Happy Pathology/Successful Surgery!

Today Dr. Beckman called with the pathology report. The tumor size is 2 cm (fairly impressive growth for 6 months but, in my opinion, still small :)), it is estrogen positive (that's good), progesterone negative (that's good), the lymph nodes were clear and so were the margins they took from around the tumor. However, the HER2/neu is amplified (probably not so good). 

HER2/neu is an oncogene which is a gene that causes or promotes unrestrained cell growth. This in turns makes normal cells abnormal - or converts them into a tumor cell. Patients with this may be more likely to have a recurrence.  There are some research studies that suggest this gene to be resistant to certain anticancer drugs - but - it is being research. 

Since I never played a doctor on TV, I only know what I have researched myself on the web. Whatever did we do before the web?

Thursday Scott and I are meeting with the Medical Oncologist and with Dr. Beckman. Then we will find out more about the cancer and the next step towards treatment.

As Dr. Beckman said, the surgery was a success!!!