Treatment Options

I have just finished surgery for breast cancer and I am seeing an oncologist this week. I am 37, diagnosed with IDC, tumor size is 1.8cm, Er/Pr -, Her2/neu -, Grade 3 on Bloom-Richardson, there are no lymph nodes involved per a Sentinal Node Biospy. Any idea on what to expect chemo wise? I know that I will have to go through chemo, just wondering what type is recommended for my situation and how long? I had a lumpectomy and will be going through radiation also. Thanks!

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear mattsmom13, Adjuvant treatment is treatment given after surgery to try to prevent or minimize the growth of microscopic deposits of tumor cells that might grow into a recurrent tumor.  Adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to prolong the disease-free interval and survival and is recommended for most patients with tumors greater than 1 cm, regardless if the nodes are positive or negative, menopausal, or hormone receptor status.  The chemotherapy is usually a combination of drugs and the inclusion of an anthracycline such as doxorubicin (adriamycin) or epirubicin produces a small improvement in survival (AC adriamycin and cytoxan, is a common regimen) over nonanthracycline-containing regimens (such as CMF, cytoxan,methotrexate,5-FU).  The treatment lasts 4 to 6 months in most programs.  Decisions about which route to take in an individual takes into account not only specific staging and tumor characteristics, but also a persons overall health, and preferences, so when you have your discussion with your oncologist they will discuss with you the pros and cons and what would be their recommendation in your particular situation.