Breast Cancer

The type of cancer that I was diagnosed with can be  seen under info on my cancer

Stage II
This stage describes invasive breast cancer in which:

The tumor measures at least two centimeters, but not more than five centimeters, OR

Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm on the same side as the breast cancer. Affected lymph nodes have not yet stuck to one another or to the surrounding tissues, a sign that the cancer has not yet advanced to stage III. (The tumor in the breast can be any size.)

Is the cancer the result of oncogene overexpression? (Her-2 positive)

Your doctors will also try to measure proteins "secreted" (or produced) by the breast cancer cells. They are looking for something called oncogene overexpression or amplification. Oncogenes are bits of genetic information inside the body's cells that usually work to protect us from cancer, by keeping cell growth in check.

Oncogene overexpression happens when an oncogene (such as the one called HER2/neu) malfunctions and "overexpresses" itself (like screaming instead of talking) by making excess normal or abnormal proteins and receptors. This can lead to cancer. Cancers that result from overexpressed oncogenes such as HER2/neu tend to be more nasty or belligerent and are more likely to recur than other cancers. They also may respond to different types of treatment than other breast cancers.

Are hormone receptors present?

Receptors for the female hormones estrogen and progesterone are another key personality feature of breast cancer.
These receptors are the eyes and ears of the breast cells, getting messages sent by the hormones and figuring out what to do with these messages. The hormones will tell the receptors to stimulate or "turn on" breast cell growth. Estrogen and progesterone can increase both normal and abnormal breast cell growth.
If a tumor is estrogen-receptor positive (ER-positive), it is more likely to grow in a high-estrogen environment. ER-negative tumors are usually not affected by the levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body. This is one time when hearing the word "positive" may really mean something good.
As ER-positive cancers are more likely to respond to anti-estrogen therapies. If you have an ER-positive cancer, you may respond well to tamoxifen (Nolvadex), a drug that works by blocking the estrogen receptors on the breast tissue cells and slowing their estrogen-fuelled growth.

The surgery I had was a: modified radical mastectomy

A modified radical mastectomy removes the entire breast and includes a procedure called axillary dissection, in which levels I and II (of three levels) of the axillary lymph nodes in the underarm area) are also removed. Most women who have mastectomies today have modified radical mastectomies.

The other 2 types you can have are:
"simple" or "total" mastectomy, the surgeon removes the entire breast but does not take out any axillary lymph nodes
Or
Radical mastectomy includes removal of the entire breast, all underarm lymph nodes, and chest wall muscles under the breast.

The reconstruction I had was a latissimus dorsi back flap

Latissimus Dorsi Flap: This takes its name from the back muscle that lies below the shoulder and behind the armpit. The latissimus dorsi muscle is swung forward to re-create the new breast

Pluses and minuses of latissimus dorsi

• Plus: Many breast surgeons like this procedure because the flap is easily slipped around front, through a short tunnel in the skin, and put into position. Generally this procedure produces excellent results with few complications.
• Minus: The skin on your back has a different color and texture than breast skin.
• Minus: Latissimus dorsi also results in some back asymmetry (unevenness in the appearance of your back). Usually, though, back function and strength aren't affected.

 This information can be found at www.breastcancer.org