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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Infiltrating DC Breast Cancer, watching spots for speading - when is chemo needed?
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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.
Infiltrating DC Breast Cancer, watching spots for speading - when is chemo needed?
by Amy1973, Mar 08, 2007 12:00AM
This summer they found 2 (small) infiltrating grade 1 (of 3) ductal carcinoma tubular masses. I had a double mastectomy - I am 32 years old. A cousin with the same cancer at 34. No cancer in the sential node. Since it was stage 1, no spread, and having a double mastectomy the oncologist said I would only have a 6 percent chance of the cancer to return I do not need chemo. I have slight progestin in the masses but he didn't want to give me drugs for this.
I have then found several spots in liver and one spot in lung. We are watching them. Had a PET scan that found a hot spot in middle of chest lymph node, not hot on the spots in liver and lung. Tested spots in lung for infections (bacterial and fungal) but all were negative. I will have a CT in 6 weeks to look for changes in both areas.
With all of this - should I push for Chemo just in case or just watch and wait for growth or changes in the spots that I found like they are suggesting? My oncologist said he didn’t want to put me through chemo he’d rather just watch. I just want to be aggressive.
Thank you.
I have then found several spots in liver and one spot in lung. We are watching them. Had a PET scan that found a hot spot in middle of chest lymph node, not hot on the spots in liver and lung. Tested spots in lung for infections (bacterial and fungal) but all were negative. I will have a CT in 6 weeks to look for changes in both areas.
With all of this - should I push for Chemo just in case or just watch and wait for growth or changes in the spots that I found like they are suggesting? My oncologist said he didn’t want to put me through chemo he’d rather just watch. I just want to be aggressive.
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Mar 08, 2007 12:00AM
, Mar 08, 2007 12:00AM
Dear Amy1973: The only time that chemotherapy is given in the absence of cancer is in the adjuvant (after the surgery) setting when it is used to kill any potentially microscopic cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. Of course, even when chemotherapy is used for this purpose, there are often estimates of how much benefit a person is likely to get based on the individual situation. In addition, there is no guarantee that if adjuvant therapy is given that it will actually prevent a recurrence. If adjuvant therapy is not given very soon after the initial surgery, then chemotherapy is generally not recommended unless there is recurrence of the cancer. In other words, the chemotherapy would be directed at shrinking disease that is visible on a scan or other test. In a case where it is unclear if there is a recurrence, it is not uncommon to follow with frequent scans to monitor for changes. Giving chemotherapy without known cancer may subject a person to toxicities without any benefit. You may benefit from discussing your concerns further with your doctor.
Member Comments (1)
by uhaul, Sep 07, 2008 06:11PM
A related discussion, liver spot was started.
