adjuvant treatment

[Hope72]

I had a mastectomy roughly six weeks ago.   I didn't have my first appointment concerning adjuvant treatment until two weeks ago.  I took a week's vacation immediately afterwards.  The oncologist advised me to get back with him regarding what treatment I'd decided on within a couple of weeks.  The choices were either horomone inhibitors and chemotherapy or both.  My status is ER positive. I'm classified as Stage 11 or 11A.  The largest tumor was l.5 milligrams, grade 3.  Out of 11 lymph nodes, one turned out to be cancerous.  I'm 72 years old and considered in excellent health.  While on vacation I decided I'd get a second opinion as my rapport with the oncologist wasn't that great, plus his diagnosis was based entirely on a computer program, one of those where you take X number of women with the same diagnosis and make graphs of the type of treatment they received and then come up with odds for ten year survival.  The problem is it's taking a few days (hopefully, that's all) to get my records to the new oncologist, and I was told it might take another month to five weeks to get in for a consultation.  My question is:  Are there any guidelines as to how soon after a mastectomy someone with my particular status should start adjuvant treatment.  Thank you.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Hope72, Treatment given after breast cancer surgery (adjuvant therapy), is given to prevent or minimize the growth of microscopic deposits of tumor cells that might grow into a recurrent tumor.  Adjuvant therapy usually begins within 6 to 12 weeks after surgery.  This timeframe is based on the results of clinical trials in which the therapy was started within that time period. We are not sure of the effectiveness of adjuvant therapy in reducing the chance of recurrence when treatment is started at a later time.  You may want to work with the consulting oncologist office as to whether they can get you in to be seen sooner for the second opinion, so you can make your decision.

[Happy4825]

My report was early stage Breast Cancer. I started Hormone treatment soon after my Mastectomy.  This is important to do. Waiting too long is not a good idea.  You could start taking treatment, to keep the cancer from coming back.  Then decide the Oncologist you want to use.  Wishing you the best.

[kelbrok]

I just had a sonogram done that stated it demonstrated a 4 x 5 mm hypoechoic lesion. It stated that it did not appear to be completely anechoic and therefore does not meet the criteria for a simple cyst and that this could be a complicated cyst or a small solid nodule. HELP what does this all mean????

[boninclyde]

I am almost certain you can start hormone treatment while doing chemo or radiation. Ask your doctor. This will protect you while you make treatment decisions. It is good to get the second opinion. Also there is a test now called the Oncotype test. It also guides your oncologist as to what treatment you should have and will tell you the posibility the cancer returning. I wish you well.

[cay163]

A related discussion, Is hormone adjuvant treatment necessary? was started.