do I need chemo or is there an alternative

I had a lumpectmy of a 1.8cm stage 1 grade 3 tumor er/pr positive.The lymph nodes were clear but the vascular invasion was quiestionable.

[BJSaws]

Your medical oncologist is the only one who can evaluate your particular case and recommend the best treatment options for you.  That said, after my mastectomy in 2003 for a 1.1 cm tumor with no lymph node involvement, my oncologist recommended chemotherapy.  She said that she felt any tumor 1 cm or larger should be treated with chemo.  That was more than five years ago and I know that treatment plans have changed considerably since then.  Good luck on your journey to health.

[Nancy277]

I had a 1.9, stage 1, grade 3, nodes were clear. I chose to have 4 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxan as that is what the Mayo Clinic recommends. Also it does not harm your heart like other forms of chemo.

[japdip]

I'm in agreement with the others ... this is a question for your Oncologist who has all the information concerning your particular case. If Chemo has been recommended then it would be foolish to even consider an alternative.   Regards ....

[frustratedrg]

I had a 1.3 invasive lobular tumor in 2001.  I had 8 rounds of CMF and radiation. CMF is not a difficult chemo to endure and I came through it with no problem. I did not have any major side effects and did not lose my hair either.