To Do or Not To Do?

DIL

I'm 49 years old under post menapause. I was digonosed with invasive carcinoma and the tumor was measured as 1.3 cm. The tumor was grade 1, level 1. My Her2 and Lymph Nodes were both negative. I did a lumpectomy. My Onco test was 19. My onco doctor recommended me that I do 4 cycles of chemo. I have ask opinions from other doctors. One agrees with my onco doctor, while the other disagrees for chemo. He believes chemo will not benefit me. I am in a big debate on what to do. Any suggestions?

Susie123

I'm the same age as you, my tumor was just a little larger than yours, negative nodes and negative her2.  Mine is stage 1, grade 1.  My onco said no chemo, based on the oncotype score and the fact that it is grade 1. Grade 1 cancer cells are not much different from regular cells so they don't respond as well to chemo. The way chemo works is that it kills all cells, good ones and bad ones. The thought behind it is that the cancer cells grow so much faster that it will kill the cancers cells before it kills you (by killing the good ones to). In grade 1 cancers, the cancer cells grow at about the same rate as the good cells do. Thus the chemo is not very effective against grade 1 cancer. I notice you're ER+. Did your onco mention tamoxifen or arimidex?

DIL

I am not sure.  I have to do Taxotere Cyclophosphamide. What was your score? 

Susie123

16. Did you have vascular invasion? Ask your onco if he follows NCCN protocol. That's important. With a grade 1 cancer, the risk of toxicity from the chemo is almost as high as the possible benefit from it. Ask if he follows NCCN protocol, you want an onco who follows that to make sure you're getting the most current treatment, not the treatment norms for 10 years ago.

Susie123

Also, I see you did a lumpectomy. Normally with that, there is a secondary form of treatment, like radiation. Did you have radiation?

DIL

My onco says that I had a vascular invasion.  His decision is based on that and my age. I will be doing radiation and hormone treatment.Chemo will start on Monday. 

DIL

I just did my 3rd treatment.  I have one more to go.  I begining to feel numbness in my feet.  Amyhing I could do to reduce it.

Joanne58

DIL--

I put ice packs on my feet 1/2 hr. before and during my 3rd tx of AC to prevent further numbness. Yours may go away after treatment, but mine will most likely be permanent since I had peripheral neuropathy before cancer. Taxotere is known for neuropathy side effects in hands and feet, so ask your onc. for supplements.  Some Dr.s OK things like Acetyl L Carnatine and Glutamine (sp?). I'm taking B6 and hoping it helps. Good luck, and know you're not alone!