erpr-

My sister has been diagnosed with erpr- breast cancer...they say that it is stage 2.  Her tumor is 6cm.  They say that this is a rare & aggressive form of breast cancer.  They found out last week & the cancer has not gone to
any other parts of her body.  Chemo was started today & will continue for 5 months prior to surgery.  Please let me know what her chances are!  Is she going to die!  Thank you!

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Tessa8669, Hormone receptors are found on some breast cancers and not on others.  When hormone receptors are present this indicates that the tumor could be "fed" by estrogen hormones.  Therapies that block or interfere with estrogen production can be used to treat these cancers.  When the receptors are not present (er/pr negative) then this type of hormone therapy would not be used.  Chemotherapy is used to shrink the tumor.  Chemotherapy may be given before surgery to shrink the tumor and to treat any microscopic disease that may be in the system.  When given in this way (before surgery) you may see it referred to as "neoadjuvant" therapy.
The goals of treatment of Stage 2 breast cancer are to eliminate evidence of disease and hopefully put the disease into a permanent remission.  If your sister's cancer responds well to the treatments (chemotherapy/surgery etc.) then the hope is the cancer will be eliminated from her system and not return.