Chemotherapy?

Hi. I posted this is another forum but was signposted to you lovely ladies for some advice.

I was diagnosed with Breast cancer back in March. In May I had a bilateral mammoplasty, from which I’m healing nicely.
I had my results appt last week, after which they asked for an urgent CT to check for any spread. Luckily that was negative although they found a thickening of my liver, which I’m having an MRI tomorrow to investigate. I’ve also been told that I’ll have another op soon to remove all my lymph nodes.

Based on my results, what is the likelihood that I’ll need chemo;
Invasive ductal carcinoma - 70mm, 5.5mm and 2mm (Grade 3)
Extensive high grade DCIS
Extensive lumphovascular extension
ER 8/PR 6
HER2 intermediate and FISH not amplified
Node positive 1/2 with extracapsular spread

44 years old, premenopausal.
I’m just trying to prepare myself that I may need chemo after my node clearance.

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I’m no expert, but I think you can assume chemo is likely. You have a lot of information and having the lymph node involved plus the extracapsular spread makes me think yes. The best person to ask is your oncologist. Do you have an appointment to discuss next steps soon? I’m waiting to find out too but I’m pretty sure I will be having chemo. Xxx

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I think you’ll need chemo. I had a similar size of tumour but I also had lymph node involvement. For me I had a mastectomy with lymph node removal and now started chemo. See what the oncologist says? Will you be having surgery first?

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Thanks for your message. I’m thinking it would be but like to check.
I haven’t got an appt with my oncologist yet. I had an MRI today - got to wait 2/3 weeks for those results and then I’ll have a full node clearance before they’ll discuss my next steps…
Just seems like a never ending journey hey!
Wishing you all the best in your treatment too xx

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Yes it is never ending. I hope mri is clear. I didn’t get one so no idea if there’s any more spread. I’d have liked one though for reassurance. Good luck and stay positive xxx

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Hi @tracey80 I had dcis and 2 small (maybe 6mm) or grade 1 bc with 2/25 nodes involved. After discussions with the onc about everything after mastectomy and node removal, we went through my attitude to risk, chances etc… I’m now having chemo. It was v clear I was borderline for treatment… 51, half way through menopause but I went from ‘please don’t let me have to have chemotherapy’ to ‘I have to have it to kick this thing into my past’!!!

I don’t like it … I hate having to put myself through this but if I know 100% that I have to do this. I know I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night knowing I’d not given this everything. Classic short term pain for my long term gain - physically yes, but also psychologically… I need to know I can move past this. I have a 12 & 14 year old - I think of them if I ever think ‘why am I doing this horrible thing to myself, just in case’!!!

Chemo isn’t nice but people do it all over the world every day and come out the other side. I keep thinking that by Halloween, BonfireNight, Christmas, I’ll be smiling again… I am chatting to 2 amazing women via Someone like Me and I have other women around me who have been through this and are now living it!!! They keep me going too + this lovely forum. Whoever created BC now is a genuis!!!

Decide what’s right for you now but also think about how you’ll feel in a year. Giving up 2024 to see in 2054 (or further!) is a good option to have x

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Hi Tracey80

Thank you for your post.

It’s good to read that the results of the CT scan were negative. It’s understandable you want to know if it seems you may need chemotherapy following surgery to remove the lymph nodes.

Whether you need chemotherapy for primary breast cancer depends on many factors. You can read more about this here.

It may help to know that we hear from many people who like you want to try and prepare themselves for whether they will need chemotherapy. Waiting for further scans and the uncertainty around what treatment you may need can be difficult to cope with emotionally.

While you’re waiting for the results of your MRI, you can ask your breast care nurse/treatment team whether your final HER2 result is known. This may help to give you more information about your individual situation and whether a drug called trastuzumab (Herceptin), which is given in combination with chemotherapy, may be offered as part of your treatment plan.

However, as @bluesatsuma and @rosa1 have said, your treatment team will be able to discuss your individual treatment plan more fully once all your results are back.

Some people find talking with another younger woman who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer helpful. We offer support tailored specifically for younger women with primary breast cancer who are aged between 20-45 years. This includes our Younger Women Together events that are run face to face and online. This support offers the opportunity to meet and share experiences with other younger women and get expert information in a confidential space. More information can be found on the links above.

You may be interested in The Younger Breast Cancer Network (YBCN) which is a private Facebook group run by young women for young women (20- 45 years) who’ve had breast cancer. To join, go to Facebook and search ‘Younger Breast Cancer Network’ and send them a private message.

Our Someone Like Me service can also match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. They’ll contact you by phone call or email to answer your questions, offer support or simply listen. You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0345 077 1893 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org so they can then match you to your volunteer.

Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).

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Best wishes

Heidi

Breast Care Nurse

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