Cancer outside of the lymph nodes?!
Question:
Cancer outside of the lymph nodes?
What does this typically mean for the patient who has ductal invasive breast cancer and then it was found inside almost all auxillary lymph nodes and also outside of them? What could this possibly mean for the future of the patients survival and the diagnosis? Anybody who has been through this or has answers to this please feel welcome to post. Thanks for all your help.
Answers:
First of all, ductal invasive breast cancer is the most common breast cancer. From the information you have told me, there is a high chance that the cancer will metastasize (which means that cells can enter the lymphatic system or bloodstream and spread to other sites in the body). I can gather that surgery will be performed first to remove all cancerous cells and may be followed with chemotherapy (Tamoxifen or Taxol, among others) or hormonal therapy. Depending whether or not there will be be a recurrence (local or distant), especially in the case of spreading to the other breast , your doctor may suggest performing a lumpectomy or mastectomy or possibly systemic therapy. Unfortunately, I cannot include statistics regarding survival rates, but can tell you that the survival rate is high. I also have to add that although I am quite knowledgeable in this field, I do not have a medical license (yet!) and I don't have enough information (i.e. pathology report and scans), so I cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information I have provide for you. :P
Take care and good luck!