What type of treatment can I expect?

[medical1]

I recently underwent a L mastectomy at age 50 for invasive ductal CA.  The tumor size was 0.7cm, grade 1 with all 8 nodes negative.  The report came back that the hormone receptors were not where they had hoped.  I have an oncology consult in a week, but have read various opinions on this.  Does this mean chemo is needed, and would be the benefits outweigh the possible side effects?  My mother had a different type of Breast Ca and has been on Tamoxifen for 10 years with no recurrance.She was 60 when diagnosed.  Thanks

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear medical1,  Over the past decade there has been more information that more clearly defines the subpopulations of women with localized breast cancer, for whom adjuvant chemotherapy is indicated as a standard component of treatment. 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.  Chemotherapy has been shown to substantially improve the long-term, relapse free, and overall survival in both pre menopausal and post menopausal women up to age 70 years with node-positive and node-negative disease.   Investigation continues as to whether there are specific patient populations for whom it is reasonable to avoid the administration of chemotherapy.  Unfortunately, very limited information is available to answer this important question.  On the basis of available data, it is accepted practice to offer cytotoxic chemotherapy to most women with primary cancers larger than 1cm in diameter (both node-negative and node-positive).  As in your situation with node-negative cancer less than 1 cm the decision to consider chemotherapy is individualized, based characteristics of the tumor, menopausal status, age, and general health.  This information is from the National Institute of Health Consensus Statement on Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer compiled in December, 2000.