Chemo as neoadjuvant therapy

scaredashell07

so I'm awaiting biopsy results. I have a positive US and mammography. Saw a doc in NYC and she said if results of biopsy come back as expected they may do chemo before surgery tl shrink tumor and cancer in lymph nodes under arm. I've read that this is usually for large tumors which mine is 1 in. And also so prevent full mastectomy but I didn't say I wanted to save my breasts and I actually said I would not care if I did. I have two small kids at home and no family help for my husband and I. I was hoping wokld be surgery and then treatment. Is this usual or some new treatment they have seen better results? Anyone else do this treatment? I haven't even been told stage or other characteristics

ElaineTherese

Hi!

I did neoadjuvant chemo, and it wiped out the active cancer in my breast and compromised lymph node. Yes, I had a large lump (5 cm+), and one lymph node tested positive for cancer via fine needle biopsy. I did ultimately choose a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy, but just because you go with neoadjuvant chemo doesn't mean that you forego YOUR choice of surgery. After chemo, you can still choose mastectomy.

Doctors recommend neoadjuvant chemo for a number of reasons, not just to give you the opportunity to choose a lumpectomy. I was triple positive (ER+/PR+/HER2+), and opting for neoadjuvant chemo gave me access to Perjeta, a targeted therapy for HER2+ cancer. Some women are diagnosed with triple negative cancer (ER-/PR-HER2-), and their doctors often recommend neoadjuvant chemo to see whether the prescribed chemo is actually wiping out the cancer as it should. If not, they can always try a different regimen.

You don't provide your particulars, but your doctor must have a reason beyond "big lump" to recommend neoadjvant chemo for you. You can always ask for an explanation, and if you don't find it persuasive, you can always get a second opinion. Best wishes!