Stage II HR-Positive Invasive Lobular Carcinoma: Eutha's Survivor Story

What happened, in summary

Eutha Prince was diagnosed with Stage II invasive ductal and lobular breast carcinoma in 2012 after a suspicious finding on her yearly mammogram led to ultrasound and biopsy. Her tumor was estrogen receptor-positive, progesterone receptor-positive and HER2-positive, which helped her MSK team tailor treatment. Eutha needed surgery, but before the operation her doctors recommended an immunotherapy clinical trial for early-stage breast cancer. She received an injection of ipilimumab just days after diagnosis, before surgery, hoping the immune-based approach might improve outcomes for patients like her. She then had a right mastectomy and several lymph nodes removed. Because chemotherapy and radiation were still needed after mastectomy, her doctors advised waiting on breast reconstruction. Eutha completed 3 months of chemotherapy followed by 5 weeks of radiation, with strong family support at each treatment. About 8 months after radiation ended, she had TRAM flap reconstruction using her own skin and fat to create a new breast, along with reduction surgery on the other breast so the 2 sides would match more closely. No explicit NED or cancer-free status was provided. After treatment and reconstruction, Eutha returned to work as a community board district manager and embraced survivorship as a second chance to continue serving West Harlem.