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Breast Cancer: Stage 3 & 4 Community
This patient support community is for discussions relating to breast cancer, biopsy, genetics, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, lumps, lumpectomy, lymph node dissection, lymphedema, mammograms, mastectomy, radiation therapy, reconstruction, self exams, and stage 3 and 4 treatments.
breast cancer treatment
by rajiv751, Mar 14, 2008 06:46AM
My mother is 79 years having breast cancer stage T2N0M0 and SMAC already performed i.e left breast already removed 13 days back.Biopsy report says stage 2 ductal carcinoma with no lymph involved but ER &PR are negative so hormone therapy not possible. Doctor suggests 6 round chemotherapy.Is it advisable to give chemo at this age. I am worried about the side affects of chemo at this age.Doctor has asked another test HER2 to be done.
Post Comment
I understand your concern. There are many issues surrounding treatment of breast cancer in the elderly. Elderly patients have other comorbid illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, renal and liver problems that can pose danger during treatment. Thus, the risks and benefits of treatment should always be discussed before treatment is initiated. In general, elderly patients with breast cancer should receive the same treatment as young patients. Consider also the expected lifespan of the patient in deciding treatment.
her biopsy report say IDC(NOA) stage 2 with no lymph nodes affected, tumour size 4.0cmx3.8cmx4.0cm ,grade 3.
we are very much worried about side effects of chemo as earlier all my four sisters died of cancer(two ovarian ,one breast,one multiple myloma)
Your mother has breast cancer stage 2, grade 3, and ER and PR negative.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, elderly patients should be managed in the same way as younger patients. Systemic adjuvant chemotherapy may be considered for elderly patients with an estimated life expectancy of 5 years or longer. Without giving adjuvant therapy, the risk of recurrence is high compared to giving adjuvant treatment.
Side effects of chemotherapy are manageable. Most of the time, supportive measures are given.
Your mother is Her2Neu negative. This can be considered as a good prognostic indicator. However, the result should also be correlated with the other prognostic factors available.
You may continue giving her supplements.
Good luck.
Hi,
Dennis ,Thanks for your reply
Please let me know other prognostic factors to corelate with.Secondly let me know when and what followup test / examination to be done at what intervals..
with regards
The other prognostic factors to consider aside from hormone receptor status and Her2Neu status are axillary lymph node involvement, tumor size, histologic grade, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and presence of proliferation indices (Ki67, MIB-1).
Patients are advised to regularly follow-up with their oncologist. Breast self-examination should be done monthly. Mammography can be done semiannually or annually. Other ancillary tests (chest x-ray, ultrasound of abdomen, bone scan, PET scan) can be done on the discretion of the oncologist.