Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 10/30/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am 42. I was diagnosed with DCIS and IDC in early June after a lump was removed. The site was re-excised to get to negative margins. The tumor was about 1 cm, estrogen positive, HER2 negative. The sentinel node tested positive, and all the lymph nodes were removed. No other tested positive. It was determined as IIA. In another answer you say it is Stage III. Could you please explain. I am undergoing a chemotherapy, looking at radiation therapy next month. With all the future risks of radiation shall I undergo it? What about PBT?

ANSWER: A stage 2 A i9s also likely if no other mets were found in any lymph nodes. I completely agree with your therapy.Yes you should have radiation too! Please I'm a Swede in Sweden. English is not my first language. What is PBT?


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

QUESTION: Well, I am a Bulgarian in the US.:) I asked you because I was impressed by your qualifications. A PBT stands for Proton Beam Therapy. What is your opinion on it, please? I am sorry, I misspelled, it is stage IIB because of the one lymph node that was positive. They told me that not the whole node was "full". How would you interpret that?

Answer
Well it had spread to that node but not completely. Otherwise it would be worse. But yet it had spread and you should be treated accordingly. I hate abbreviations. They increase the risk of misunderstandings! Proton beams are used against small targets. They are not useful here.