On! Laurel Dx'd w/multifocal DCIS/IDS 3/08 7mm invasive component Partial mast. 5/08 Stage 1b, ER 80%, PR 90%, HER-2 6.9 on FISH 0/5 nodes 4 AC, 4 TH finished 9/08 Herceptin every 3 weeks. Finished 7/09 Tamoxifen 10/08. Switched to Femara 8/09 Bilat SPM w/reconstruction 10/08 Clinical Trial w/Clondronate 12/08 Stopped Clondronate--too hard on my gizzard! Switched back to Tamoxifen due to tendon pain from Femara 15 Years NED I think I just might hang around awhile....