Microinvasion? HER2/NEU 1+?

tdmesser · New User Joined: 10 Sep 2005 Posts: 6

47yo premenopausal w/ no lump but w/ 1 area of calcifications on routine mammogram.
Path report from stereotactic biopsy:
Ductal Carcinoma in situ, high nuclear grade with comedo necrosis (Grade III) w/ focal microinvasion ER3+/PR 3+ HER2/NEU 1+

Trying to decide between lumpectomy w/ radiation or mastectomy w/ reconstruction. and whether to do sentinel node biopsy. or wait to see what surgery shows.
Concerns:
Don't really want to do mast so was planning on doing lump w/ rad because told survival rates same. But then heard if recurs then would have to do mast but then reconstruction very difficult. And read high nuclear grade w/ comedo necrosis most likely to recur. Also read that 50% of recurrance are invasive, which I guess would then mean I would need chemo in addition to Mast. Don't know what HER2/NEU stands for but read that HER2/NEU positive is bad, but since I'm only 1+ positive how bad is that?
Dr. said could do sentinel node biopsy and he probably would recommend it because of microinvasion. Said if all nodes clear then have peace of mind, but could find just a few cells and then there is no data on what that really means but would then probably have to have chemo, which may be over kill but maybe not. I know that I am "lucky" because it was caught early, but having so many choices and not knowing what to do makes my head hurt so bad I want to cry. Dr. said they is no right or wrong answer, except to do nothing, which of course unacceptable. Any thoughts or info would be so appreciated. Thanks

Muttsmom · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 12:11 am Post subject: Re: Microinvasion? HER2/NEU 1+?

Your oncologist should be able to tell you his recommendation.
The 5 year survival is the same with lumpectomy and mastectomy, but you have a higher chance of having a local reoccurence with a lumpectomy, which would mean a mastectomy. He should also know if a sentinal node biopsy is necessary or not. I think it's great he's giving you an input with your care, but he's the one that should be telling you what he feels is best, not leave it totally up to you. Then you weigh the options.
Yes, yours was caught early and your chances are very good that you won't have to deal with this beast again, but there are no guarentees.

I've only seen er/pr + or -, never seen a number next to it. The Her2 +1 is considered neg.
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