Do I have to have chemo?

mcmacey

Hi All,

Just had lumpectomy last Friday - went well.  Margins good, sentinel node clear -whew, whew.  Tumor is 2.4cm, markers are ER+/PR-/HRTu-.  Is this a slam dunk for chemo?  I'm almost 50 (happy bday right?), really healthy, exercise, eat very well. 

Meeting with onco in a week.  Dreading, just dreading a chemo recommendation.

When do they decide you DON"T need it?

SpecialK

Are you having Oncotype Dx done on a sample from your lumpectomy?  It may help with a decision concerning chemo.  Here are a couple of links with info:

http://www.oncotypedx.com/en-US/Breast/PatientsCaregiversInvasive/OncotypeDX/Overview

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/oncotype_dx

coraleliz

When you see you oncologist(MO) he/she can give you the statistics regarding how helpful the different therapies are including chemo & tamoxifen(or AIs). You might have to ask for the oncotype. Maybe checkout the links SpecialK posted. Then call the office & ask about getting the test if not already ordered. It takes a week or two to get the results. The waiting is soooo hard for most of us.

ruthbru

Wait and see what they have to say. But know that if chemo is indicated; it is very doable (not fun, but with the anti-nausea meds etc. it is generally as horrible as people think it will be). When I did it, I felt like I had a mild case of the flu most of the time. I was able to work, be a mom etc. do everything I had to and most of what I wanted to do also. Hopefully, you won't need it, but if you do remember that chemo is NOT the enemy, cancer is. Chemo is like your own Navy Seals killing the terrorist cancer cells.

edwards750

Your ONC will recommend the Oncotype test if he/she is unsure about treatment. Mine did. I had a micromet in my SN so she recommended the test. My treatment was dependent on the outcome. My score came back 11 and my tumor was deemed to be non aggressive and smaller than first thought. Whew...that got me RADS not chemo. 33 of them which are also doable.

lorettaloretta

HI, MY ONC SAID GETTING CHEMO WAS MORE RISKY THAN NOT GETTING IT AND I AM VERY SIMILAR TO YOU. ONCOGENE 10. I AM THRILLED TO NOT HAVE TO HAVE CHEMO. START RADS MONDAY.