HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Docetaxel, cisplatin, and trastuzumab show great result

Audrey · 05-04-2006, 05:51 PM

Steph, regarding tumor size--I think Her2+ tumors can get really large quickly in some cases. My tumor was 15 cm (!) and I'm only 5 ft. tall (100 lbs. at diagnosis). You ask who wouldn't notice a large tumor? It's not all just women in denial or ignoring palpable masses...My tumor was not detected by my ob-gyn, two breast surgeons, not visible on mammogram or noted on ultrasound. I presented with a bloody nipple discharge, had a nipple biopsy, which showed atypical cells/DCIS, then underwent a mastectomy. Only the pathologist's report showed invasive cancer and noted the large tumor size. When I asked everybody how they could have missed something so large, the surgeon noted that the tumor was not a large mass like a grapefruit, but more like a slender snake...Also, since I was younger (36) my breasts were very dense and this makes mammograms harder to read. I used to think I was doomed since the tumor was so large, but I've had a few friends in support groups who had very small tumors at diagnosis and have since passed away. You really can't tell one's future based on tumor size anymore. Anyway, this was all 5 years ago and I'm doing fine..

05-04-2006, 05:51 PM	#2
Audrey Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 212	Steph, regarding tumor size--I think Her2+ tumors can get really large quickly in some cases. My tumor was 15 cm (!) and I'm only 5 ft. tall (100 lbs. at diagnosis). You ask who wouldn't notice a large tumor? It's not all just women in denial or ignoring palpable masses...My tumor was not detected by my ob-gyn, two breast surgeons, not visible on mammogram or noted on ultrasound. I presented with a bloody nipple discharge, had a nipple biopsy, which showed atypical cells/DCIS, then underwent a mastectomy. Only the pathologist's report showed invasive cancer and noted the large tumor size. When I asked everybody how they could have missed something so large, the surgeon noted that the tumor was not a large mass like a grapefruit, but more like a slender snake...Also, since I was younger (36) my breasts were very dense and this makes mammograms harder to read. I used to think I was doomed since the tumor was so large, but I've had a few friends in support groups who had very small tumors at diagnosis and have since passed away. You really can't tell one's future based on tumor size anymore. Anyway, this was all 5 years ago and I'm doing fine..