ER % change after surgery - neoadjuvant chemo

Kodabear1

My initial biopsy showed ER+ (50%) and PR+ (90%) I had neoadjuvant chemo ACT prior to surgery on 5/29/2019. Unfortunately, I did not achieve PCR. I knew achieving PCR was unlikely due to ER status and having ILC. However, my final pathology showed ER + (98%) and PR + (90%). So, I had a large % increase in ER status. My MO indicated that chemo likely killed off the more aggressive cells but didn’t impact the ER cancerous cells. I want to feel hopeful by this news but still always so scared. Anyone else relate to a change in ER status (post surgery) who had neoadjuvant treatment?

Warm Regards

LaughingGull

Hi kodabear

I also had some change in the hormone receptor percentages. Estrogen receptor went up from 95% to 99%, progesterone receptor went down from 95% to 30%. I am also Her2 positive, which stayed the same. I also went from grade 3 to grade 2 and I heard the same explanation they are giving you: that chemo likely killed off the more aggressive cells, but didn't impact the ER cells, with the silver lining that those will be taken care of by the hormonal treatment. And my MO also added that that was just a theory, and that they don't really know...not reassuring!

Best wishes for your recovery from surgery.

LaughingGull