Can Hormone Therapy be replaced by chemo?

[Marylou_II]

My BC surgeon says since my cervical cancer was in May/09 with chemo x50 + radiation x50 +3 brachytherapies that primary cancer is now gone because treatments were very aggressive. During treatments I was never sick or weak I did fine with a special diet, lots of fluids, sleep, Yoga and slight exercises as well as three hydration therapies p/week. I always had excellent health.
Once over my first cancer, my oncologist requested a bilateral breast MRI + bilateral mammogram+ clinical exam. Had them all, the MRI and clinical exam were clean but the right breast mammogram showed clustered lobular micro calcifications and a surgical biopsy recommended. Two days later I had the biopsy & 1/3 of my right breast was removed with a slight reconstruction. I got the results and the diagnosis was –INFILTRATING MAMMARY CARCINOMA HISTOLOGICAL GRADE 2 – LOBULAR TYPE TUMOR SIZE 12.0mm, FURTHER  STUDIES: E.R; PR; Cerb B2 & E- Cadherin, required. Two days later I had a mastectomy [10 days ago], the sentinel + 2 other lymph nodes dissected. My pathology report: E.R.: Intense Positive 90% Allred Craig [8]; PR + E Caherin + C-erB2 all three negative. Lymph nodes clean.

My breast surgeon says this second issue [BC] though primary, treatment with chemo and radiation would be too much for my health. He mentioned ARIMIDEX, TAMOXIFEN + similar ones, but have been researching these HT & side effects are terrible I will not take any of them no matter what. I don’t have any remaining side effects from the first treatments and my health is fine.

I have noticed that said Drugs are in chemo Web sites and are called “chemo medicines” I wonder are they oral chemo or similar? If my breast specialist and chemotherapist say I can have chemo + radiation without health risks will I still need the Hormone Therapy meds? I need your help + an answer in order to discuss the subject with my Oncology Team this coming Tuesday afternoon, please help me. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Marylou_ll,  Decisions about adjuvant treatment post surgery are based on several factors including size of tumor, status of lymph nodes, the appearance of the cancer under the microscope, the presence or absence of hormone receptors for estrogen and/or progesterone, HER2 status, the general health of the patient, as well as prior treatments for other cancers etc.  We can not make specific treatment recommendations for an individual in this forum. We can tell you that hormone (antiestrogen) treatments (such as tamoxifen/arimidex) are frequently given following surgery for ER and/or PR-positive breast cancer to reduce the risk of recurrence in the form of metastatic disease.  The use of hormone therapy works against cancer in a different way than “chemotherapy” medications do so it may be used both in settings when chemotherapy is used or not used.  Chemotherapy is a broad term and refers to many medications that are used in the treatment of cancer.  Chemotherapy may add an additional benefit that needs to be weighed against the potential side effects.  Your oncologist will be better able to discuss these options with you - discussing the risks and benefits in context of your individual situation.

[Marylou_II]

Thanks a lot for your prompt reply, I do understand you can not suggest treatments in the Internet, but reading between lines, I believe I got the answer I needed to talk to my Oncology Team tomorrow afternoon.

I am thankful for your reply.

Best regards and God bless you.