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tabi
tabi Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I wanted to let mom62 know that Im not stage 3 or 4 I am stage 2, that is why I'm confused on why so much treatment. My Dr did say that my tumor was grade 3 (aggressive) er/pr and her2 - plus a mastectomy, i just did not know if anyone else had or has similar treatment (tumor size 2cm) and 1/2 mm in 1 node?

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  • DiO
    DiO Member Posts: 51
    #2
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    I am also stage 2, 2cm tumor, one positive lymph node and er/pr+, her2-. I am being treated with 4 rounds of AC, 4 of taxol, then will have radiation and Arimidex. Dr. says if it's in even one lymph node I need to do chemo to make sure we get any stray cells floating around! Good luck!
  • I_will_survive
    I_will_survive Member Posts: 31
    #3
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    I was a stage I (no cancer in lymph nodes),Grade 3, non-er/pr , tumor was 2cm and I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. Like DiO the doctor said because of the agressiveness,we needed to get any stray cells they may have missed with surgery (altho they were pretty confident they got it all). I went thru 4 rounds of A/C and 4 of Taxotere and am now doing 36 sessions of radiation. Better to err on the safe side. Good luck to you!
  • inkblot
    inkblot Member Posts: 698 Member
    #4
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    Hi Tabi:

    I was Stage I. 1cm tumor. I had lumpectomy w/SLND also. Only a few immature micro cells in one of the 3 nodes takes. My tumor was hormone neg. but strongly Her/2neu positive (3+). I was premenopausal but the chemo immediately rendered me menopausal. I only had chemo due to the Her/2neu factor. A/C only and followed by rads. No further meds necessary in my case.

    It seems that many women can forego rads following mastectomy unless the doctor feels there are extenuating factors, etc.. I think it's best to hash this out with your oncologist, following a careful review and understanding of your path report. You want to make the best decisions for yourself, but you need to fully understand why you're making those decisions.
    Nothing answers some of our questions like solid research to find out what is generally recommended for other's with a path report similar to your own. Then take that info, together with whatever your doc is recommending and decide. Your doctor should be able to very clearly tell you what he's basing his recommendations upon. If he cannot, you are perhaps in need of a different physician. If you're still not able to come to a firm conclusion, after researching and talking at length with your onc., then get another opinion. This is YOUR body and YOUR life and only you can decide what's best for it, PRIOR to beginning any treatment.

    Love, light and laughter,
    Ink
  • billandpatty
    billandpatty Member Posts: 86
    #5
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    Tabi
    I was stage II, 2 cm tumor, 30 lymph nodes removed -- all negative, grade 3, ER-, premenopausal (like Ink, chemo put me into menopause). I had a lumpectomy, 4 rounds A/C chemo, 7 wks radiation -- no further treatment due to being ER-. (my diagnosis was 4 years ago). Chemo was recommended due to the tumor being grade 3.

    Stage II is a much better place to be, that had to be great news to your ears.

    When I was diagnosed, my surgeon was telling me no chemo and my onc. was telling yes chemo. When I really listened to the reasons why I needed to have chemo, I decided the pain and suffering I was going to have to endure for the short term would be worth it in the long run ... if I didn't do the chemo and had a recurrence, there would always be doubt that "I shoulda done it when I had the chance". These decisions are personal and only you know what you think you need to do.

    I'm glad I made the decision to go at the cancer with everything they suggested ... There are side effects, but when I get up in the morning -- it's worth it!

    Take care.

    Patty

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