which chemo to choise / heart problem ?

[maryy84]

My mother : 66years old dg. with breast cancer -right breast ( Ca. ductale in. gr. 2 -sine metast.lymwh.axillae 0/19 ) was treated with surgery - right mastectomy and removal of the axillary nodes. And on the left breast with lumpectomy -LCIS ,classical type The tipe of the tumor of the right breast is pT 23 x 10 mm, positive estrogen and progesteron receptors, her-2 0 , adn Ki67 1% - T2NOMO.She was operated one moths ago and now we should choise the right therapy for her.
Now my mother has heart problems ( prolapsus valvulae mitralis 2+, Sves and ves aritmia - to cure that she is taking beta blokers of 2,5 mg twice a day ).I' ve been readeing a lot on the internet and it seems to me that FEC or AC protocols have better survaval  5 years statistic the the classical CMF protocol ( all this protocol are suitable for women at high risk right ? ) because of the antraciclines in them which seems to be cardiotoxic and my question is how cardiotoxic the antraciclines can be and could my mother be suitable for a chemothepy with antraclines as it leads to a better prognosis as far as i have understood ? I have fear that because of the heart problems she has she could be destined to recieve he CMF procol which whould give her a worse prognosis right ? Another question  should she do the radiotherapy as well  ?

Hoping for a soon answer

[japdip]

Your Mother should follow whatever treatment has been advised by her Oncologist. All the factors you mentioned are taken into consideration when the treatment plan is formulated and I see no reason for her not to do the Radiation if it was recommended. If you or your Mother is not comfortable with the Oncologist's recommendations then perhaps she should seek a second opinion.  Regards ...

[rindaaa]

There are other chemo's and in cases like your Mom's I would highly suggest a 2nd and even 3rd opinion.  I've went through the whole cancer nightmare...my biggest regret was NOT getting a 2nd opinion.  That is so important...and make sure you go out of network...do not go to the same place to a different doctor...that is of no help.  

With most all insurances you have a RIGHT to a 2nd opinion and any good doctor will NOT be insulted that would want to do this.  Most will suggest it.  Since your Mother has other medical issues to take into consideration I would highly recomend a 2nd opinion.  It will give you guys peace of mind too knowing you looked into all your options. All cancer centers and oncologist are not the same.  Wishing you and your Mother all the best.  Hang in there and continue being pro-active.  Your Mom is so blessed to have you by her side.  

Rinda

[maryy84]

Yes, tommorow we are getting a second opinion by another oncologist in another city as i'm a doctor too - general practictioner - i'be reading a lot on the internet and it seems to mee that the chemotherapy with antraciclines are far better then the classical CMF protocol but the main problem what i'm asking myself all the time is can my mother tolllerante the TAC of FEC chemo due to her heart problems...that is my main concern because i think it would gibe her more chanches statistically.
I'm gonna right her tommorrow what the other oncologist suggested.
Thank you all for your answers :)

[maryy84]

At the end my mother didn't wanted to wait for a second opinion and today get the 1 CMF as because of the heart problems she could had problems coping with an antraciclines...my question if there is any doctor on this forum or perhaps someone could tell me in terms of 5 or 10 survival how different is the statistics with CMF or AC protocol ?

[bluebutterfly2222]

I'm sorry that your mother is having to deal with breast cancer along with her other medical problems.

You may get a better response to the specific medical issues you are concerned about, as well as the statistics regarding the benefits of different chemo protocols, by posting in the Breast Cancer Expert Forum, rather than the Breast Cancer Community.

Best wishes...