Chemo first

akmom
akmom Member Posts: 2
I have triple negative breast cancer. My oncologist suggested chemo first then surgery. They did not do any tests to see if the cancer got smaller or is gone. Is this normal to do surgery without any tests to see how the cancer is? I finished my last chemo on March 3 and my surgery is scheduled for March 31.

Comments

  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    I also had chemo first
    I also had chemo first (triple neg inflammatory BC), 6 rounds TAC. My last chemo was Dec 9th and surgery Jan 14th. And there were no tests done prior to surgery to see how the cancer was, aside from palpating the breast. But you will get information with the surgical pathology report, they'll confirm the size of the tumor, clear margins, etc.

    I hope this helps. I'm sending positive thoughts and energy for an easy surgery and quick recovery.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • akmom
    akmom Member Posts: 2

    I also had chemo first
    I also had chemo first (triple neg inflammatory BC), 6 rounds TAC. My last chemo was Dec 9th and surgery Jan 14th. And there were no tests done prior to surgery to see how the cancer was, aside from palpating the breast. But you will get information with the surgical pathology report, they'll confirm the size of the tumor, clear margins, etc.

    I hope this helps. I'm sending positive thoughts and energy for an easy surgery and quick recovery.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    Chemo first
    Thanks, Linda! It does help! My husband keeps saying they should do a test or something! I tell him they know what they are doing, I hope! Thanks again!
  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    Surgery First
    I have tnbc, also. I was diagnosed as Stage IIa, Grade 3. I had surgery first which was followed by 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere. My last chemo was in August 2010. Congratulations of being finished with chemo. Some day it will be only a distant memory. Good luck on your surgery on March 31st. I will be thinking of you.