Breast Cancer/breast cancer

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Expert: - 2/4/2009


Question
my mom was diagnosed w/ infiltrating ductal carcinoma; her2 positive; er/pr negative; 2cm size; poorly differentiated nuclear grade 3, nottingham histologic score 9; stage 1; the question is should she get a lumpectomy or mastectomy; if this is aggressive like I read on her2 pos the shouldn't she get a masectomy; the md is telling her it is her choice; so we are confused; also what is tx for each after surgery

Answer
A lumpectomy COMBINED with postsurgical radiation therapy should give the same result with regards to risk as a mastectomy! However a sentinel lymph node biopsy should also be done. If cancer is found there probably a mastectomy should be preferred in combination with postsurgical radiation therapy and appropriate chemotherapy (taking into consideration that her tumor is her2 positive). If not I do not consider those moves as necessary since then it is indeed a stage 1. So apart from the node biopsy which you have not mentioned the choice is truly hers!

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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