tubular cancer recurrence rate

[luisagomes]

I had a lumpectomy ( 5, 5 cm of benign tissue with microcalcifications and near it 12mm of tubular carcinoma, estrogen positive). I would like to know if there are any studies available of the recurrence rate of grade 1 tubular carcinomas, since I have to take tamoxifen and i was kind of trying to avoid it. I´m having six weeks of radiation therapy. If the recurrence rate is low, why taka a drug that has such side effects?

[donnabielski]

Thank you for your post. I am in the same position and would love to hear the answer. Donna

[luisagomes]

The thing is that i have cancer risk and also stroke risk on my mother´s side of the family. So, they prescribed aromataze as estrogen inhibitor, but this does not lower the risk of trombosis or osteoporosis (I already have osteopenia). I am just trying to weigh the cost-benefit of the treatment, since psychologically i really hate taking drugs of any kind...If i knew for sure that my risk does not increase significantly if i don´t take 5 years of this drug, i wouldn´t take it. I know some people who did not take anything and are fine...But who can garantee such a thing, right?

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Tubular carcinomas are indeed a good variant of invasive ductal cancers.  This carries a better prognosis and lower recurrence rate.  The grade I characteristic makes the disease more favorable since this means that the tumor cells has low dividing activity.  However, I believe that your doctors are trying to maximize the benefits that you can receive that's why they put you on tamoxifen.  This would make the chances of recurrence even lower.

I would just like to reiterate that you should be following up constantly with your doctors once on tamoxifen and report to them any symptoms that you might experience (hot flushes, swelling feet, etc.)

Regards.