Follow up

I have recently finished chemical therapy and soon will begin radiation therapy. My questions are:

1.  Is there a specific follow up program for people with      stage 3A cancer who are her2 neu positive and estrogen receptor negative?

2. If you are estrogen receptor negative, does that mean your body is unable to utilize other hormonal drugs such as Famara, Letrozole?

3.  What is Arimedex?

4. Should a post chemo person see a nutritionist for a good post chemical diet?

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Finished, There is not a set follow-up schedule, however usual follow-up examinations would be more frequent at first perhaps monthly to make sure you are recovering from side effects of the chemotherapy and radiation therapy.  Then it will be extended every 6 months for awhile then annual.  These exams usually include blood work for awhile to make sure of recovery from side effects of treatment, mammograms as appropriate, physical examination by the physician.  Other testing is usually done only if a concerning symptom is discovered.

If the tumor is found to be estrogen receptor negative, adjuvant hormonal treatment is not part of the standard of care.  If the cancer comes back these treatments are not totally ruled out, but other treatments (chemotherapy) would probably be used rather than hormonal treatments.

Arimedex is an aromatase inhihibitor, which means it acts on the enzyme aromatase which is involved in estrogen production.  By stopping this enzyme it slows down or stops further estrogen production in the body.  It is approved as a treatment for advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

There is not a specific post chemotherapy diet, however, some patients have particular nutrition concerns, for example weight gain or loss during treatment, in which evaluation by a registered dietician would be very helpful.