Surgery during chemo

Pamsbc

I have only had one chemo treatment, but the tumor feels bigger.  Why can they not go ahead and do the double mast and reconstruction and then continue with chemo.  I'm really worried and want this tumor OUT !  I am triple negative, with high grade, poorly differentiated tumor.  It really feels like it has spread out.

unklezwifeonty

What chemo are you getting? If you don't feel the tumor shrinking after 2 doses, you should definitely tell your oncologist. THey may want to change the chemo meds. If you still want the tumor OUT you should ask your oncologist and surgeon to schedule the surgery asap and take the rest of the chemo doses afterwards.

Pamsbc

I am taking adriamycin and cytoxin every three weeks.  Doing that for 4 treatments and then taxotere for 4 treatments, then surgery.  I just wonder why they can't do the surgery during chemo.  I am healthy and fit and should be able to tolerate it fine.

thenewme

Hi Pam,

Have you talked with your oncologist to tell them you feel your tumor growing? I know what you mean because I felt mine growing too. It turns out my tumor had 100% Ki67, which is the growth indicator, so I wasn't crazy thinking it really was growing FAST!  Anyway, they don't do surgery during chemo unless it's an emergency, since chemo basically shuts down your immune system.  It would be way too risky for infection and other complications to do major surgery when your immune system is shut down.  

Maybe they could do some imaging to check the size of the tumor and compare it to the previous films?  Sometimes it could be other things like swelling or hematoma from a biopsy, or even just nerves, causing the fear of the tumor growing.  Hopefully it really isn't the tumor itself.  Talk with your doctors and see what they recommend, and then ask why.  Then, if you're not comfortable,  maybe seek a second opinion.

Best of luck!  Let us know how you're doing! 

Lifestooshort

Pam,

Although they say Triple Negative cancers responds better to chemo its not always the case.  I did 2 cycles of A/C and my tumor grew during that time.  Stopped it right then and there and had surgery (mastectomy).  Was back doing more chemo within 2 1/2 weeks (different kind).  I am thankful my doctor was diligent that he ordered an MRI after the first two cycles to make sure it was shrinking and we were both shocked it had grown.  I'm sooo thankful I didn't do all 4 rounds of A/C for naught.  I think neo-adjuvant chemo is the way to go (chemo before surgery) so you can see for yourself that your chemo regime is working.

Hang in there!  Best wishes.