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Cancer Free, why treatments
This discussion is related to DCIS & her2+.
I have been diagnosed with IDC stage 2 Jan 08. Surgeon did a lumpectomy and removed one lymph node. Results are: all cancer has been removed. Went to the oncologist and they are doing a OncoType DX on the tumor tissue. Question: if all cancer has been removed, should I still have radiation, chemo, or hormone blocker treatments? What would be the drawback of not having anything done? Thank you
I have been diagnosed with IDC stage 2 Jan 08. Surgeon did a lumpectomy and removed one lymph node. Results are: all cancer has been removed. Went to the oncologist and they are doing a OncoType DX on the tumor tissue. Question: if all cancer has been removed, should I still have radiation, chemo, or hormone blocker treatments? What would be the drawback of not having anything done? Thank you
Just read all your posts again and realized that you had ask me a question but I didn't respond .. sorry about that. You ask what I meant when I said I saw the Oncologist out of respect for my Primary Care Physicain (who is also a close friend). The Oncology was not recommended by my Surgeon after the Path. reports were in and since I had the Mod.radicalmastectomy and NO positve nodes I was comfortable with no further treatment. I couldn't refuse when my PCP said he would be more comfortable if I went for an initial consult. Treatment is ALWAYS the way to go after lumpectomy though. when I did see the Oncologist the only recommendation was Tamoxifen for 5 years which I decided NOT to take due to probable side effects. Had I opted for a lumpectomy, even with neg. nodes and clear margins I would definitely have taken whatever treatment was recommended.
Your results are exactly like mine. They started me on Arimidex and I started radiation just over a week ago. Everything seems to be going along good right now. I was told I have 30 tx's of radiation. Seems like a lot when all I had was a small nodule and clear lymph nodes. I guess I will just have to see how it goes. Dee
Mine was 1cm. Today the results of the Oncotype DX was 8 and the doctor gave me Arimidex (anastrozole) 1mg tablets and I am scheduled to see the radiologist next week. I think with all the side effects of the medicine, it sure is scary, but I will try it. If it gets me sick or if I am unable to take it, then I won't take anything. I also want to see what the radiologist suggests as far as how many tx's I will need to take. I guess time will tell.
How big was the stage 2 IDC that was removed? And you say that the lumpectomy resulted in clear surgical margins with no sign of any cancer remaining?
They will offer these other treatments, radiation, chemo or hormone blocker treatments because it is the "standard of protocol." In case any cancer cells might have been left behind.
What is the drawback of doing nothing? Well, according to all of the studies there is some slightly higher chance the cancer might recur. What that higher chance is depends on which study you read. It varies widely. But most of the studies that I've read say that whether you do the ancillary treatments, or not, there is no effect on life expectancy.
And so what would happen if the cancer recurs is another surgical solution - cut it out again.
That's what I elected to do with my Stage 1, 2cm IDC that was excised with clean margins in August 2002. The potential side effects of these ancillary treatments, for me, far far out-weighed any possible benefit that it would give me. So, I said I didn't want them.
I'm just continuing with regular screenings in that small chance that the cleanly excised cancer might recur. And like I said, if it does, I'll get it cut out, again.
They will offer these other treatments, radiation, chemo or hormone blocker treatments because it is the "standard of protocol." In case any cancer cells might have been left behind.
What is the drawback of doing nothing? Well, according to all of the studies there is some slightly higher chance the cancer might recur. What that higher chance is depends on which study you read. It varies widely. But most of the studies that I've read say that whether you do the ancillary treatments, or not, there is no effect on life expectancy.
And so what would happen if the cancer recurs is another surgical solution - cut it out again.
That's what I elected to do with my Stage 1, 2cm IDC that was excised with clean margins in August 2002. The potential side effects of these ancillary treatments, for me, far far out-weighed any possible benefit that it would give me. So, I said I didn't want them.
I'm just continuing with regular screenings in that small chance that the cleanly excised cancer might recur. And like I said, if it does, I'll get it cut out, again.
what do you mean by saying..." I only went because I have such respect for him and not necessarily for myself. " ,....I dont get it!
I am Confused! Sunes.
I am Confused! Sunes.
This decision would be entirely up to you. I would certainly follow thru with the what you mentioned but in the end it's still YOUR decision. I personally did not have any treatment following my surgery (mastectomy & removal of 12 lymph nodes) but some was recommended or I should say suggested. My surgeon didn't refer me to an Oncologist BUT my Primary Care Physician insisted on it. I must admit I only went because I have such respect for him and not necessarily for myself. Don't hesistate to get second opinions if you're not 100% satisfied.
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