Hello,
My sister-in-law went in for her first mamogram in January. She is 40. After a very long ordeal and a doc change they have done a double mastectomy and removed 6 lymphnodes on one side. They found 2 very small......... 1 cm and 2 cm DCIS they thought...........the 1cm ended up being invasive. The lymph results came back as all 6 were cancerous. Now 2 weeks later she is going in to tomorrow to have her 1st and 2 tier axillary nodes removed. Can anyone PLEASE explain to me what these tiers are? Also what stage this would be? Everything I read points to stage 3 except the tumor size. They have done a bone scan,MRI, CAT scan,upper GI and other tests yesterday, but the results are not back yet. She has a 2 and 4 year old. So sad!

Again I would appreciate any input anyone can give me on what this all means. I am lost!! :confused:

Hi,
I don't have any information that can help. Just wanted to offer my prayers, and keep this at the top so you can get the answers you need.
Please tell your sister in law to look into alternative therapies. Macrobiotic diets, essaic tea, and hyperthermia treatment in conjunction with chemo/radiation. And of course prayer (st. Jude's novena).
God bless,

I am so sorry for what you are going through. Know that positive attitude and supposrt from family & friends are the two most important things for your sister in law to have right now!

Just off the internet:

Stages
Stage 1
Tumor <=2 cm with no lymph node metastasis
Stage 2
Tumor >2 cm or positive lymph nodes
Stage 3
Locally advanced Breast Cancer (Skin or Chest wall)
Stage 4
Metastatic Breast Cancer (Lung, Liver, Bones, Brain)

I will keep you in my prayers. Know that treatments have advanced a lot in the past and people CAN survive breast cancer!