Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 10/21/2008

Question
QUESTION: my aunt had a mastectomy a few days back as she had infiltrating ductal carcinoma her path report says that the size of tumour was 2*1*1 cm with the tumor touching the posterior margin the six lymph nodes removed were free of cancer the oncologist has advised only radiation and no chemo she is 62 .the tomor is grade 2 . the modified R.B. score is 3+2+2=7 with the shin not involved.on immunohistochemistry ER-uninterpretable PR-Positive (score 6)CerbB2-negative . 1)Is radiation for 30 back to back days enough AND IF NOT WHAT ELSE DO YOU SUGGEST US TO DO 2) CAN YOU TELL WHAT STAGE IS IT ?
THANKS

ANSWER: Yes she should definitely have radiation therapy! She is a stage 1 or 2. If her hormonal receptors are positive she SHOULD also have (anti) hormonal treatment. I do not think chemotherapy is necessary with a grade 2 tumor. GOOD LUCK!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: can you tell something more about hormonal therapy and hormonal receptors

Answer
In your first question you mention that her tumor was PR positive. PR means progesterone which is a female sex hormone. So her tumor DOES HAVE receptors for that hormone. There was also ER - which stands for estrogen the other female sex hormone - but you could not read that. THAT is very important! If her tumor is positive for receptors for both estrogen & progesterone her tumor is hormone dependent. By giving an anti estrogen drug all tumor growth can in that case then be retarded and maybe stopped with rather few side effects! So ask her dr about that!