Hi , I was diagnosed in September 2008 and with my very first biopsies I was told I have invasive ductal bc 4cm tumor and ER+…
I have finished my chemotherapy and surgery Lumpectomy and axillary clearance all negative nodes, starting radiotherapy 6th of April. After surgery my patology report says I am not ER positive since I have not been able to see my onc to ask questions. Is it possible that my bc was ER+ originily but having chemo for six months effected the test results. Any advice please I would be greatful, and is it true tnbc is more aggresive than others?
Thank you
Gul
Hi Gul,
I have put for you below the link to BCC’s publication ‘Understanding your Pathology report’ which you may find useful.
breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/91
Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi Gul, I am not sure but I dont think it can change from + to - .Are you taking tomoxifen or arimidex as these are given if you are ER+.Could the other one be the HER2 this to see if you need herceptin, if it is + you do and - you dont.
best wishes mell x
Hi Mell, thank you for your reply, When I was first diagnosed September my onc told me I am ER+ and after my chemo , surgery and radiotherapy I would need tomoxifen for 5 years. I have finished most of my treatments and had lumpectomy in February phatology reports came all negative, PR- , HER2- , er- so I am negative triple. Between september and February I had chemotherapy , I am now thinking if I was ER+ in september may chemo intefere with my test results. I really need to speak to my onc but he was away and now he is back and I cannot get any appointment earlier than 6th of April. How do I know if cancer is spreading other parts or reaccure?
Best wishes x
Gul
Hi Gul
You are understandably confused by these results and do need to discuss them with your oncologist.
Whilst waiting for an appointment, please do feel free to give our helpline a call. The staff on the helpline may be able to offer you information and support with understanding your results.
The number is on the top of the page, so do give them a call if you’d like to talk to someone.
Kind regards.
Louise
Facilitator
Hi,it is all a bit confusing isn’t it.do you have a breast care nurse, if you do then she could maybe help.If your nodes were clear then that is good, ER- PR- means the cancer is not driven by hormones so tamoxifen is of no use,and being HER2- is a good thing as it means you dont need to have herceptin.Triple negative cancer usualy responds very well to chemotherapy.I think you should ring the BCC helpline they understand more and will help you.
best wishes Mell x
Hi, thank you all for your support, yesterday at last I was able to see my onc but came home with no information really. He told me it is up to me , I need to decide if I want to take tamoxifen or not , he says it is hard to say , I am only 2/8 ER+ very low so I am more triple negative.
It is very confusing, when doctors not sure themselves which one would be more beneficial for me. Tamoxifen isn’t a drug has no side effects , I don’t want to take drugs if it is not helping.
Anyway, I have time to think and decide 4 weeks radiotherapy starting next week.
Best wishes , hope you are all well x
Gul