Treatment Response

Aram

I have a question regarding treatment response. For those of you having palpable masses, did you at any point during Neoadjuvant treatment feel it getting smaller? if so, after how many treatments? In my appointment after one round of AC, the MO touched the masses and told me it looks like they are getting softer. But I personally don't feel like they are getting smaller. What tests do they usually perform to know if the tumor is responding to the treatment? I have been done with two AC treatments so far, and I don't feel like it is getting any smaller...

Poppy_90

Aram,

Yes, I definitely felt my mass getting smaller. I noticed it towards the end of AC. I saw my BS about halfway through chemo and the scan also showed that I wasn’t imagining it. Until we did the lumpectomy, though we didn’t know just how successful the chemo had been. I also hope you get pCR. I’ll keep you in my thoughts.

Aram

Thank you Poppy_90. It is really hard while still on treatment not to let my mind to go to what ifs. I just want to make sure I am asking right questions to ensure nothing is missed.

Melbo

mine was noticeably smaller after a few rounds of chemo and undetectable by feel by the end of chemo. They also couldn’t find any sign of the tumors on ultrasound after I completed chemo. Surgery showed a PCR

Aram

thanks Melbo. I hope mine starts getting smaller soon as well. Though maybe I need to be more patient and wait for the TH part. It is hard not to get ahead of myself and worry...

Aram

For anyone looking for answers to the same question: after completing 4 rounds of AC, my tumor softened and was considerably smaller but I still could find it. After a few rounds of THP I was not able to feel it anymore neither my oncologist. I had my meeting with my breast surgeon this week (after finishing chemo) and he was not able to feel either of tumors either.

Melbo

Yay Aram! I hope that means PCR once they do surgery. Are you scheduled for surgery yet

Aram

Hi Melbo, the breast surgeon said first week if October but waiting for OR to contact me. And I really hope I get PCR...

Melbo

I hope you do too! Our diagnosis is almost identical — complete with two tumors and the tumor sizes (I only listed one of mine in my stats.) I got a PCR with TCHP and AC+T is the stronger of the treatments, so your chances should be reallygood.

Aram

Thank you! Fingers crossed!

AlwaysMeC

Best wishes, Aram!

1Greekmomma

My tumor (26 by 16mm) completely disappeared with 4 doses of DD AC. I opted out of the Taxol.

No invasive carcinoma after surgery. 0.3mm total of micromets in 2 lymph nodes (out of 6). Not PCR but I'm ok with that because PCR or not, axillary radiation was going to be part of my treatment anyway.

Having Herceptin added to the mix should bolster your likelihood of PCR.

All the best!

Aram

AlwaysMeC, thank you.

1Greekmomma, I hope radiation goes well.