Is chemo therapy necessary for T2 tumor with stage 2 ie node -ve; ER/PR status is +ve and her2/neu is -ve.
August 31, 2009 - 5:25am
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Hi, My mom was diagnosed for breast cancer at left breast (Infiltrating Duct Carcinoma) and the biopsy report says, Grade II and Dr. said the stage is II. Its been just 2 weeks, that she had undergone mastectomy of her left breast.
Biopsy Report is:
Tumor size is 2.5 X 3 X 4 cm
10 Lymphnodes were removed and all 10 Nodes are negative for malignancy
ER / PR is Positive and HER2/neu is negative.
Dr. suggested for 4 cylcles of chemo in 3months. ie. once in 21 days. and after that tamoxifen for another 2years.
My doubt is: Is it really necessary for her to undergo chemo.?
Pleaes give ur suggestions. Thanks
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Hi, dhamikd, and thank you for your question!
Did the doctor at any point say that the chemotherapy was precautionary? Meaning that while they believe they got all of the cancer, this chemo would help them be certain? What reasons were you given for your mother needing the chemo?
Here's a very similar post written by another EmpowHer moderator to a woman in a similar situation whose doctor is suggesting precautionary chemotherapy:
http://www.empowher.com/community/ask/my-cancer-was-conatined-my-breast-...
Do you know what drug or combination of drugs your mother's doctor is recommending for her chemo?
Hi, Im sorry, I don't know the list of drugs they are gonna use for her. But he told that my moms case very early stage. since its mastectomy, and node -ve, (her 10 lymphnodes are removed) and ER / pr is positive, he told c can take tamoxifien; but before that 4 cycles of chemo is necessary since the tumor is T2. he didnt say its a kind of precautionary. Also Dr. mentioned that node is -ve, so there is no chance of spreading in the body. I'm not understanding that, why my mom needs chemo in this case. ? Waiting for your kind reply.
Dhamikd, I would like to run your question by one of the experts on our panel of doctors. Can you hang in there with me a few days while we wait for a response?
For women with tumors that are relatively large (T2) , even when node negative, there are situations in which chemotherapy is recommended. given the favorable prognostic factors for hormone receptors and HER2neu, ask your oncologist whether he/she would find OncoptyeDX helpful in determining risk of recurrence for your specific breast cancer cells. this is an oncogene analysis. Lillie Shockney
Sure Diane P. I would like to wait for your response. Only thing that im concerned is, once chemo therapy is given, she has to undergo the side effects for long time. But if chemo is required and its mandatory for her, then we don't have any issues to give it. she is only 40kg and very lean figure and in the age of 49. So, im not sure how the Dr. is gonna give chemo dosage. I'm bit scared about the side effects. Hope you can understand our problem.