Triple Negative with 2% positive ER - Hormonal therapy or not?

3negative

I am new here. I am Stage 3, diagnosed July 2013. I had neoadjuvant therapy. 4 treatments of AC every other week followed by 12 treatments of Taxol weekly . Had a mastectomy on right breast in February 2014, then 25 treatments of radiation. Am having reconstruction ( Litissimus Dorsi Flap) on July 28th. All that said, I am what my radiation oncologist calls essentially TN. 2% ER+, PR-, HER2-. My medical oncologist wants me to take hormonal therapy for 5 years. He started me on Arimidex, but I could not tolerate the side effects. Now he wants me to take Aromasin. My RO says he thinks the side effects are too bad considering the small to no benefit I would receive. Have not started the Aromasin, yet. Any thoughts?

nostrilb

HI, I am sorry I did not respond to your post on my post earlier. It is a tough situation to be in, and that's why I stopped and started back on tamoxifen twice.  My first oncologist said that if I could tolerate the side effects, I should take it just in case.  My second oncologist, after the first one left the practice, said that even if it didn't help with the 3N cancer, it would greatly reduce my chances of having a hormone responsive breast cancer in the future.  That was enough of a reason for me.  Thankfully, I have no side affects with the tamoxifen, so I am not out anything if it doesn't work.  You should look at the side affects, and the possible benefits you are getting, and I think you will have your answer. 

3negative

Thanks for the information nostrilb.  I will consider the effects and long term benefits.  Will press both oncologists for more information, too.  Hard to know what way to go when you receive differing opinions from doctors.

christina1961

They found 5-10% ER receptors after my mastectomy.  I have been on tamoxifen for over two years now and my oncologist wants me to stay on some sort of hormonal therapy for 10 years.  I think it has caused weight gain (something has!) and I get hot flashes, but the hot flashes are getting much better all of a sudden and other than that, it really isn't a problem.  I take one pill in the morning and one at night and that seemed to help a great deal with any side effects.  I had some dizziness early on. 

Nettie1964

I am also 2% +, I started the aromasin, but couldn't take the SE, MO doesn't know that I've stopped as when I reported the SE, he said they were NOT from Aromasin and that I should see PCP and continue on the therapy!  I stopped on my own, SE went away and I see MO in August!  So we will see then if he wants me to try another!

3negative

Good Morning!

Well, MO convinced me to try the Aromasin.  Said he would try it.  I started it the same day.  SE were very bad.  Night sweats and couldn't sleep.  Stopped it after 7 days.  Haven't told ME, yet.  He said if the SE were too much to discontinue med. Will email him today.  Guess I will go the route of healthy eating and exercise to ward off future cancers.  Would be good for me anyway.  Don't know if there are other meds to try or not.  Thanks to all who posted or at least thought about posting.