Stage 1,Invasive Breast Cancer , Estrogen and Progesterone Negative, HER2 Negative

Over the past month, I have had a lumpectomy to remove a 1.7 cm IBC tumor and a sentinel node biopsy which came back 'clean.'  At my visit to the oncologist today, it was recommended that I undergo chemotherapy followed by 6 weeks of radiation.He told me that because of the lack of hormone receptors, this was the best option for me.He also said that this is a fairly rare form of breast cancer.  I am 56 and otherwise healthy. Of course, I am in the initial shock stage of being diagnosed with cancer and am not sure that I want to undergo the rigor of chemo & radiation. The statistics that I have seen give someone with this diagnosis a slight advantage of survival &/or no recurrence, but I am not sure that the numbers really sell these treatments. I guess I am just looking for some input from others with a similar experience who might be able to shed some light on my decision as far as pursuing treatment. I am also wondering if there might be some more tests to check for the presence of this cancer in other areas, as all I have had is a mamogram (mammogram), sonogram & the 2 surgeries.

[PaulMD]

Hi there!

First of all, you belong to a subset of breast cancer patients called "triple negative" (negative ER, PR, and HER2). This subset of breast cancer has the tendency to be aggressive but is responsive to chemotherapy.

I agree with your oncologist that you receive chemotherapy as per the National Cancer Care Network guidelines.  Chemotherapy for your case can prolong your survival and increase the chance that you will be recurrence free, and prevent metastases (spreading).  Radiation is recommended for patients undergoing lumpectomy.

You can find more info about triple negatives from this site:
http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/index.html

Good day and my regards...

[cathytootse]

A related discussion, best chemo was started.