Chemo Or Surgery 1st

Annie51

Many Thanks for everyones help so Far . It has really helped.

I have a decision to make I have had a Lumpectomy and I need to have further surgery and Chemo .

What should I do 1st , It would be easier for me Not that any of this is easier to have chemo 1st as I would have a 4 week recovery period from Surgery. I also am on Tamoxifen already . I am worried about that in its self but will look at that further after I start all this on August 4th Booked into both. Surgeon says Surgery Oncologist says Surgery ...ARGH!

Any advice . I was worried that Surgery after Chemo I would be to low to recover ? But I have no one to help me with Disabled kids post Surgery as Husband has no time left off work and He works away from Home Monday to Friday .

Thanks and Prayers Annie

Survivor07

Hi Annie,

With me, part of my decision rested with the size of my mass.  Because it was so big (12 x 8 cms) my doctors insisted that I have chemo first to shrink the mass. And besides, they said I couldn't wait the 4-6 weeks (after surgey) for chemo--I needed it now...according to my doctors.   If your doctors want to do surgery first, I'm assuming your tumor isn't that large.  So perhaps surgery would be OK first for you.  Through my journey, I have relied on both my Surgeon and Oncologist....so far they haven't steered me wrong. Good luck to you and keep us posted!!

Annie51

Hi ,

My Lump was 80mm so big! but I had clear margins but I am going Chemo 1st as I think I can only do one thing at a time .. even though they have said I can have it which way round I like and surgery and then being knocked by Chemo seems harsh, plus It means I would be less time to final reconstruction.

Thanks keep you posted

YoYo44

Hello Ladies,

 I was just diagnosed earlier this month with ILC.  The recommendation from the oncologist and surgeon was chemo first to try to shrink the tumour.  They don't have a good size estimate but somewhere between 3 and 4 cm probably. Don't know about node involvement but seems there might be one suspeicious one.  I am in Canada so not able to have the oncotype test.  I am only 44 so the plan is Zoladex (to stop ovaries) then 12xTaxol and then 4AC or 4FEC (?), then surgery and...  The hope is for reduction in size for clean margins if not lumpectomy, but the oncologist is not optimistic, thinks it will need to be a mastectomy.

I am not really crazy about the chemo with ILC and HER2- but think it is a reasonable plan combined with the Zoladex.  With the TailorX trial it seems I would have access to the oncotype test but not be eligible for the Zoladex and the one suspicious node might be positive and rule me out.

 It has been a challenging time as everyone on this forum knows.  Going from being the one who is always the healthiest one and in control to suddenly being a patient and out of control.  I plan on looking for the positive at every turn and have already had several pleasant surpirses, including fiinding this forum.  Truly a great place.

Peace and best wishes with your decision.

victoriasecret

My surgeon said I could have Chemo 1st ...my tumour ended up being 7.5 m but I think and I will know more when I read path that it was bridged and mxed so in 2 quadrants if that makes sense...I just wanted it out mentally for me that worked.

they got clear margins and no vascular but I have 11 out of 24 pos nodes...so my battle begins.

much love

C