question about triple neg

momand2kids

all,

i have cousin just dx with TNBC.  Good docs, NCI facility.  are there oncs that specialize in TNBC? Should she consult with one?  Is chemo always recommended and what kind?  Are anti-hormonals an option with TNBC?  What questions might she be asking her onc as she starts down the road of treatment decisions?

thanks

TifJ

I would check with your NCI facility about whether they have a particular oncologist that specializes in TNBC. Chemo is almost always recommended for TN because anti-hormonals will not work for TN. Triple negative means that the cancer cells are not "fueled" by estrogen/progestren or HER 2.

If your cousin is under 50, she should ask about having the BRCA test done. This test basically tells you if the cancer is genetic or not. If the test is positve- having a bilateral mastectomy as well as having your ovaries removed is recommended as having the BRCA 1 or 2 gene causes a higher recurrence rate. I'm sure her doctor can explain it better than I can!

Hope this helps some.

momand2kids

thanks

it seems that they are not recommending chemo--tumor very small-good margins......