BREAST CANCER COMMUNITY
Seeking Advice

Seeking Advice

I am 41 years old and was diagnosed with breast cancer in early June.  I am ER-, PR-, and HER2/neu- (triple negative).  My tumor is classified as Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC), starting as DCIS.  The tumor is a Grade 3.  I had a lumpectomy on 6/19 and 5 lymph nodes were biopsied.  The tumor was 1.3 cm and pathology indicates the margins are clear.  One of the 5 lymph nodes came back with isolated tumor cells (.081 mm).  The other 4 were negative.  My cancer has been classified as Stage 1.  Although the docs are telling me that the one lymph node with isolated tumor cells is considered "negative" and the node doesn't need to be removed, they have given me 2 chemotherapy options.  Option 1 - TC (Taxotere/Cytoxan), 4 treatments once every 3 weeks.  Option 1 is considered standard care for lymph node negative patients.  Option 2 - Dosedense (AC + Taxol), 8 treatments once every 2 weeks.  Option 2 is the protocol for lymph node positive patients.  The docs don't seem to think I need to opt for Option 2, but tell me it's my decision.  They have also told me that the chance of recurrence with Option 1 is 12% and with Option 2, it's 10%.  I'm confused.  Part of me feels I should be as aggressive as possible in tackling the cancer and go with Option 2, but then given the small difference in recurrence %, I don't know that I should put my body through Option 2 and its associated side effects and risks.  Radiation treatments will follow chemotherapy, and next week I will have the Brach 1 and 2 genetic testing to determine my predisposition for developing other cancers.  If positive, I may consider a double masectomy and have my ovaries removed.  Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Related Discussions
1 Comment
Blank
25201_tn?1255584436
About the only advice (or suggestion) I can think of is: How about a second opinion from another Oncologist ?? You will always end up with "it's your decision" though. If you trust your present Oncology group then follow their recommendation but if not then get that 2nd opinion.
Blank
Continue discussion Blank
Go
Blank
Weight Tracker
Reach your weight goal faster
Start Tracking Now
MedHelp Health Answers
Submit
Top Breast Cancer Answerers
587083_tn?1327123862
Blank
zouzi
25201_tn?1255584436
Blank
japdip
962875_tn?1314213636
Blank
bluebutterfly2222
WV
Avatar_f_tn
Blank
ncmichigan
Willis, MI
739091_tn?1300669627
Blank
SueYoung55
State of Confusion
1790532_tn?1329317106
Blank
rondee57
Sardis
RSS Expert Activity
1741471_tn?1336957856
Blank
LIVE WEBINAR TOMORROW!-SUPER BODY, ... Blank
May 22 by Michael Gonzalez-WallaceBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Fibromyalgia Awareness
May 11 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank
2126606_tn?1335910182
Blank
Opioid-induced hyperalgesia reduces...
May 03 by Clare Waismann Kavin, RASBlank