Do I have to have chemo?

[LynnH62]

I was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma on June 22, 2007. I had a lumpectomy on July 24th, with a Sentinel Node Biopsy. The margins were clear, the SNB was neg. for cancer, and there was no evidence of metastasis. I am grade 2, and stage 1. I was ER and PR positive (3+) The surgeon says she got all the cancer with the lumpectomy. My question is, can I get by with radiation only, or will the recommend chemo? Because I'm ER and PR positive, will I have to do the Hormone blocker pills?  I meet with my oncologist for the first time on Aug. 8th. I'm sure I'll get lots of information and answers then, but I'm just so confused, and kinda scared. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Lynn

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Lynn:  Decisions about chemotherapy are based on a variety of factors, including the size of the tumor, grade, lymph node status etc.  Your oncologist will be best able to make recommendations regarding chemotherapy based on your specific situation.  In the setting of a lumpectomy, radiation therapy is usually recommended.  Hormone therapy is often recommended when tumors are strongly hormone receptor positive.  There may be an additional modest benefit to chemotherapy depending on your age, the size of the cancer and other characteristics of the cancer.

[Twocapes]

Hi Lynn - I just answered your other question but since your breast cancer sounds so much like mine, I am answering this one too.  I took everything I could get that would increase my chances for survival/non-recurrence.  I had a course of A/C and 35 IMRT.  I could have had Taxol too but my oncologist thought it would be "overkill".  It wasn't fun but now that it's over and I have my hair back, I'm glad I took the course that I did.  Another thing that was recommended for me because I have terrible veins was to have a port inserted that way they could draw blood and give me my chemo without searching for a hard to find vein.  That had to be inserted and removed surgically (under anesthesia).  One of the worst parts of this whole ordeal is the decision making - it was like a roller coaster and once things got under way, I already started feeling better.  I tolerated the chemo quite well.  My doc gave me 1 mg Ativan which I still occasionally take more so for anxiety.
Hang in there.

[LynnH62]

TY both for your replies. I met with the radiation oncologist yesterday, and really liked him. I will go for simulation in two weeks, and then have first radiation treatment a week later. Meantime, I will meet with the medical oncologist to at least talk about chemo and hormone therapy. I'm almost sure I will not have chemo, but we'll see.
By the way, I'm age 62.

Thanks again for your comments,

Lynn