what to choose ?

[cbat110]

I had small 0.7 carcinoma in my left breast removed 3 weeks ago it was  3 negative, lymph nodes are clean also cells around were clean should I have chemotherapy

[bluebutterfly2222]

I am so pleased that something in my words was helpful to you!

I am providing a link to a previous thread discussing you type of breast cancer, which may also be helpful in your descision-making process:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/papillary-carcinoma-of-breast/show/980028

bb

[cbat110]

thank you so much for the first time since my surgery if feel like I could think about what i want, crazy but before I wanted the doctors to tell me what should be protocol even though they said it was to gray of an area, for my bc

[bluebutterfly2222]

Thank you for adding the additional information.

Since you had a relatively small tumor, clear margins, no lymph node involement, and are going to have radiation,  a case could be made for not undergoing chemo.

Since you have TNBC (which currently has no targeted treatment as is the case for hormone-receptor positive and HER2+ cancers), and a moderately-to- highly aggressive grade of cancer, there is also a case to be made for having chemo. (Some  researchers, such as those  at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., believe even tiny, node-negative, aggressive types of breast cancer should be treated with chemo.)

As your doctors have suggested, yours is one of those cases where it is truly up to you which way to go regarding chemo. It may come down to your philosophy of life--whether you are risk-tolerant  or extremely risk-adverse.(I guess if you are somewhere in the middle, you may have to flip a coin...)

I wish you all the best, whatever you decide. Please update us, by adding additional posts to this same thread, regarding how things are going for you--we care!

Warm regards,
bluebutterfly
,

[cbat110]

my chemotherapy would be Cytoxan and taxotere  everyone has been so great but this seems to be so hard to chose like you I want to hit it hard and get on with my life.

[cbat110]

Invasive ductal carcinoma, papillary Nottingham grade II/III , oncologist said it was my call , most sure for  radiation.  The doctors do agree its up to me as it increase my changes from 88% to 94%  I just don't know if Chemotherapy side effects is worth that.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

Some additonal information should be considered in making that decision:

What was the grade of your tumor? (More aggressive cancers calll for more aggressive treatment.)

Have you had a consultation with an oncologist? If so, what was his/her recommendation?

Are you planning to have radiation treatments?

These are factors should be taken into account by a person's treatment team when they are advising you about a treatment plan..If your doctors don't agree, then a 2nd opinion consultation may be helpful.

Best wishes,
bluebutterfly

[Cheerpul]

I had a .5 carcinoma that was ER/PR+, her2+.  Because of the her2 +, I chose to have chemo because her2 + gave me a 30% chance of cancer returning without chemo.  I also had two mastectomies, so no radiation.  My nodes were clean.  After TCH including a year of Herceptin, I have less than 10% chance of recurrence.  I also took Tamoxifen for 2.5 years and am now on Femara.  I have neuropathy in my feet and developed lymph edema after a car accident but am otherwise doing great.  My philosophy was to hit the cancer hard and knock it out, even though chemo was not easy.  I did all I could so now I do check ups but mostly just live everyday to the fullest.  My prayers and thoughts are with you.