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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Estrogen negative
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.
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Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Jun 14, 2002 12:00AM
Dear Cooky, The estrogen receptor status gives gives indications as to whether the tumor had receptors that made it sensitive to estrogen in the body to encourage it to grow. If the receptors are positive then hormone therapy to decrease estrogen in the body is an option to treat the cancer. If the receptors are negative this just indicates hormone therapy may not be effective so cancer is treated using other methods such as chemotherapy. There are chemotherapy drugs available to treat estrogen negative breast cancer.
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My mom-in-law (73 years) underwent mastectomy a month & half back. Her ER/PR tests were negative. Chemotherapy (epirubrin + cyclophosphamide) was adviced. A second opinion is to forego chemotherapy (due to her age) altogether and go for tamoxifen treatment for the required duration. We're still debating and discussing the options. To help us make an informed decision we'd like inputs from all with respect to (a) relative merits / demerits (in terms of efficacy, short/long term side-effects etc) of the two treatment regimens suggested, (b) quality of life with the two treatments and (c) her longevity.
We may have to decide fast one way or the other. I, therefore, request an early response. Would be much obliged.