TN - Treatment Options?

Legacy71

Greetings Ladies! I'm new to this section of the boards. I've posted a few times on the just diagnosed section (IDC / Grade 2 / ER-/PR-/HER2- / 3cm - no nodeinvolvement seen through ultrasound / scheduled for MRI).

One of the ladies there told me to head on over here since I got my hormone receptor results (ER- /PR-/ HER2-). So what exactly does TN mean in general and for my prognosis?

I just had my first visit with Onc today - he went over 2 treatment options - wondering which would be best for me or if I should seek a second opinion.

Option# 1: Lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy - if no nodes are positive then remove tumor and proceed with 5-6 treatments of Chemo followed by Radiation treatments once a day for 6-7 weeks.

Option# 2: Masectomy with 5-6 treatments of  Chemo and no radiation.

Just wondering if these are the only options and which has a better chance at preventing recurrence. The Onc said theres at least a 5% chance that cancer will return but not necessarily in the breast. Does this mean that this little F$*@!% could pop up anywhere in the future?

I thought I'd feel better after my Onc Apt - I feel like I'm back at the beginning. Scared, uncertain, frustrated and clueless...I'd appreciate you're input and any advice or links where I can find additional info.

Thanks & God's Graces to you all!

Lovelyface

Hi Legacy71

I think we might have the same exact diagnosis.  I saw my Oncologist for the first time yesterday.  I have the following:

Invasive and in SITU Ductal Carcinoma in left breast, after lumpectomy no clear margins, want to go for a second surgery in a couple days,  ER-, PR weakly positive (2%) doc says it is negative, HER-2 - 0+/negative, basically tripple negative.  My tumor was 3.3 cm, SBR Grade II, with multiple satellite nodules. My lymph node was clean.

The treatment plan 2 Oncologists have provided me are as follows:

Chemo: Adriamycin & Cytoxan - Every 2 weeks X 4 = 8 weeks (2 hrs each session I think)

Taxol - Every 2 weeks X 4 or weekly X 12

Radiation - 6 weeks

Arimedec/Femara X 5 years

Zometa - Bone Strength - Every 6 months X 3 years

Side effects of Chemo: hair loss, effects the heart (3%), decreased infection fighting cells.

neuropathy, fatigue.

The tumor board which includes some radiologists, oncologists, other doctors will sit down on Aug. 16th when my case will be presented to them.  They will come up with a recommendation for treatment.  One doc who sits on this board - I spoke to today.  she said they look at MRI's directly, not just the radiologist reports, and carefully come to decisions.  A lady who has been presenting cases (a nurse navigator) told me that they will most probably decide on mastectomy for me.

My dear, I am feeling really scared myself as my breasts are burning at night. Actually, not just my breasts, but I have all sorts of symptoms throughout my body.  I even feel something in my ovary and uterus areas. 

I don't feel that mastectomy is necessary, as even with the mastectomy, tripple negative cancers can come back anywhere in your body, so why give up your natural breasts.  I want to keep my breasts even if they have to go in again and again to clear the margins.

Pamelajo

First of all Ladies..........take a deep breath.

TN is a scary pathology, but.... there are several upsides to it.  One being, triple neg. responds very well to chemotherapy.  It is an aggressive, fast growing cancer, therefore chemo works wonders on it because it is designed to kill fast growing cells (hence why we lose our hair and our fingernails grow at alarming rates)  Next, if you are free of recurrence for 3 years, your risk drops dramatically as opposed to our sisters with hormone receptive cancers.

Trust in your doctors.  With TN being so so aggressive, I would be terrified not to throw everything available to me at it.  I am currently finishing up my 12 abraxane treatments.  Just did number 6 yesterday.

Chemo is manageable.  I have worked full time throughout.  Yes, there will be side effects, however, you will find very helpful ways to combat the problems here on the boards.

Just remember.........you can beat this.  Attitude is everything.  Stay focused, don't give up.  Fear will only bring you down.