yes or no to chemo???

bev72362

I was diagnosed on Sept. 12th with Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma-had a Lumpectomy and 14 nodes removed on Sept. 21(my father passed away the evening of Sept. 20)-both the surrounding tissue and nodes are clear-tumor size 1 cm-Path report indicates that lymphatic invasion is present. On my first visit to the oncologist, her recommendation is to follow protocol of 6-1/2 weeks radiation and Tamoxifen. However, the size of my tumor is borderline for taking chemo she says. She was pleased with everything on my path reports except for the lymphatic invasion. Am participating in the Oncotype DX case study for my risk factor of reoccurance-but if that comes back (I should have results on Oct. 24)saying my risk factor is low for reoccurance, should I take chemo anyways?

3cbrca

Boy, its a tough call. Everything I thought I would do before I got cancer, changed when I got it. What is the tumor grade. If its a 1 or 2 I would consider not having chemo. If its a grade 3 I would definitely have the chemo. ER/PR status and HER2 status would affect my decision as well. I would be sure to go over all these things with my onc and maybe speak with more than one onc before making a decision. The Oncotype DX test is still relatively new, so I would want to make my decision after going over each of these factors with my doctor...Also, I would ask for the P450 test to be sure that I was a Tamoxifen metabolizer. Keep us posted. Whatever your decision it will be the right one for you.

Susan956

I would try to see if your Doctor can get you as many statistics as possible to study. Chemo is not easy.. and if you can pass the trip up it would be great... But only pass it up if it looks like it will not statistically alter the results for recurrence. These are tough decisions to be made. You may feel better talking with a second Onc to get another take on the recommendation. I always like to get more information if the answer seems to be optional to I can weigh the pros and cons.

Take Care..
Susan

bev72362

3cbrca said:

Boy, its a tough call. Everything I thought I would do before I got cancer, changed when I got it. What is the tumor grade. If its a 1 or 2 I would consider not having chemo. If its a grade 3 I would definitely have the chemo. ER/PR status and HER2 status would affect my decision as well. I would be sure to go over all these things with my onc and maybe speak with more than one onc before making a decision. The Oncotype DX test is still relatively new, so I would want to make my decision after going over each of these factors with my doctor...Also, I would ask for the P450 test to be sure that I was a Tamoxifen metabolizer. Keep us posted. Whatever your decision it will be the right one for you.

This is how it is worded on my path report-Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, Grade II, and the next line says Nuclear Grade III. ER/PR are positive, HER2 is negative.

toninasky

Lymphatic invasion means it could be somewhere else. I had 1 node positive, and Estrogen/ Progesterone positive. My tumor was 2.5 centimeters. I had the chemo , and radiation.
My thinking after research and discussion with surgeon and oncologist was this. The lump was removed, the edges were clear, but the posibility of a lurking cell that could explode into another cancer was not worth the risk of saying no to chemo and radiation. The chemo gets rid of whatever could be lurking elsewhere, and the radiation makes sure the breast is clean. The chemo was not so bad for me, nor was the radiation. You need to stay positive, but you have to be realistic. How long do you want to live was the question my oncologist put to me.
My answer was to do anything possible to prevent the spread of this disease. It has been 1 year and 4 months, and I am fine. God Bless, and good luck no matter what you decide. After all it is your body, and your life.

3cbrca

bev72362 said:

This is how it is worded on my path report-Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, Grade II, and the next line says Nuclear Grade III. ER/PR are positive, HER2 is negative.

The Grade 2 with a Nuclear Grade 3 might make me lean towards chemo along with the lymphpatic invasion. There is a great publication on the Y-Me site on How to Read Your Path Report - http://www.y-me.org/publications/generalpubs/read_pathology_report.pdf
I would get an oncologist to discuss what each of these means for you. If your oncologist doesn't explain them well, see another one. I think the most important thing is to be really comfortable with your decision and that means understanding the disease - even with that its still a tough decision. An oncologist who will spend the time to discuss each of these things is really important. I didn't have an option for chemo or RT -they were as aggessive as they could be. You get through it, though its not fun.

seof

It is a personal decision and each individual is unique, but....I agree that the chemo is more likely to take care of any unseen cancer lurking about. When I was diagnosed in May'07 they did a scan from neck to hips to see if there was anything suspicious they could see as a baseline. The tumor and lymph nodes were all that showed up, but we have done chemo andyway. Lymph nodes are appearing normal and the lump is gone, just a few suspicious shadows lurking in the breast, but we are continuing chemo just to be as sure as possible that any cells we can't see are gone. We will do mastectomy and radiation after the chemo treatments are done (6 months). I have been very fortunate to be in the minority of folks who have almost zero negative side effects from chemo (hairloss and fatigue are about it). I would say talk to your Doctors, do your own researc, and talk to your doctors, then talk to your doctors. If the doctor you have is not easy to talk to,or you don't get your questions answered, find another. You are the one who will be living with the results of your decisions. Be sure you are as confident as possible, then trust yourself.

The best of luck to you, seof

24242

Mine was a stage 3 diagnosis with 11 out of 21 positive nodes and a 4.5 cm tumor. I was 36 at the time of my diagnosis and was sure of only one thing. If I was going to do any kind of treatments I was going to do everything I could and gain every percentage I could through any coarse of treatment willing to give me. Back just 10 years ago I was given everything they had without killing me and though recovery was long and difficult I would probably do it the same if I had to do over.
How many nodes were positive, that is a clear indication of cancer spreading not tumor size because some tumors fully encase the cancer without allowing it to spread. Mine was a cancer with high rate of reoccurance as well as my being very young at the time. I did not fit any of the criteria the medical community had set out as well so I had to fight often for what I thought I needed to have the best chance at LIFE. Remember we are all individuals and our cancer should be treated as such.
Be good to yourself always,
Tara

Jessie02

24242 said:

Mine was a stage 3 diagnosis with 11 out of 21 positive nodes and a 4.5 cm tumor. I was 36 at the time of my diagnosis and was sure of only one thing. If I was going to do any kind of treatments I was going to do everything I could and gain every percentage I could through any coarse of treatment willing to give me. Back just 10 years ago I was given everything they had without killing me and though recovery was long and difficult I would probably do it the same if I had to do over.
How many nodes were positive, that is a clear indication of cancer spreading not tumor size because some tumors fully encase the cancer without allowing it to spread. Mine was a cancer with high rate of reoccurance as well as my being very young at the time. I did not fit any of the criteria the medical community had set out as well so I had to fight often for what I thought I needed to have the best chance at LIFE. Remember we are all individuals and our cancer should be treated as such.
Be good to yourself always,
Tara

Hi. I am a college student take a breast cancer course and have never really been informed about the dangers and procedures following breast cancer. After my aunt discovered she had breast cancer, her life changed drastically. She needed to have her breasts removed. After feeling that a part of her womanhood was removed, she underwent chemo, losing all of her hair, followed by radiation. Through the entire process, she was severely ill and I was afraid she wouldnt make it. For a year, she stayed inside her house, unable to live her everday life. Vomitting constantly and feeling weak, my aunt was convinced that these were her final days. I was told to hold it together before I saw her because she would look different, but once i saw her, I couldnt hold the tears back. She had no color or life to her anymore. Such a vibrant woman stripped of her confidence and personality. Its been two years since then and she is doing better than ever. Her hair has grown back and she has her vitality again. Your posts really interest me and make me want to learn more about living with breast cancer.