Treatment info Needed for Woman in her 70's

lexislove

Treatment info Needed for Woman in her 70's

lexislove

Hi ladies.

I'm actually posting this question for a friend who's 73 year old mother has had a local recurrence of her breast cancer.

*I'm sure my questions have been asked before, but I don't have the time to search the boards. The woman is having her mastectomy early this week*

SO a little back ground info. 73 year old woman, diabetic. She is in Bosnia & Herzegovina(Eastern europe). Was originally diagnosed in 2007 and had lumpectomy ONLY. Was given Tamoxiffen. The doctors said due to her age and diabetes chemo ect would be too harsh. Well, the cancer is back. They are now going to do a mastectomy under local anesthetic! She is unable to have general. This just makes me cringe.

I am a bit bothered as why they are not recomending radiation and why she was not put on an AI. What are the treatment guidlines for a woman like this in the US?

Any advice would be very helpful. The woman is scared and knows no English. I just want to be her advocate since she obviously can not be her own.

konakat

I don't have any answers, but I suggest that you also post this question under the forum "Older Women with Breast Cancer" -- you might get some ideas there.  It's towards the bottom of the list of discussion groups.

idaho

I don't know much about it either, But I do know that mastectomy is not a painful surgery- mentally it would be hard to be awake, but it is not painful. Radiation would probably be to harsh also- but maybe not.  I wonder about the AL's also.... they definitely should ask about that.  Tami

lexislove

Evening BUMP..upity up!

Crystalady

I think you should get another opinion.

Good Luck

Sandra

Anonymous

Radiation after the lumpectomy mighthave prevented this recurrence, but you can't change the past, she is having a mastectomy now, and radiation is only given in certain limited circumstances with mastectomy. 

Her diabetes could be a huge factor in any decision about chemo.  Most people in their 70's with diabetes have type 2 which is often controlled with diet, exercise and oral medications, and insulin injections may be added if those don't do enough to regulate the blood glucose levels.  Between the chemo drugs themselves, the steroids given with the chemo, the effects on appetite, and energy level, good glucose level control may be extremely difficult if not impossible.  Diabetics are also already at significantly increased risk of cardiac damage and neuropathy which are potentially life changing effects of chemo.   The consequences of uncontrolled diabetes are every bit as devastating as cancer - kidney failure, heart failure, blindness, amputations... 

As far as the use of Tamoxifen vs. AI's, that may be an issue of cost.  Tamoxifen is a generic drug at this point, while the AI's are not, so they are many times the cost. 

Hopefully the doctors there are doing their best to balance a good outcome for this woman in the short term (it is much better to survive surgery done under a local than to die from general anesthesia) with giving her the best possible shot at a long healthy life.