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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Adjuvant therapy
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.
Adjuvant therapy
by bgowing913, Nov 28, 2003 12:00AM
I am 47 yrs. old and pre-menopausal. I had a mastectomy to remove a 1.2cm breast tumor, Grade II, ER 96%, PR 98%, HER2/neu 0, no lymph node involvment but vascular invasion. Could I be a candidate for hormone therapy (or ovarian ablation) alone or does the size of the tumor automatically indicate chemo? I had to have a mastectomey due to prior history of chest radiation to treat Hodgkin's Disease.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Dec 01, 2003 12:00AM
Dear bgowing913: Most physicians would recommend chemotherapy for tumors over 1.0cm. Of course, you should discuss risks and benefits, as they apply to you, with your doctor to determine that this is the best course of action. Either way, tamoxifen or ovarian ablation would be recommended.
Member Comments (2)
by ritavv, Nov 29, 2003 12:00AM
While it's true the standard is to have chemo if your tumor is greater than 1cm, not all oncologist follow that religiously. In my case, my tumor was bigger than 1cm, 98%ER+ and PR+ and I opted for chemical ovarian ablation and Tamoxifen because mine was very slow growing. However, I would think that the vascular invasion would tip the scales toward chemo. If it's reached your blood stream, then it could go other places in the body. That is what the chemo is for. I know I would have done chemo in that case.
