Chemo scheduled for next Wed 8/14...I have questions

Judyhook1

Hello,

Newbie here...have some concerns/questions.

I was diagnosed with Estrogen positive breast cancer in November of 2018.It was 10mm (1cm). My first doctor said a lumpectomy was in order followed by several weeks of radiation.I decided on an alternative method of treatment for 3 months (cannabis) ...didn't work so I went to another oncologist.

She turned me over to a surgeon who removed the lump. 2 of 4 tissue specimens revealed some invasive ductal carcinoma, NBR 8, grade 3 with extensive DCIS.

About a week later they did a re-excision, again of medial margin, superior margin, lateral and posterior/pectoralis fascia. They found high grade DCIS in 2 tissue samples out of the 4.The other 2 samples showed no invasive carcinoma or DCIS.

The surgeon suggested 2 options.The one she recommended was a complete mastectomy of the one breast and no radiation.The other option was another re-excision taking pretty much the whole breast (nipple areola) plus radiation. As I contemplated a mastectomy they added 4 cycles of Chemo (Taxotere & Cytoxan) BEFORE the surgery.

As I understand, Chemo is used when...

• the lymph nodes under your arm contained breast cancer cells (I had none)
• you had a large tumor in your breast (mine was relatively small- 10mm)
• the breast cancer cells were high grade (grade 3) (I had some)
• the cancer cells didn't have hormone receptors and so hormone therapy is not likely to work well (Mine is ER positive)

I do not know why the surgeon who took out the lump did not order radiation since the first surgeon I talked to was going to order it.

My questions are: If I take Chemo why is a mastectomy necessary? If Chemo doesn't kill all the DCIS why not just get a mastectomy first? Does anyone have opinions?

Thank you,

Judyhook1