grade 3 lumpectomy, size 21mm. no her 2 result but is chemo now an option?

[dragonbunny]

Thank you JCJ. Very helpful. It iseems different approaches are taken in different areas and in my case within the same team. I am erring towards the same decision tomorrow. Hope the oncologists doesn't put the frightners on...
I need to go with a decision I can stick with going forward. Thanks for giving me an insight into your decision and your positive outlook.

x

[JCJ]

Don't be pressurised into having chemo dragonbunny. 3.5% is not a huge advantage and chemo carries long term health risks - (this was made clear to me AFTER I declined it!! "Overkill" was the expression used!) In my area chemo is not even offered unless it gives at least 4% improvement in survival after 10 years!
I'm 52, Grade 3 tumour, clear margins, no nodes. ER+ve and Her-ve, so I was considered 'borderline' for chemo and made to make the decision myself. It would give me a 5% increase form 80% to 85% survival after 10 years. But there's no guarantee I wouldn't die of something else in the meantime (lost both parents, Mum at 51, Dad at 73 to heart conditions!), or that chemo would stop it coming back. The statistics are just that: numbers. We don't know how many of those people who had chemo and it didn't recur would have had the same outcome without chemo, or how many of those who didn't have chemo and it came back would have had the same outcome with chemo!

I had a hideous week thinking about it, but am now happy with my decision to say "No Thank You!"

I had the rads, taking the hormone therapies and I'm back at work and getting on with my life. Some people say they couldn't live with themselves if they didn't have the offered chemo and the cancer came back, but personally, I would be MORE angry for wasting 4 months of my life on very damaging treatment for nothing, if I DID have a recurrence!

You have to do what's right for YOU. Don't be press-ganged into chemo unless you think the benefits outweigh the risks, after all your surgery removed the cancer, everything else is just a precaution to stop it happening again!

[dragonbunny]

Hi All
I was grade 2 , clear margins and no nodes. Consultant surgeon said 15 rads/drugs 5 yrs but no chemo. necessary. Had appt with onc (who was on holiday when they did the post op discussion) to discuss rads and she is pushing chemo (I am 56) because she said I am 'young' (!) and in good health. She said in my case there was a 3.5% greater survival rate after 10 yrs if have chemo. Even if I have chemo recurrence is not totally ruled out I guess - I will ask her these figs. Have been advised not to google - which is good advice.
Was really thrown and initially though - better have it then... saw surgeon again and he is not convinced it is needed,. Says they will monitor me. Now in a quandary. He also said that vascular invasion does not mean there are cells racing through. I have to see onc again tomorrow to make final decisio - rads or chemo/rads and from feeling calm after post op appt when teatment plan was agreed and cear ( rads only) to feeling very anxious.
x

[chascat]

Hi ladies
I've just finished treatment, 6 x fec and 20 radiotherapy, I was diagnosed with 19mm lump, grade 2 ER+ HER2-. I had a micromet on one lymph node which I understand is now classed as node negative, I was 43 when diagnosed in January. My oncologist told me I was borderline for chemo, had I been older it would have just been radiotherapy. I didn't hesitate to jump into chemo feet first. I too was terrified at first that I would have to have chemo, by the time my surgery was over and done with i'd have been disappointed if I'd been told I didn't need it, I wanted to ensure i'd done absolutely everything I could to erradicate every minute cell and do my utmost to prevent it coming back, if that meant losing my hair (didn't want the cold cap as wanted to ensure the chemo worked EVERYWHERE!) and feeling pants for a few months then so be it. By the end of chemo i'd really had enough and was glad it had finished, but I know i've done everything I possibly could and that gives me some peace of mind.
Chemo is a pain in the arse - but doable.
x

[nic1970]

I was her2 and est + grade 2 and under 3cm. I am 42 and was praying for 15 rads only. Shell shocked when she was talking about chemo after they had said rads. But they said this in the beginning to give you little bits of info. But then when u get results the drop in it can be chemo. I was guttered i wanted my life back. Thought surgery was bad enough not even thinking about that and the scar and the slight pains. Swapped buying comfortable supportive bras to wigs and scarves and hats. Bank balance having a beating. Chemo start date hoping week after next. Bring the doom on let's get ticking and deleting.

[amd66]

Thank /emmsie. waiting for appt next week now but was a bit floored by someone kindly offering me a wig already, they meant well but just not ready for those thoughts yet. have joined the september thread of those starting so if its my treatment plan i can share it with them. seems the most likely way forward, xx

[Guest user]

Hi annedes
I was originally told lumpectomy with snb followed by rads. After surgery, was to,d it was grade 3, 20mm, no spread to lymph nodes and clear margins butpossible vascular invasion, as that's the only other route aroundTeheran body, if not in the lymph nodes. Because of the grade and my age (38 at diagnosis) I was told I'd have chemo (6x FEC), rads and 5 yr course of tamoxifen as my tumour was ER+8.
I think it's likely you'll get chemo because of the grade but it is doable - I've just had my 5th session on Tuesday. Only 1 left to go before I start my rads and tamoxifen. Whilst it hasn't been pleasant, I'm usually feeling pretty much back to normal in my 2nd & 3rd week between treatments. And amazingly, it does go by quickly

Emma xx

[Guest user]

I was initially told(after biopsy) that my BC was grade 2, with no nodes affected and it would just be rads. After surgery, it was grade 3 with 3 out of 24 nodes affected and CHEMO.
I was scared stiff!! I remember sitting in the chair waiting for my first chemo and just 'wanting to run'. Then I thought of all the kids having chemo and thought 'if they can do it, so can I'.
But here I am over 4 years out and doing great. The chemo, whilst it wasn't pleasant, was doable. Just batten down the hatches and mark them off on the calendar. It's soon over.
You will get over this.

xx

[Guest user]

Hi

That's okay glad you had a lovely time a year the beach, def need to stay strong and you will find so much help on here,
Have a look on the starting chemo in August blog you will find it very useful.
I had the breast conserving surgery like you had and it looks amazing even the dr said he was pleased with his work,
You cannot fault the nhs for this exp, and also McMillan and bcc, the support I have had has been second to none
Anyway if you have any q our just want to talk pm me

Stay strong

Victoria xxx

[amd66]

Thank you Victoria, and also message to Barbara 7, yes it was the same for me, even just searching for similiar situations to yourself helped me learn so much, i feel very grateful that i have had the easy? option in that it was just a lumpectomy. have to be proud of our NHs system that they get you checked out so quickly. people say i am being upbeat but i think its just matter of fact when yourealise how many of us are going through this. thanks for your posts at least i feel pretty definite that chemo is what will happen next and you have all helped me get my head round this in a little way and wont be shocked when onc dr tells me. no appointment yet, so as you all say stay strong and just go day by day. had a lovely windy afternoon at the beach, sun on my face and listening to the waves. enjoy the easy things xxx much love

[Guest user]

Hi annadess

I was dx with grade 3, 3cm tumor, hormone positive and her 2 neg, I had no lymph node invasion, I was told one because of my age (30) and because of the grade I would def have chemo, for me its a must, I prob would have even asked for it to control this nasty beat!!

Think carefully and discuss all options before you make s decision

Victoria x

[kitten_mad]

I had Grade 3 lumpectomy on a 16mm lump, ANC on same side, then 3 FEC and 3 Tax - (one left to do) to be followed by 25 RADS if that is of any help to you.
Take care and stay strong - it is not nearly as bad as you expect it be
K M xx

[barbara_7]

hi i av just been diagnosed grade2 waiting for her2 results also waiting for consultant apt nxt week its realy helping me reading all the posts am scared but staying strong .

[Lavenderlassie]

Dear Anne,
I was Triple Negative, Grade 3 DIC 13mms, 16 nodes all clear. Some lymphovascular invasion.
Rads contraindicated because of lung problems but that was covered by having mastectomy and axillary clearance.
I was told Grade 3 made chemo likely from week 1, although the oncologist took some time to recommend it as he thought before seeing me I was too old. Once he had seen me and discussed with chest physicians he was sure it was a good plan. I had chemo of FECx6, starting 2 years ago, at age 65. I think if I had been younger he might have given me tax. Not the best time of my life, but it's done and I have a thick mop of hair again.
You sound younger, see what your oncologist says then stride out, and make friends on the boards with the others doing chemo at the same time.
Lavender
xx

[pesteringpixie]

Hi Annedes

If your tumour is grade 3, you will almost certainly be offered chemo regardless of the HER2 status.
My tumour was grade 2 and also 21mm and i finished chemo 5 weeks ago and will never regret having it. Chemo is a systemic treatment - it goes through the whole body, this means if there are any microscopic cells that have escaped via the lymph or the blood stream, chemo can zap them.

I want to know I have done everything I can to eradicate this beast. Chemo is lousy, but as everyone will tell you, it is do-able and the support on here is tremendous. For me, the idea of chemo and my projections were far worse than the reality. With the camaraderie of women on this forum, i have laughed and cried the whole way through.
Good luck.

Pixie xx

[amd66]

thank you. its so encouraging even reading the tips on chemo, not much I can do until the onc, appt so will try not to overthink the next few weeks and what might happen. I feel its probably likely so i can be a bit more prepared for it. thank you Janice, lottie63 xx
Anne

[Luvvie66]

I was 21mm, grade 2, HER2-ve, no nodes. I was given the choice of chemo, with my oncologist recommending it due to my 'young' age (45), and the fact that the tumour was over 2cm....... Just!
It may different with different oncologists, and we did discuss other things such as my health in general, which is otherwise good, and personal circumstances which might have a bearing on my decision.
The benefit of chemo quite small for me, but significant enough for me to have a choice. I chose to have it.
I've had my first treatment and am not regretting my decision.
S xxxx

[lottie63]

Hi Annedes
I was DX with a grade 3 her2- tumour in feb, Mine had affected lymph nodes - 3/20 and I was told chemo was a must, I am under the Royal marsden and if you are grade 3 they automatically reccomend chemo regardless of lymphs etc, Chemo is not at all nice but totally do-able , I finished mine in July and now have 1 weeks of rads left to do and then hopefully my active treatment is over , It may be different where you are being treated but just wanted to let you know if you do have to have chemo you will be ok , its tough but we all get through it in our own way and with help from our forum friends.

Good luck, keep in touch
Janice x

[amd66]

just a quick post as i have asked the moderator to try and get started on here. the subject says it all, i was expecting rads for 3 weeks but havent seen an oncologist yet. surgeon says it will be onc's decision for chemo and that has floored me.many thanks if any of you have had similiar.
xxx