Treatment FAQ

what to ask your oncologist for the treatment of stage 2 invasive lobular breast cancer/

by Cara Abernathy Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What is the treatment for Stage 2 breast cancer?

Invasive lobular carcinoma is divided into four stages. Staging is based on several factors, including the size of the tumor, where it’s located and how far it has spread: Stage 1: The tumor is up to 2 centimeters (cm) across and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes. Stage 2: At this stage, the tumor may be about 2 cm across and the cancer ...

Is lobular breast cancer ER+ or HER2-invasive?

Hanh-Tam Tran, M.D. Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common form of breast cancer diagnosed in the United States, representing 10% to 15% of diagnosed invasive breast cancers. (Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common.) Breast surgeon Hanh-Tam Tran, M.D., explains what you should know about this type of breast cancer.

What is the treatment for invasive lobular carcinoma?

Feb 04, 2022 · Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second most common type of breast cancer, after invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). About 10% of all breast cancers are invasive lobular carcinomas, according to the American Cancer Society. Advertisement. Invasive means the cancer has spread into surrounding breast tissues.

What is the most common grade of invasive lobular cancer?

Mar 09, 2021 · The bottom line. In stage 2 breast cancer, cancer cells have not spread beyond the breast or nearby lymph nodes. Knowing the HR and HER2 status of your stage 2 …

What should I ask my breast cancer oncologist?

Questions to ask your medical oncologist
  • What is the hormone status of my tumor? ...
  • What is my HER2 status? ...
  • Do you recommend any genomic testing of the tumor? ...
  • What do the results of these tests mean?
  • Do you share electronic records with my surgeon?

Is chemotherapy necessary for Stage 2 breast cancer?

If you've been diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, the outlook is very good. You are more likely to have chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy than if your tumor was stage 1, but these tumors are still very treatable.Mar 18, 2022

What is the standard treatment for stage 2 breast cancer?

Stage II cancers are treated with either breast-conserving surgery (BCS; sometimes called lumpectomy or partial mastectomy) or mastectomy. The nearby lymph nodes will also be checked, either with a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) or an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND).

What should I ask my oncologist?

7 Key Questions to Ask Your Oncologist
  • Where and when do you recommend getting a second opinion? ...
  • What can I do to preserve my fertility? ...
  • Is a clinical trial right for me? ...
  • What should I do if I'm simply having trouble coming to grips with my diagnosis? ...
  • What is the goal of my treatment? ...
  • What will my treatment cost?
Jul 22, 2020

Does Stage 2 breast cancer always return?

In most cases, it doesn't come back, but it can't be ruled out. If there's a recurrence, breast cancer is most likely to come back within the first 2 years after you've finished treatment. So it's especially important to pay attention to your health and well-being particularly during this time.Mar 19, 2021

Can Stage 2 breast cancer Spread to Bones?

The bones are one of the most common sites of breast cancer metastases. When metastatic breast cancer spreads to the bones, it's called bone metastases.

Is Stage 2 breast cancer treatable?

Stage II breast cancers are curable with current multi-modality treatment consisting of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and hormonal therapy. Effective treatment of stage II breast cancer requires both local and systemic therapy.

What is invasive ductal carcinoma grade 2?

Stage 2: The tumor is small and has spread to one to three of your lymph nodes. Or, the tumor is larger, but hasn't spread to any of your lymph nodes.Nov 29, 2021

What is the prognosis for Stage 2 breast cancer?

Overall, the prognosis for stage 2 breast cancer is generally good. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate is: 99 percent for localized breast cancer (has not spread outside the breast) 86 percent for regional breast cancer (spread to nearby lymph nodes)Mar 9, 2021

What happens on first visit to oncologist?

At the first appointment, the oncologist will talk about treatment options. The doctor will explain which ones are available, how effective they are and what the side effects may be. Then the oncologist will recommend a course and talk about when the treatments should take place.

What should a doctor ask a patient?

Here are 5 questions every medical practice should ask when a new patient arrives.
  • What Are Your Medical and Surgical Histories? ...
  • What Prescription and Non-Prescription Medications Do You Take? ...
  • What Allergies Do You Have? ...
  • What Is Your Smoking, Alcohol, and Illicit Drug Use History? ...
  • Have You Served in the Armed Forces?
Jun 13, 2015

What should I ask my oncologist after treatment?

Questions to Ask Your Doctor When You Have Finished Treatment
  • How long will it take for me to get better and feel more like myself?
  • What kind of care should I expect after my treatment?
  • What long-term health issues can I expect as a result of my cancer and its treatment?
  • What is the chance that my cancer will return?
Apr 11, 2022

What is stage 2 breast cancer?

Stage 2 breast cancer is considered "invasive," meaning that cancer cells have broken out of the ducts or lobules of the breast. This is not the same as metastatic (stage 4) breast cancer. 4  It simply means that abnormal cells have passed through a thin layer of tissue called the basement membrane and have the potential to spread. 3:01.

How long does it take to recover from stage 2 breast cancer?

You may then consider breast reconstruction. 13 . You may spend three to 18 months or longer in the active treatment of stage 2 breast cancer.

Why do you need radiation after a mastectomy?

According to the American Cancer Society, radiation therapy may be used after lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery) to mitigate the risk of cancer cells recurring in the same breast or nearby lymph nodes. After a mastectomy, an oncologist may determine that radiation is necessary if the tumor was larger than 5 cm, if there was lymph node involvement, or if cancer was found outside of surgical margins. 23

What is systemic treatment for breast cancer?

Systemic treatments (adjuvant): These therapies will affect your whole body and will help prevent a recurrence. 10 Depending on your age, general health, hormone receptor status, lymph node involvement , and HER2 testing results, you may be given chemotherapy, hormonal therapy including either tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, or a HER2 targeted therapy such as Herceptin. 11 With triple-negative breast cancer, immunotherapy can sometimes be part of systemic therapy. The drug Olaparib (a PARP inhibitor) is now being used as part of systemic therapy for people who are BRCA positive.

What does N1 mean in cancer?

N1 is used to describe tumors that have spread to at least one lymph node near the tumor. M stands for metastasis: All stage 2 cancer is M0, meaning no metastases are present. 8 . No tumor has been found in breast tissue, but cancer cells have lodged in lymph nodes near your breast.

How long does it take for breast cancer to grow?

The average doubling time for breast cancer tumors is between 50 and 200 days. Breast cancer tumor growth rate is impacted by hormonal factors, such as hormone receptor status and HER2 status.

How often do you have to check up on a cancer patient?

After your treatment is completed, you will have a five-year minimum follow-up period with your oncologist; check-ups will take place every three then every six months. 15

What You Need to Know

Age increases the risk of invasive lobular carcinoma. According to the American Cancer Society, about two-thirds of women diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma are age 55 or older.

ILC Symptoms

Some invasive lobular carcinomas do not cause symptoms. In other cases, you might notice:

What does stage 2 mean for breast cancer?

Support. Summary. If you have stage 2 breast cancer, it means that the cancer hasn’t spread beyond the breast tissue or nearby lymph nodes. Cancer isn’t a single disease. It’s a group of diseases, and breast cancer is no different. Because there are different types, not all stage 2 breast cancers are treated the same way.

What test is done to determine the stage of breast cancer?

imaging tests. biopsy results. If surgery is done to examine the breast tissue, laboratory test results on the tissue and lymph nodes will be able to provide more information. Based on these results, your doctor will be able to determine the pathologic stage, or surgical stage, of the cancer.

What are the factors that affect breast cancer staging?

Breast cancer staging is complicated. There are a few other factors that can affect the overall staging diagnosis, including a tumor grading system and the presence of certain receptors in breast cancer cells.

How big is a breast tumor?

The primary tumor is 2 centimeters (cm) or smaller and cancer cells are found in fewer than 4 of the axillary lymph nodes. The breast tumor is between 2 and 5 cm, but there’s no lymph node involvement. The breast tumor is between 2 and 5 cm and the cancer has reached 4 or fewer lymph nodes.

How many stages of breast cancer are there?

These factors are combined to determine the cancer stage. Breast cancer is staged from 1 to 4.

What is tumor grade?

A tumor grading system provides an indication of how fast cancer cells are likely to grow and spread. At higher grades, the cancer is considered more aggressive. In addition, the tumor will be tested for receptors that can affect your treatment options and provide a better idea of what to expect.

How long does chemo last?

Chemotherapy for breast cancer is typically given in cycles of about 1 or 2 to 3 weeks. You’ll be given chemotherapy through an IV on one day of the week, or for a few days in a row.

Why is staging important for breast cancer?

An important part of diagnosing breast cancer is staging. Staging is the process of finding out how much cancer there is and where it is located. This information is used to plan cancer treatment and develop a prognosis. Staging is a way to make sure you get the best possible treatment.

What is stage 0 breast cancer?

Stage 0 means the cancer cells are still within the breast lobule and have not invaded deeper into the surrounding fatty breast tissue. This is called lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), a non-invasive breast cancer.

How big is a tumor in the arm?

The tumor is larger than 2 cm across and less than 5 cm but hasn't spread to the lymph nodes.

How big is stage IIB?

Stage IIB. One of the following applies and the cancer hasn't spread to distant sites: The tumor is larger than 2 cm and less than 5 cm across. It has spread to one to three axillary lymph nodes and/or tiny amounts of cancer are found in internal mammary lymph nodes on sentinel lymph node biopsy.

How big is a tumor in axillary lymph nodes?

The tumor is 2 cm or less across (or is not found) with micrometastases in one to three axillary lymph nodes (the cancer in the lymph nodes is greater than 0.2mm across and/or more than 200 cells but is not larger than 2 mm). The cancer has not spread to distant sites.

How many lymph nodes does cancer spread to?

Cancer has spread to 10 or more axillary lymph nodes.

Where does cancer spread?

The cancer can be any size and may or may not have spread to nearby lymph nodes. It has spread to distant organs or to lymph nodes far from the breast. The most common sites of spread are the bone, liver, brain or lung.

Grade 2 invasive lobular breast cancer

Hi, I was dianosed in April this year with the same , I had grade 2/3 invasive cancer , I had a routine managram check up, as you I was really shocked and didnt know how to feel about it all really, however I have had my lump removed , and lymph nodes taken, that for me is quite a strange painful recovery, like stinging nettles pain , can not really explain it but not very nice.

Grade 2 invasive lobular breast cancer

I will have to take them but not untill all my treatment is done 5 - 10 years i think , if you are really stressed you can start to take them I think, I have a friend who is taking hers already, the treatment seems to somewhat differ I think, I was not offered a MRI scan and I know a few ladies that I was in hospital with on the day of my lumpsecomy were given Hormone therapy before the surgery, so it seems slightly different for each one.

Grade 2 invasive lobular breast cancer

I think its tamoxifen I will taking, not sure if it during or after radiotherapy, as far as I no it's an opp first then radiotherapy and hormone therapy, mine is lobuler cancer and its 3cm.

Grade 2 invasive lobular breast cancer

Thanks Ill let you know how is goes, but im a half glass full person, so i am expecting that the results is gonna be good, but the doubt is the worst and I am human as we all are so rollon tomorrow x but I agree the waiting it the killer !!

Grade 2 invasive lobular breast cancer

Hey, was just sat thinking about you, how did it go yesterday? Hope all is well x

Grade 2 invasive lobular breast cancer

I have been reading your post and wondered how you are getting on. I was diagnosed with Grade 2 lobular breast cancer in July. I had an MRI scan which showed there were 2 cancerous areas which totalled an area of 50mm.

Grade 2 invasive lobular breast cancer

Hi there, I had a mastectomy 7 weeks ago as mri had shown the tumour was larger at 7.9cm was told radiotherapy and hormone therapy for 10 yrs, Had my oncotype results back just yesterday morning and was told I had 2 types grade 2 and grade 3 so re diagnosed overall grade 3 stage 3 and had a recurrence score of 44 out of 100 !! So taking all in consideration and age i have now got to have chemo to, although I was prepared for It I was also stunned as It seems all along this journey my diagnosis keeps changing! But if any constellation I befriended a lady in hospital with the same diagnosis as you and she didnt need the chemo just radiotherapy and hormone therapy...good luck and best wishes on your journey xx.

Where does stage IV breast cancer go?

If it spreads to other organs, becoming Stage IV breast cancer, it typically goes to the colon, uterus, ovary, stomach, lung, bone, and other areas. Materials on this page courtesy of National Cancer Institute.

What is invasive breast cancer?

What Is Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer? Invasive breast cancer that begins in the lobules (milk glands) of the breast and spreads to surrounding normal tissue.

What is the difference between lobular carcinoma and lobular carcinoma?

What Is The Difference Between Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC) and Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)? LCIS means the cancer is still contained in the milk glands and has not invaded any other area. ILC is cancer that began growing in the lobules and is invading the surrounding tissue.

Is invasive lobular carcinoma the second most common type of breast cancer?

Invasive lobular breast cancer is the second most common type of breast cancer. Over 10% of invasive breast cancers are invasive lobular carcinomas. Though mammograms are helpful and important, they are less likely to detect invasive lobular breast cancer than other types of breast cancers. Invasive lobular cancer doesn’t always appear clearly on ...

Is lobular carcinoma grade I or II?

It can be commonly identified as a higher stage cancer. Invasive lobular carcinoma is known for being a slow growing tumor, usually grade I or II. Slow growing, grade I tumors don’t usually respond well to chemotherapy, so hormonal therapy is key for this type of cancer.

Is lobular breast cancer HER2 or ER+?

Over 80% of the time, invasive lobular breast cancer is ER+ and HER2-. Sometimes invasive lobular breast cancer can be larger than it appears to be when reviewing a mammogram because of the way it grows. It can be commonly identified as a higher stage cancer.

What are the treatments other than surgery?

These questions apply mainly to undergoing treatment other than surgery, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy .

What to bring to a meeting to take notes?

Bring a notebook and pen so you can take notes.

Is it normal to have questions about a diagnosis?

Diagnosis, treatment, and the rest of your life, you’ll go through many phases and it’s normal to have questions about all of them. We’re here for you with questions you can ask your doctor when you’re ready to have those conversations.

Can you feel rushed at a cancer appointment?

We know that medical appointments can often feel rushed. To get the most out of your time with your cancer care team, here are some ways to prepare:

Overview

Staging

Treatment

Survival Rates

Follow-Up Care

Coping

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When is radiation usually used to treat stage 2 breast cancer?
    According to the American Cancer Society, radiation therapy may be used after lumpectomy (breast-conserving surgery) to mitigate the risk of cancer cells recurring in the same breast or nearby lymph nodes. After a mastectomy, an oncologist may determine that radiation is necess…
  • How quickly do breast cancer tumors grow from stage to stage?
    Cancer cells divide and multiply quickly in such a way that as a tumor gets bigger, it divides and grows even faster. The average doubling time for breast cancer tumors is between 50 and 200 days. Breast cancer tumor growth rateis impacted by hormonal factors, such as hormone recept…
See more on verywellhealth.com

A Word from Verywell

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9