How to assess if chemotherpy is working?

Kkmay

A few seconds ago Kkmay wrote:

Hi,

today was my mom's 4th AC session. Her MO said that her tumor has "lessened in intensity" and "changed in color" However, he seemed unhappy with the result and told us that he doesn't expect it to fully disappear! What the &$@&!! She still has 12 taxol to go after today's AC. He decided to add something called " carbon" or "carbo" to her upcoming taxol sessions. I think it’s a type of chemo.His reaction made me really anxious. I thought my mom was reacting well to chemo. I'm really scared now. I read somewhere here that the some tumors flat out, while others collapse in a ball. I don't know how true is that.

Has anybody been in a similar situation?

Trishyla

Yes. I did not get a PCR (pathologically complete response) from my chemo. There was still residual cancer when I had my surgery. But there's really no way to know how effective it is until they actually remove the tumor.

It sounds like it is working, but there is still residual tumor. Not surprising with such a large tumor, especially triple negative. Maybe the chemo won't completely eliminate it, but it might shrink it down to where she can get a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy. Or maybe that very last infusion of taxol and carboplatin will be the one that wipes out every last cancer cell. No way of knowing till she does it.

I know it's hard seeing your Mom having to go through this. She lucky to have you supporting her. I hope all goes well with her treatment.

Trish