confusion regarding chemo is necessary or not

seeking_truth

dear All, my mother is 58 years old, she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, which was removed by mastectomy last 21.1.2016. Post operation biopsy revealed that it was stage 1 and 1 out of 5 lymph nod positive. Now 2 doctors are giving contradictory opinions. one is saying chemo is necessary, but other is saying not. they also suggested to do KI67 & P53 test to be sure if chemo is needed. any suggestion regarding these tests and if chemo is really needed. we do not want her to get through chemo.

thanks a lot for your valuable comments/ suggestions.

NancyHB

Has your mother's tumor been sent for Oncotype testing? If her cancer is ER+, this would be an excellent tool for helping determine the efficacy of chemo, even with 1 positive node. The Oncotype test cannot be administered if her cancer is ER-, however, and typically chemo is typically given in that situation. Other factors would include the size of her tumor, the type of cancer (invasive ductal, invasive lobular, etc.), the hormone receptors (ER and PR, and Her2neu). Do you know any of this information, by chance?

seeking_truth

thanks for your reply! yes, she has ER+, PR+, HER2-

tumor size is largest one measures 1.5 cm, it is invasive ductal carcinoma.

WinningSoFar

Others may disagree with me, but the first myth is that there is some 'right' decision regarding chemo, at least when you are in the earlier stages. I think it's more a 'personality' choice. My first diagnosis, I did not do chemo and the cancer did not come back. The second diagnosis (which tumor was in exactly the same spot as the first, but not thought to be a recurrence of the same tumor), I did chemo as it was IBC, so there's really no choice. Over the last four years, I've had recurrences that chemo/rads knocks out (so far anyway). What was the right choice? Darned if I know.

NancyHB

I agree with Winning - chemo can, in some cases, be a personal choice. There are posters here with diagnoses similar to your mothers who have chosen not to have chemo; for some it was a personal choice, for others their Oncotype score determined that the risks outweighed the benefits of chemo. I highly recommend the Oncotype or mammoprint (which is a similar test) to help your mother make the treatment decisions that are best for her.

Good luck, and let us know how you and she are doing.

seeking_truth

thanks a lot for your suggestions. will let you know the updates!

seeking_truth

thanks winning for your valuable suggestions

Jennyannk73

Hi there, I am a stage 2b with 1 positive node. Both ER and PR positive like your mom. I was given the choice for chemo as oncotype was in the grey area and the MDs were divided. I asked myself if I would blame myself if the cancer came back and I had not done everything I could possibly do- and for me that made the decision to do the chemo an easy one. I did 4 rounds of TC and while it was no fun at all I am glad I did it. It wasn't the worst thing ever. Radiation isn't nearly as difficult in my opinion. I hope your mother is doing well!

seeking_truth

yes, we are also in same kind of dilemma, we got the results for ki67 and p53, ki67 is 40% and p53 is negative. tomorrow we are going to doctor to show the reports. hope you are also doing well.