Tumor did not react to Chemo

Options
Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I have been riding this roller coaster for over six months now.  I was diagnosed in January with a 2.3 cm tumor.  Unfortunately, the MRI said it was 5cm.  We opted for neadjuvant chemo of

TC X 6 .  Just had my lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy on July 17th.  The pathology came back that the tumor was 2.3 cm and showed NO necrosis, therefore the chemo had NO effect. The BS said the lymph node looked so good , he only took the one, and that apparently had a micromet ( he has a reputation of taking too many).

My BS doesn't think we need to take any more nodes.  My onco is totally perplexed and wants a full ALND.

This has been one insane journey where nothing has been as it seemed.  Any other TNs out there that did not react to chemo?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • misty123
    misty123 Member Posts: 242
    edited July 2009

    NYdeb48 - You are in my prayers, this is such a stressful time in your life and adding different doctors conflicting opinions only adds to the stress........

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ShellyJo
    ShellyJo Member Posts: 132
    edited July 2009

    I would listen to your onc since you had micro mets/ Node invasion is not something you want to play the maybe , maybe not game with..Better too many node than not enough..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • angelsabove
    angelsabove Member Posts: 363
    edited July 2009

    I wish I could answer this question. I am in chemo now. I was diagnosed on 4/28/09. I did not do chemo prior to surgery. I did a double mastectomy on 5/21/2009. Then did my first chemo on 6/15/2009. I just complete #7 of my 12 weekly taxol. Then I have 4 more of something else not taxol. I often wonder why I was not told to do chemo before surgery. I had three positvie nodes. Does anyone know if we are SUPPOSE to do chemo first? I do not know if chemo is working or not. I just have the hope, because I have had it all cut out.

     God bless u all

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lifestooshort
    Lifestooshort Member Posts: 159
    edited July 2009

    NYDeb48,

    I did AC x 2 for a tumor about a little over 3 cm.  It didn't seem to be shrinking after the 2nd treatment so I had a breast MRI.  Not only did the chemo do absolutely nothing, the tumor grew.  I had a mastectomy and then for insurance did Cisplatin x 3 and Gemzar X 6 (concurrently) after surgery.  After chemo, I also did 33 rads.  When I had my mastectomy, the first node (they did pathology while I was out) had cancer so the BS took the remaining nodes. Those were clear.  I'm not a doctor, my I agree with your onc that you need the remaining nodes removed.  Being a trip neg, bring out the big guns right away.  I'm glad I did neo-adjuvant just for the same reason... you can tell if your body responds to it.

     Good luck & best wishes.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited July 2009

    Deb, I'm sorry about this news. It stings when you have been actively fighting this beast, sick,bald, an scared....all to learn the chemo did nothing!!!!

    I am not TN, but I can read with your post that you may be concerned about all this. I would be too.I think going in to see if there are more nodes involved is wise. Being TN, don't play around..k?

    My best to you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tnt
    tnt Member Posts: 23
    edited July 2009

    I had same thing ac worked but on taxol the tumor grew back. i had mirco mets too. they say your node negative but what is it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    Thanks to all for your input.  I spoke to my BS again and he is adamant that removing more nodes is an unnecessary risk for LE.  ddb - you said that you had micro mets also.  what did your onco have to say about that? 

    Right now the plan is to do dose dense Adriamycin X 4.

    I suppose the good news is that I know that the chemo didn't work by having it neoadjuvant.  If I had my surgery first, we would have done the chemo (TC), walked away thinking it had done the job.  Let's hope that is my silver lining.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tnt
    tnt Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2009

    I like your saying  Its about dancing in the rain . A will work for you i bet . I didnt know about micro mets until i read the  report ,I will ask about it the next time i see onc in sept.I will let you know. My onc doesnt say a whole lot, doesnt say any thing about going back to work,Doesnt say anything about port.Just said ac & T are their strongest drugs its good you are getting A last. I have been out of work since sept.08 just starting to think about going back ,not sure i want to go on medicare with employer health as seconardy,not sure i want to go to work either.All of this is just a totaly different life.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tibet
    tibet Member Posts: 545
    edited August 2009

    Laurie

    Was your dx at stage IV or was it recurrence?  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pinkdove10
    pinkdove10 Member Posts: 80
    edited August 2009

    Be a Positive Negetive

     Hugs

    Uma

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    newalex:  I have not been told what stage I am.  This is my first BC.  I am totally not a Dr person at all.  I haven't had to go see my GP in years, really never get sick, how ironic eh?

    I've worked in one job for 25 years and besides childbirth, have only taken 5 sick days.  I switch jobs last year and all this mess happens.

    ddb:  I worked all through my chemo.  I would need to take 4 days off each treatment. It was such a welcome distraction. I assume that doing dose dense, it will be just about impossible.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tibet
    tibet Member Posts: 545
    edited August 2009

    shellyjo

    Did they also test the receptor for DCIS? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2009

    ShellyJo :  my actual diagnosis of my tumor is  " invasive adenocarcinoma" .

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tibet
    tibet Member Posts: 545
    edited August 2009

    Adenocarinoma is another name for IDC. That's what my doc said. Sometimes they say IDC sometimes invasive adenocarcinoma.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tnt
    tnt Member Posts: 23
    edited August 2009

    You will do fine . Where i work they have so many rules its just easier to stay out. What ever makes you feel better you do. Take care ,the A stuff kicks butt it will shrink that tumor, thumbs up.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited August 2009

    AC is powerful stuff.....it was harder than taxol for me..but you will be fine.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Snappygoddess
    Snappygoddess Member Posts: 91
    edited August 2009

    Deb,

    I am triple negative and had a lumpectomy first..my tumor was 2.6 cm, three lymphnodes taken out(all clean) and then I had chemo. AC and Taxol and I am just now finishing up radiation(getting 5 boosts this week)

    I cannot imagine how I would feel going through chemo just to find out the tumor was unaffected. My prayers to you that the doctors find out the best course of action. I'm sorry you are having to go through this extra burden. HUGS

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ShellyJo
    ShellyJo Member Posts: 132
    edited August 2009

    Test receptor for dcis? Do you mean the node? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ShellyJo
    ShellyJo Member Posts: 132
    edited August 2009

    Test receptor for dcis? Do you mean the node? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tibet
    tibet Member Posts: 545
    edited August 2009

    No, I mean if they tested the receptors for the Insitu part (DCIS).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lissette80901
    lissette80901 Member Posts: 62
    edited October 2009

    I did 4 dd AC and the MRI showed the tumor had grown.  I had a mastectemy then did taxol. I was sad but margins and nodes were clear. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories