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Becky · 04-09-2007, 07:59 PM

My first pathology was done at a community hospital so I didn't feel comfortable without a big cancer center's assessment since they do tens of thousands of these every year. In many cases, (like grade of cancer), the tests are subjective and done by a human being's opinion. Therefore, you want someone who's seen thousands of slides because then that person's opinion is not subjective anymore but becomes more objective. My cancer was downgraded to Grade 2 (and reconfirmed by Johns Hopkins) and I feel very comfortable with this versus the community hospital.

If yours was done at a big cancer center, you should feel comfortable BUT - you did get 2 very conflicting reports. Which one is right? What if you couldn't tolerate antihormonals? With the 10% ER and PR - it wouldn't be so dangerous to not take something but at 80% - you better try to tolerate any and all side effects (I think you get what I mean). So - maybe a tie breaking opinion is what you need.

I hope this helps.

04-09-2007, 07:59 PM	#12
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	My first pathology was done at a community hospital so I didn't feel comfortable without a big cancer center's assessment since they do tens of thousands of these every year. In many cases, (like grade of cancer), the tests are subjective and done by a human being's opinion. Therefore, you want someone who's seen thousands of slides because then that person's opinion is not subjective anymore but becomes more objective. My cancer was downgraded to Grade 2 (and reconfirmed by Johns Hopkins) and I feel very comfortable with this versus the community hospital. If yours was done at a big cancer center, you should feel comfortable BUT - you did get 2 very conflicting reports. Which one is right? What if you couldn't tolerate antihormonals? With the 10% ER and PR - it wouldn't be so dangerous to not take something but at 80% - you better try to tolerate any and all side effects (I think you get what I mean). So - maybe a tie breaking opinion is what you need. I hope this helps. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"