What is a "multilobulated" tumor?
 

I hadn't paid too much attention to my pathology report but reading the site had me looking at it this evening and I am confused about a couple of things. My tumor was described as "multilobulated fairly well defined firm tax with a few foci of necrosis and hemorrhage. There are also multiple pale tan streaks throughout the mass." Does anyone know what this means? My tumor was 3 cm and I had no positive nodes under the arms. However, following my lumpectomy the oncologist found a tumor in the supraclavicular nodes. He was also surprised to find out I was Her2 "borderline". He described this (and I'm not sure I remember the numbers correctly) as ...if you are under 20 you are negative and over 22 positive and I was 21 or something...therefore borderline. I am on Herceptin and pray it will work for me.....on the site I get the impression that it works best for those who are powerfully Her2 positive so I worry a bit about that. Thanks to this wonderful site I have applied to the U of W Vaccine study and am being considered....the forms are in the mail now and I am happy. By the way, did 4 AC and 4 Taxol, radiation and am now on Arimidex and Herceptin.

Thanks

Cathy

Hi Cathya,

Are you going to participate in the vaccine trial while on Herceptin? Also How long will you be on Herceptin and when did you start it. I am also considering the vaccine trial but hesitating how will it interfere with the Herceptin.

regards,
Julie

Julie;

I am hoping to participate in the trial while on Herceptin. I have been communicating with Patty Fintak via email. She has said that I am potentially eligible for one of the vaccine studies (Protocol 118: Her2 Vaccine http://depts.washington.edu/tumorvac/synopsis2.html
She is forwarding me the medical release forms so that she can obtain my medical records to further assess my eligibility. I will discuss this with my oncologist on November 2nd. I hope to stay on Herceptin indefinitely but my oncologist has indicated one year and we have not discussed a further timeframe. I figured that this would be very helpful in case I am cut off Herceptin after one year. I understand it doesn't interfere with these treatments. I started Herceptin June 22rd, 2005 in conjunction with my last Taxol treatment and take it every three weeks.

Cathy

Hi Cathy,

Thanks for the response. The trial you have mentioned is for stage 4 people right? How are you able to participate in that? The trial I am being considered is
http://depts.washington.edu/tumorvac/synopsis1.html.

Thanks again for the quick reply.

Julie

Julie;

I really don't know why that is the one....at first it kind of depressed me as I have been thinking of myself as stage 3. My own doctor has not really called me a particular stage but rather said I have metatastic cancer. She did say that I "am potentially eligible for one of our vaccine studies" so perhaps she just put one link instead of a few. What is the difference between the two trials I wonder? It looks like my link is for those who are currently on Herceptin...which I indicated to her I was. I will read over both trials more carefully over the next couple of days and hope that I understand.....lol

Cathy