Does tumor grade have a big effect on your treatment plan?

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BioAdoptMom3
BioAdoptMom3 Member Posts: 43
in Breast Cancer #1
I have IDC, stage 1, grade 3, no node involvement, hormone +, HER2- and am wondering how heavily the grade 3 tumor will weigh in my treatment plan. I know it is the most aggressive type. I have had a lumpectomy and a re-excision and will see the medical oncologist next week. Please be honest with me. I would rather be prepared for what may lie ahead (I already know rads is a given and most likley Tamoxifen, possibly chemo) than not. I know that no one can tell me what is going to happen and only the doctor can advise on the specifics, but your thoughts and any advice you have will certainly be appreciated because you all have been there.

Thanks in advance!

Nancy

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  • Katmy
    Katmy Member Posts: 93
    #2
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    I had a similar diagnosis.
    I had a similar diagnosis. Don't remember the grade but it was high. They also found a second kind of cancer called lobular in the same breast. I had a radical mastectomy. Following that: radiation (because of a positive margin) and then Chemotherapy with Taxotere and Cytoxin. Your order of therapies may be different because there was a clear margin.

    I am young (41) and so the surgeon said, "they are going to hit you with all their guns, because of your age." He was right. Radiation was a breeze. I even loved seeing the rad nurses every day. Chemotherapy is not a breeze, but the nurses are still great and they always help you feel better.

    I will go on Tamoxifen when all this is finished.

    -don't know if my case history is helpful to you. Take care.
  • BioAdoptMom3
    BioAdoptMom3 Member Posts: 43
    #3
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    Katmy said:

    I had a similar diagnosis.
    I had a similar diagnosis. Don't remember the grade but it was high. They also found a second kind of cancer called lobular in the same breast. I had a radical mastectomy. Following that: radiation (because of a positive margin) and then Chemotherapy with Taxotere and Cytoxin. Your order of therapies may be different because there was a clear margin.

    I am young (41) and so the surgeon said, "they are going to hit you with all their guns, because of your age." He was right. Radiation was a breeze. I even loved seeing the rad nurses every day. Chemotherapy is not a breeze, but the nurses are still great and they always help you feel better.

    I will go on Tamoxifen when all this is finished.

    -don't know if my case history is helpful to you. Take care.

    Your information was very
    Your information was very helpful to me! Thank you so much for taking the time to share!

    Nancy
  • crselby
    crselby Member Posts: 441 Member
    #4
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    Nancy, you had IDC, I had
    Nancy, you had IDC, I had DCIS (non-invasive) so of course our cancers are different. Mine, being DCIC, was stage 0, but it was grade 3, like yours. Who knows what would have happened if the mammo hadn't caught the microcalcifications so early? The docs all thought a lymph node biopsy was not necessary after I'd had an MRI which showed no other microcalcs. So after the surgery I had irradiation. No Oncotype DX test, no Her2nu tests were required, even though I begged for them. The docs never brought up the fact that the cancer was grade 3 in any treatment decisions. I did. They said, whatever you think is best. The medical onc wants MRIs and ultrasounds while the radiation oncologist wants semi-annual mammograms. The med onc insisted on Tamoxifen for 5 years, the rad onc didn't think it was necessary. What it boils down to is being happy with your decisions for the rest of your life. Akkkkk! No small thing!
    ~~Connie~~
  • csr771
    csr771 Member Posts: 117
    #5
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    Stage 1 - Post Menopausal
    My tumor was diagnosed as stage 1, 9cm with no node involvement. My cancer was non-agressive and hormone receptive. I had my second visit with the oncologist last week. On the first visit he prescribed the Oncotype DX test and a bone scan. The Oncotype DX test results indicated that I had a 10% chance of recurrence in the next ten years and chemo therapy would and only a 1 or 2% benefit to me. I should add that I am post menopausal. I am not doing chemo therapy. I am on Arimidex--one pill daily for the next 5 years.
  • LRN715
    LRN715 Member Posts: 34
    #6
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    I was recently diagnosed
    I was recently diagnosed with IDC, Stge 2, T2, Grade 3, and had a partial mastectomy, no node involvement. I will be starting chemo with cytoxin/traxeter (sp?), and some type of hormone pill afterwards,depending on how my bone scan turns out. May be Tamoxifen or Arimedex...I was told I was basically a Stage 1, but because of the Grade 3, it was aggressive enough to make it Stage 2, and thus the reason for chemo/radiation I figure I have one chance at this so want to get the most out of it. From what I was told the "coctail" I am going to be getting is not too harsh, and with all the anti-nausea meds, I should be okay.
  • BioAdoptMom3
    BioAdoptMom3 Member Posts: 43
    #7
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    Thank you to the rest of you
    Thank you to the rest of you too. It sure helps to hear about the experiences of others going through this and I really appreciate your advice and empathy! I am anxious to see what the medical oncologist advises on Wednesday, though I am pretty sure we'll have to wait for an oncotype test. I am also pre-menopausal, so I don't know if that will make a difference.

    Nancy

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