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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
The effect of chemotherapy on her2/neu cancer
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.
The effect of chemotherapy on her2/neu cancer
by Zooz, Jun 07, 2002 12:00AM
Hi,
I had a 1.5 tumor (infiltrating ductal carcinoma, er+/pr+, her2/neu+++, intermediate grade, Stage I (T1cN0Mx) removed via lumpectomy (I later had a mastectomy because of 'dirty' margins). My sentinel node was clean. My oncologist has recommended 4 treatments of A/C. I'm 37 and pre-menopausal.
Do her2/neu positive tumors respond well to chemotharapy? How do women with my profile fare when they refuse chemotherapy? Also, what are the long-term effects of A/C on my immune system, say, 20 years from now? Thanks so much for your answers.
I had a 1.5 tumor (infiltrating ductal carcinoma, er+/pr+, her2/neu+++, intermediate grade, Stage I (T1cN0Mx) removed via lumpectomy (I later had a mastectomy because of 'dirty' margins). My sentinel node was clean. My oncologist has recommended 4 treatments of A/C. I'm 37 and pre-menopausal.
Do her2/neu positive tumors respond well to chemotharapy? How do women with my profile fare when they refuse chemotherapy? Also, what are the long-term effects of A/C on my immune system, say, 20 years from now? Thanks so much for your answers.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jun 07, 2002 12:00AM
Dear zooz: Chemotherapy reduces the chance of recurrence by one third. To determine the exact benefit to you, you should discuss with your doctor your risk for recurrence. Her2/neu positive tumors do respond well to chemotherapy. In fact, there is evidence that adriamycin works better in her2/neu positive women. And, since her2/neu positive tumors tend to be more aggressive, chemotherapy would be strongly recommended. I cannot speak to how women with your profile would do if they refuse chemotherapy, I do not know any who have refused. It is impossible to predict how an individual will do, regardless. There is a very slight risk of developing a blood disorder (or leukemia). However, this and all side effects should be discussed with your doctor in terms of your specific risks versus benefits.
I am also going to get Taxol which supposedly increases survival rates by over 20% over just geting Adriamycin/Cytoxin alone, I believe. I am fignting to win over Cancer. You should too.