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Kathleen808
Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

Hi

I am new to the breast cancer board but not to ACS Cancer Survivor Network.   My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2009.  For the 5.5 years he fought the disease the CSN board was so important and valuable to us.   My husband passed away in 2014.  My mom has been a rock for us this whole time.  She is truly a remarkable  woman.  She is 78 years old, walks 4 miles a day, sails and pretty much does everything and loves everyone.  

I am here to learn more and help her.  I am a bit confused as to why she is not getting chemo.  She was diagnosed stage 0 in 2010.  All clear this past July with mammagram and ulta sound.  About three weeks ago noticed a growth in her breast area.  It is very fast growing.  They are not recommending chemo but want to immediately start shots of anti estrogen  - Falsodex and also immune therapy  Ibrance.   Can anyone fill me in on this.  Also the other words she through out at my were vascular diasiolect, malignant lymph node, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma signet cell features.   

The oncologist called it stage 4.  She had a pet and brain scan and the only thing the pet picked up was lymph node in the chest area.  No organ or brain involvment.   Can you all fill me in on no chemo and going with the hormone therapy. 

Also, what questions need to be asked.  I know you are the experts.  Thank you very much.

Aloha,

Kathleen

Comments

  • misslisap
    misslisap Member Posts: 2
    #2
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    Hi Kathleen

    Hi Kathleen.  I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and my heart goes out to you and your mom.  

    There may be a number of reasons why chemo is not recommended for your mom.  First, sometimes age is a factor in the treatment plan.  At 78 y/o, I am sure your mom is a vibrant beautiful woman.  However, the risk of chemo toxicity at 78 y/o may outweigh the benefits of decreasing the recurrence rate in the next 5 years.  Secondly, and more importantly, hormone therapy may be more specific and sensitive to treating the cancer. The trend and medical community has been studying the "biology" of the cancer and not just the conventional pathology of the cancer.   The treatment plan is tailored more specifically by looking at how our genes responds to specific treatments.  This way, the cancer is sensitive and responsive to the treatment.  

    You had mentioned that the cancer is very fast growing and stage IV.  Given the recommendation for Faslodex and Ibrance, she is ER/PR positive and Her2 negative.  This is how I like to look at it....The cancer is feeding and growing off of our own estrogen.  If we cut off the "food supply" then the cancer slows down and hopefully shuts down.   By giving Faslodex and Ibrance, it essentially will cut off the "food supply" to the cancer directly by inhibiting estrogen production.  The hormone therapy will directly target the cancer NOW wheras the purpose of chemo is to target distant metastasis and will delay the most effective targeted treatment, the hormonal therapy.  The PET/CT didn't show distant metastasis which is great so attacking the cancer where it is most sensitive by hormone therapy sounds like the best plan. 

    I Hope this helps you.  Sorry to get so technically....I am a physician assistant going through chemo after bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction and sometimes find that we don't know what to ask the doctors because we simply don't know....so hopefully I can help with the medical aspects as well as the patient aspects.

    All the best to you and your mom.

    Lisa

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #3
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    Dear Kathleen

    Just in case you don't get back to Mags thread on the CRC board I'll repost...

    I am so sorry to hear about your mum. 

    My mum had a saying 'It never rains, but it pours'. 

    It seems too much to bear for some here. My prayers to you and your mum. 

    Sue - Trubrit

  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #4
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    misslisap said:

    Hi Kathleen

    Hi Kathleen.  I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and my heart goes out to you and your mom.  

    There may be a number of reasons why chemo is not recommended for your mom.  First, sometimes age is a factor in the treatment plan.  At 78 y/o, I am sure your mom is a vibrant beautiful woman.  However, the risk of chemo toxicity at 78 y/o may outweigh the benefits of decreasing the recurrence rate in the next 5 years.  Secondly, and more importantly, hormone therapy may be more specific and sensitive to treating the cancer. The trend and medical community has been studying the "biology" of the cancer and not just the conventional pathology of the cancer.   The treatment plan is tailored more specifically by looking at how our genes responds to specific treatments.  This way, the cancer is sensitive and responsive to the treatment.  

    You had mentioned that the cancer is very fast growing and stage IV.  Given the recommendation for Faslodex and Ibrance, she is ER/PR positive and Her2 negative.  This is how I like to look at it....The cancer is feeding and growing off of our own estrogen.  If we cut off the "food supply" then the cancer slows down and hopefully shuts down.   By giving Faslodex and Ibrance, it essentially will cut off the "food supply" to the cancer directly by inhibiting estrogen production.  The hormone therapy will directly target the cancer NOW wheras the purpose of chemo is to target distant metastasis and will delay the most effective targeted treatment, the hormonal therapy.  The PET/CT didn't show distant metastasis which is great so attacking the cancer where it is most sensitive by hormone therapy sounds like the best plan. 

    I Hope this helps you.  Sorry to get so technically....I am a physician assistant going through chemo after bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction and sometimes find that we don't know what to ask the doctors because we simply don't know....so hopefully I can help with the medical aspects as well as the patient aspects.

    All the best to you and your mom.

    Lisa

    Lisa

    Lisa,

    Thank you.  That is super helpful and just what I was looking for.   I appreciate you writing.

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #5
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    hugs

    hugs

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #6
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    Dear Kathleen

    I am so very sorry to hear about your Mom's diagnosis and popped over from the CRC board to let you know that my prayers are with you both.

    The treatment explanation from the person above was great and indicates the advances in the BC fight.  Praying that it works wonders for your Mom.

    I am sure the folks here will be helpful and encouraging, but don't hesitate to come back to CRC board friends for additional emotional support.  Once part of our family, always part of our family.

    Hugs and love,

    Marie who loves kitties

  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #7
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    Trubrit said:

    Dear Kathleen

    Just in case you don't get back to Mags thread on the CRC board I'll repost...

    I am so sorry to hear about your mum. 

    My mum had a saying 'It never rains, but it pours'. 

    It seems too much to bear for some here. My prayers to you and your mum. 

    Sue - Trubrit

    Thank you

    Thank you Sue.  Yes, this has been quite overwhelming with many tears.   I know that treatment is advancing and I'm staying hopeful.

     

    Aloha,

    Kathleen

  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #8
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    hugs

    hugs

    Thank you

    Thank you.

     

    Kathleen

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