Low Estrogen Positivity

christina1961

My original core needle biopsy showed less than 1% estrogen receptors.  I had neoadjuvant chemo followed by MX two weeks ago.  They tested the residual tumor (after some coaxing) and found 5-10% stain positive for estrogen receptors.  Anyone out there with a similar situation?  What did they advise?  Thanks so much.

weety

I was HER2+ as well, so it might not be much help, but my ER positivity was considered "weak" from the start.  I think they said less than 10% was considered a "weak" positive.  But my onc said positive is a positive with cancer--she used the analogy of being pregnant--you either are or you aren't.  She put me on anti-hormonal therapy (femara b/c of ooph/hysterectomy) and said that cancer has so many unknowns, and you just never know which "part" of a cancer cell could get reactivated and turn on the growth, so "we want to cover all the bases." 

bak94

My doctor also said that even though I am only 3% er positive that he will put hormonal treatment. My tumor will also be retested after bmx, as I also had neoadjuvent chemo. The 3% was also from the core biopsy.

How are you doing after mx? I am worried about surgery.

christina1961

Thanks Weety!  I'm glad you have herceptin too - is apparently a real wonder drug for Her2.

Bak94,

I'm doing ok - I was back to work (and some of my job is lightly physical) in a week but then developed an infection around the drain opening after 3 days of work.  I was back in bed for two days with a fever and aches. I started antibiotics yesterday and am feeling much better already.  It is still painful to move the arm and I am numb on the inside of my upper arm from the ANLD (16 nodes removed.)

bak94

When I had a lumpectomy in 2003 I did not have much pain until they had to go back in and do the ANLD because sn was pos. That was painful! I know lumpectomy is different than mx, but I remember that pain from the node removal. They took 40 some nodes out and only had micromets in one!

TifJ

I am 3% ER+, but my onc treats me as a true triple negative. He says the side effects of Tamoxifen outweigh the benefits. Sometimes I wonder - why do some get hormonals and some do not at low percentages?

christina1961

Tif,

Love your photo!  I will soon be able to talk to two different oncologists about whether or not Tamoxifen would be helpful for me.  I've noticed also that some get it and others don't - and it is hard to find information on the internet.  Maybe I'm not using the right key terms.

TifJ

Christina- Thanks! If you find anything out online, please let me know-I haven't been able to really find anything.