shrinking of lump

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1

Hi

I am having chemo to shrink my lump before surgery so they do not have to take so much breast tissue away. They said if i had surgery now it would be like having a mastecomy.

I started chemo on 11.1.08 and I was wondering how long before anyone noticed the lump starting to shrink. I know everyone is different but I would like to hear other peoples experiences.

Thanks

Chrissie x

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Hi Chrissie

I remember that I had a large lump in my armpit which started shrinking quite soon after my first lot of chemo and probably around 3rd or 4th lot of chemo it got as small as it was going to get so that I could hardly feel it. The lump in my breast softened up and in the end I wasn’t sure whether i could feel it or not. In the beginning it was noticeably hard and definitely there.

Rx

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Hi Chrissie

I had quite a big lump to start with, (6 cm) and I could notice the difference by the third week, eventually getting to 1/3 of its original size, event though now it seems to have stopped. What chemo are you having?

I did 12 weekly taxol + herceptin + tkerb, and have just started a round of FECx4.

Good Luck!!

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Hi Webmum

I am on 4 courses of Epirubicin & Cyclophosphamide every 3 wks and then 4 courses of Taxotere every 3 wks.

I think they said my lump is around 4 cm.

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Hi Chrissie,

I had a 5cm lump and was on EC to start… by 2nd treatment it had halved, by the 3rd one it had gone to the touch. After 4 lots (before I went onto paclitaxel) I had an ultra sound, and they couldn’t see anything. I have been told this was a very quick reaction, hope you have similar success! Good luck.
I am still having a mastectomy though, as I have been advised this is best, and I will take anything, however extreme, if it helps prevent a possible return of this cancer.

Shannon
x

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Hi Chrissie
I have had 4 taxols and 2 of 4 ec. My lump began to shrink after my first taxol. By the time I had 4 taxols the lump area was very squashy and now it is difficult to feel anything.
I am seeing the surgeon next week and hope to have a lumpetomy, please excuse spelling!
Wishing you the best of luck
Alison x