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Avatar universal

Chemo or not

I had early stage IDC.  I did a bilateral mastectomy with no nodes involved.  I was told from the beginning that I would most likely not need to do chemo.  However my ONCO test came back as a 24 right in the middle.  
My doctor says it is my choice but that he thinks I should do the chemo.  
Any suggestions?
14 Responses
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322973 tn?1239904438
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
The first chemo is usually difficult to tolerate.
Following chemotherapy, the first couple of days are more difficult for patients. After that the nausea and other symptoms settle down.
With a tumor of size 2.2 cm and close surgical margins, I would urge you to consider undergoing entire chemotherpay as planned. You may discuss with your oncologist the possibility of using drugs like apretitant which are very effective in controlling nausea and vomiting.
Later, radiation and hormonal therapy are also indicated.
Please feel free to ask follow up questions.
Good Luck!
Dr Saini
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have undergone one chemotherapy tx. of Taxotere and Cytoxan. I was very sick.. nausea, severe fatigue, headache, bone pain, light headed, constipation.  I am better now. I did change the anti-emetics to Zofran which helped. Now I am considering only following with radiation to chest wall and an aromatase inhibitor.  My tumor was 2.1cm, node neg. Her2/neu neg, ER pos. Oncotype score of 22. stage II invasive ductal with mastectomy.
No lymphatic invasion. Age, 55 post menopausal.   No family hx of breast cancer.
The margin was neg, however <1mm. that is why the raditation to chest wall only. Not the axilla. I am very concerned of long term toxicity of chemo.  I am otherwise in good health. no other medical issues. I am at a point of trying to decide if the benefit outweighs the risk.
any comment?
thank you so much
Kami88
Helpful - 1
322973 tn?1239904438
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
What was the size of the tumor?
If your tumor size was over 5 mm, then it is advisable to undergo chemotherapy.
You also seem to have a strong family history of cancer. I would lean towards advising chemotherapy.
With good supportive care, chemotherapy can now be given with fewer side effects.
All the best!
Helpful - 1
264233 tn?1216342315
A related discussion, first timer was started.
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A related discussion, trusting the pathology was started.
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A related discussion, Chemo or not was started.
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A related discussion, Tamoxifen for Flat Epithelial Atypia? was started.
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322973 tn?1239904438
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Salam,
I will need additional details like ER stauts, PR status, and histopathology report. I can then discuss treatment options with you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
salam,
I had a mastectomy done a month ago, a 2 cm HER2- with a postive fish test of score 6.4.All 17 nodes removed were found negative.my oncologis told me that i would need 4 chemo then a year of herceptin weekly,i cousulted another oncologist and said that chemo was an option since herceptin would be enough.Im confused.Im 46 years and have no history of any type of cancer and feel absolutely great as i did before my mastectomy.Can you please enlighten and tell me how many chances do I have of recurrence after all these therapies.Im a very active and healthy person so if i can opt not to have chemo, it wild be great.thank tou so much for the work you do.
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Avatar universal
The tumor size was appox 1 to 1.5cm.  
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Avatar universal
also my great getGrand mother had breast cancer and all other momen in my family have died of cancer.....
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ps my oncoscore was 24.
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Avatar universal
ER, PR positivte, her2 neg. nodes neg, nd my tumer was well diff.
Helpful - 0
322973 tn?1239904438
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
Please provide additional clinical details like family history, age, size of tumor, ER, PR, HER2, lymph nodes status, histopath report etc.
Best,
Dr Saini
Helpful - 0

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