How Many Of You Have Been Told Your Were Basal

Topic Search Topic Options

Senior Member

Thanks(0)

I am not sure the interpretation by your onc is bullet proof. Basal is considered "stem cell type" and I would be curious to what reference in your pathology report caused your onc to say this. Can you get a copy of your path report?

I love and respect oncologists, but I have to say that I have gotten some pretty crummy interpretations and misstatements from a few.

I even got incredible factual errors from a tumor board, and from a breast surgeon consult. It was shocking, and a little dangerous.

Make it your business to read and understand what your path says--exactly what it says. It is possible that your onc meant one thing technically speaking and the path says something different.

Senior Member

Thanks(0)

My oncologist told me when I asked if my cancer was basal, that if the specific test was requested by the BS, it would have appeared on my pathology report - which it did not. She said it was not usually requested by most BS and that most labs do not perform it as part of the typical pathology performed after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Since my treatment was not going to change whether I was true basal or merely basal-like, I just let it go. I did call the pathology department of the Hospital that did my path report and they stated they hold the tumor for 20 years, and further testing could be done on it.

Linda - diagnosed at age 62
Diag 2/23/09 IDC 1.2 cent. IDC right breast,Stage 1, Grade 3,0/1 nodes - Triple Neg
4 DD AC every two weeks, 1 Dd Taxol, then 3 Taxotere every three weeks - rads x 33

Senior Member

Thanks(0)

I know my path report doesn't mention basal. When I get home I'll take a look at it and post what it says. Maybe in the future there will be further testing to identify sub-types. Linda, your probable right that it wouldn't have changed treatment.

DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15

Senior Member

Thanks(0)

I would think that for us triple negs it should be a "normal" test to do to then differentiate the exact sub-type we are. I realize we have no specific treatments for the triple neg sub-types but what if suddenly one comes up - then what do we do. We all run around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to find out how to have our tumor remnants tested for sub-type. Just wish they would make it mandatory testing if your receptors come up as triple neg. But, what do I know I'm just a breast cancer patient!

Linda - diagnosed at age 62
Diag 2/23/09 IDC 1.2 cent. IDC right breast,Stage 1, Grade 3,0/1 nodes - Triple Neg
4 DD AC every two weeks, 1 Dd Taxol, then 3 Taxotere every three weeks - rads x 33

Newbie

Thanks(0)

Been absent for a while but figured I'd chime in. I am(was) basal, and it is listed on my pathology report. That is why we went the neoadjuvent route with chemo, to make sure it worked. As for reoccurance and rates, I have chosen to read all the reports and study the charts and then cast them aside because I will be one who defies the statistics and is able to be a 50 + year survivor :D

However, I also have a file cabinet full of information on me and studies and keep up to date for the future and my girls in the hopes that one day they will sort it all out and can specifically zero in and reverse the cellular changes and we will never again need chemo or sad goodbyes due to this disease.

TNBC May 2008 @35
stage 2, grade 3
3.7 cm & under 1cm
BRCA2+
dose dense, neo-adjuvent
4AC& 4Taxotere
bilateral mast Oct.08
Reconstruction finished Nov 09
www.mishmashin.blogspot.com

Senior Member

Thanks(0)

That is one of the reasons I want to stay involved in learning what's coming down the pipes, for my children.

At my age I highly doubt I would be around to have a good treatment but my daughters carry my brca 1 mutation and it is of great concern as it would be with you or any mother affected with this disease, that my children, one who has already been diagnosed, have better treatments available and more specifically a cure.

Senior Member

Thanks(0)

Just saw this article:

Distinct choline metabolic profiles are associated with differences in gene expression for basal-like and luminal-like breast cancer xenograft models

DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09)
11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15

Senior Member

Thanks(0)

I received it today too as a Goggle Alert. I read it but I understand nothing! I felt as though I was reading another language.

Linda - diagnosed at age 62
Diag 2/23/09 IDC 1.2 cent. IDC right breast,Stage 1, Grade 3,0/1 nodes - Triple Neg
4 DD AC every two weeks, 1 Dd Taxol, then 3 Taxotere every three weeks - rads x 33

Groupie

Thanks(0)

I was told by my ONC on my first consult that the patholigist had indicated that my tumour was basal like thus I should be tested for BCRA.

On reading the path report though the only reference that I can see that made my ONC tell me it was basal is an additional comment:

"The tumour has a lymphoid infiltrate throughout the stroma and surrounding the main tumour mass, raising the possibility of a BRCA associated lesion" I have absolutely no idea what that means.

dx June 2009
Mas 30/june IDC, TN, Grade 3
3/18 nodes, Stage 2b?? Tum 4cm,2cm and 1cm

Age 39
Ouch - too stubborn for this beast got too much to do.

Senior Member

Thanks(0)

Kazza,
If I may interpret for you. It appears that you had white blood cells, lymphoid infitrate, surrounding at least one, if not all of the tumors, along with wbc throughout the tumor mass or stroma. This is seen in BRCA 1 associated breast tumors, and also in medullary breast tumors. BRCA pos breast tumors tend to have a high association with medullary features. A true medullary breast tumor would have other very defined features as well, are rare, and present a very favorable prognosis. In fact, a "true" medullary bc patient, bearing the other identified features, can sometimes stop treatment after excision only, requiring no chemo or radiation. On the other hand, BRCA associated tumors, which often have some medullary features, or tumors which are non BRCA but have some medullary features, do not get the "free pass".

Did your path report mention anything like "synctial growth patern", high nuclear pleomorphism, or any other feature?

Senior Member

Thanks(0)

Kazza, my memory may be fuzzy but it seems I have read more than once that brca tumors tend to be more basal like which would explain why they suggested testing. Just another thought.

Senior Member

Thanks(0)

Hi everyone. i don't think my path. report mentions anything about basal but after reading the various posts I am glad I am going for genetic testing. My path report did mention that my TN tumour had "metaplastic features" - which my onc. described as an more unique and aggressive cell profile along with a high grade rating

Post Reply	Page <1 23 4

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum