Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Asking for opinions
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.
Asking for opinions
by Lindugas, Dec 25, 2003 12:00AM
Hi and Happy Holidays to all.
I am 2 1/2 weeks post-op from left breast Mastectomy. I had previously had lumpectomy "7" years ago in the same breast with postive hormone receptors, 18 clear lymph nodes and 2.5 cm size tumor, ductal carcinoma.
I had radiation and chemo last time and tolerated all well. I chose not to take Tamoxifen.
This time I had a 1.4 cm tumor (no lymph nodes left to dissect) Pathology showed clear margins, but DCIS around the tumor site (?) This time my hormone receptors are both E&P negative.
My Oncologist suggests 4 Cytoxon & Adriamycin (sp) and 4 Taxol chemo treatments. I have been told that the basis for this treatment plan is my negative hormone receptors this time. She
keeps waving though..strongly suggesting I take both forms of
chemo and yet says we will see if we need to do the Taxol? I am
confused to say the least. My doctor has also advised me pre-op and postop that it would depend on my pathology which I thought
was pretty good from what the surgeon said (with the clear margins. Any input? Also the Adriamycin info I got scares me as does the Taxol info. Any feedback on that issue? Thanks so much for any feedback.
I am 2 1/2 weeks post-op from left breast Mastectomy. I had previously had lumpectomy "7" years ago in the same breast with postive hormone receptors, 18 clear lymph nodes and 2.5 cm size tumor, ductal carcinoma.
I had radiation and chemo last time and tolerated all well. I chose not to take Tamoxifen.
This time I had a 1.4 cm tumor (no lymph nodes left to dissect) Pathology showed clear margins, but DCIS around the tumor site (?) This time my hormone receptors are both E&P negative.
My Oncologist suggests 4 Cytoxon & Adriamycin (sp) and 4 Taxol chemo treatments. I have been told that the basis for this treatment plan is my negative hormone receptors this time. She
keeps waving though..strongly suggesting I take both forms of
chemo and yet says we will see if we need to do the Taxol? I am
confused to say the least. My doctor has also advised me pre-op and postop that it would depend on my pathology which I thought
was pretty good from what the surgeon said (with the clear margins. Any input? Also the Adriamycin info I got scares me as does the Taxol info. Any feedback on that issue? Thanks so much for any feedback.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Dec 29, 2003 12:00AM
Dear Lindugas: The decision to pursue chemo is likely based upon the size of the tumor. Research shows that there is some benefit to doing chemo in any tumor over 1.0cm. Unless the pathology was all DCIS, it is unlikely that it would influence the decision to do chemo. Adriamycin, Cytoxan and Taxol is becoming today's standard of care, although most of the research adding taxol was done on "high-risk" (node-positive) breast cancer. So this may be an aggressive approach to your problem. Hormone therapy is not an option this time, given the negative receptors. You mention that you took chemo the last time around and tolerated it well. I'm not sure what drugs you took but most women tolerate AC+T fairly well. You can learn more about the drugs on www.chemocare.com
I have been read many posts and the general concensus appears to
be to have chemo for any tumor over 1 cm. I am just really scared
about the chemo drugs and the fact that there could be more severe side effects with these newer drugs.
I guess what I am looking for is some feedback from others that have had the same types of chemo and how they made out. I know I have to have chemo and I am more afraid this time than the first time. My Oncologist wavering about the certainty about whether she will need to give me the taxol is also a bit unnerving...why would she suggest it so strongly and then keep saying we will see if we need to do that? Anyways, any input from others going through or having already gone through the same chemo treatment
would be most helpful. thank you all.
Best of luck!!
beth
Thank you for your comments I really appreciate that you were able to share your experience with me.
I know the Oncology office (dr. and nurses) are just trying to prepare me for this chemo but was really scared about the adverse reactions noted on the printed info on the meds for this course of chemo.
I know I will lose my hair and have a wig from last time and will
be looking for turbans too. I have to work, so was very worried
about being sick and losing a lot of time from work too.
I know that in the grand scheme of things its more important to look at the end result of having chemo to prevent any microscopic spread of cancer cells, than to worry about the finances and all that. I am a worrier by nature though so anything that can cause me any worry, bingo..I worry. Thanks again for your input. :) Hope all is well for you.