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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Chemotherapy vs. Oophorectomy
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Chemotherapy vs. Oophorectomy
by Bookwoman, Feb 11, 2003 12:00AM
I am 45 and premenopausal. In August of 2002, I had a lumpectomy for infiltrating DCIS in my left breast. The tumor was .3 cm, ER+, PR+, Her2Neu1+ amplification ratio of 1.18. My follow-up treatment was tamoxifen and six weeks of radiation. In January of 2003, a follow-up mammogram found a second primary site in the right breast. I chose to have a double mastectomy followed by reconstruction. The DCIS tumor in the right breast measured 1.6. The sentinel node tests for both surgeries were negative (thankfully!) However, after the mastectomy surgery, I developed a blood clot in my right arm so my oncologist took me off tamoxifen. I am currently on coumaden. My oncologist works with a team of several other oncologists. They have presented some varying options as to what my future treatment should include. One feels that oophorectomy would be as effective as taking chemo. Others say 4 cycles of chemo (CA) is the way to go. Still another says I should do the chemo in addition to the oophorectomy. I know my prognosis is excellent; however, I would like another opinion as to which course you would recommend.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Feb 11, 2003 12:00AM
Dear bookwoman: There is controversy about the best way to approach small breast cancers. I'm assuming this was not DCIS but invasive cancer as chemo would not be a point of discussion in most cases of DCIS. There is no absolute right or wrong, here, just differences of opinion likely based on interpretation of the literature. If you want a second opinion, your best bet may be to seek out an oncologist specializing in breast cancer and schedule a formal second opinion so that this can be discussed in detail.
