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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
tumor size
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
tumor size
by darm, Oct 05, 2001 12:00AM
I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER IN AUGUST. MY MAMOGRAM (mammogram) REVEALED AN AGGRESSIVE 3.5CM TUMOR. MY BONE SCAN WAS NEGATIVE, AS WERE MY LYMPHNODES. I HAD A MASECTOMY TO REMOVE MY LEFT BREAST, AND THEY ALSO REMOVED 12 LYMPHNODES. I AM CURRENTLY UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY (4 CYCLES) AND I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYONE OUT THERE WHO HAS HAD AS LARGE OF TUMOR AS MINE AND WHAT THEIR TREATMENTS WERE AND THEIR OUTCOMES.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Oct 08, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Darm, Here is some general information for you. Based on the information you’ve given regarding the size of the tumor, negative lymph nodes as well as, no metastasis (cancer spread) your breast cancer would be staged as stage IIA. The current consensus for treatment of stage IIA cancer, is treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy (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 or epirubicin produces a small improvement in survival over nonanthracycline-containing regimens. The treatment lasts 4 to 6 months in most programs.
Decisions regarding adjuvant hormone therapy are based on the presence of hormone receptor protein in the tumor tissue (estrogen-receptors). If the tumor is positive for estrogen-receptors adjuvant hormonal therapy is offered. Currently five years of tamoxifen is standard adjuvant hormone therapy.
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 or epirubicin produces a small improvement in survival over nonanthracycline-containing regimens. The treatment lasts 4 to 6 months in most programs.
Decisions regarding adjuvant hormone therapy are based on the presence of hormone receptor protein in the tumor tissue (estrogen-receptors). If the tumor is positive for estrogen-receptors adjuvant hormonal therapy is offered. Currently five years of tamoxifen is standard adjuvant hormone therapy.
Member Comments (2)
by Sharie, Oct 09, 2001 12:00AM
To: Breast cancer
I just had a mammagram done yesterday and I was told that I have a 4 and a half cm lump on my left breast.The nurse came back after the test and said "It does'nt look good" , and wanted to take more test.I also had a ultra sound done and another mammogram , which was very painful.I am 40 years old and did have a tumor removed from my right breast when I was young (around 16).I did see a doctor 19 months ago when the lump was 0.8cm , and the doctor told me its nothing to worry about.What do I do now . I know when the doctor recieves the mammagram she is going to give me bad knews and I don't know if I can handel it.Anyone else ever been in my shape.I am so mad at the doctor who checked me 19 months ago , and would not give me a mammagram or anything.. Sorry my mind is racing at a 1000 miles a hour...Sharie
