Did you Have Chemo

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ace0001
ace0001 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Im 38 years old  100% estrogen and proge, 1.5 cm, Stge 1, no lymph involement, grade 2 IDC had a partial mast.  Anybody not do chemo with these similar circumstances.  Thanks for the input.    God Bless to all.

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  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited October 2009

    I am 47 - 80% estrogen and 100% progesterone- 1.2 cm. stage 1 grade 2 IDC- no nodes.  My onc. showed me the stats that chemo would decrease my chance of recurrence or new cancer by only 4%.  I am taking tamoxifen and had a lumpectomy-- chose not to do chemo.  Have you had the oncotype test?  That can help you decide.  Peace to you - Tami

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  • gfbaker
    gfbaker Member Posts: 173
    edited October 2009

    I was told if you are under 40, then not only does the Oncotype DX test not give you accurate results, but that you should consider your cancer agressive and get chemo regardless of stage. I had stage II one micromet and got chemo (I was 38 when diagnosed). I have a friend (37) who is stage I no micromets but is getting chemo. If you don't do chemo, are you getting rads or just surgery? It's never an easy decision to make. There are risks no matter which way you go, I think you just have to decide which risks are the ones you are willing to take. I'm sure you will make the right one for yourself.

    Gayle

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  • yogamommy
    yogamommy Member Posts: 115
    edited October 2009

    I am pretty sure that if you're under 40 and the tumor is greater than 1 cm, chemo is usually recommended. Age has a big role in that recommendation.

    Good luck with your treatment

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  • Regawhatever
    Regawhatever Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2009

    I have very similar stats to you. I was 35 when I was diagnosed and I did not have chemo. After running the Oncotype test, my doctor couldn't find anyone who was eager to get me in a chemo chair. I was a 10 on the test. Hope that helps.

    -Tricia

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  • margodae
    margodae Member Posts: 48
    edited October 2009

    I am 29 with similar stats.  Tumor 1.1cm, ER+, PR+, HER2+.  Had a partial mastectomy as well.  I am actually in the process of weighing my options as well.  It is very hard.  I was given options of:  Tamoxifen/Radiation and close monitoring vs. Chemo/Herceptin/Tamoxifen/Radiation.  My oncologist told me to try and have a decision within a week.  I welcome any information as well......

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  • Regawhatever
    Regawhatever Member Posts: 28
    edited October 2009

    Margodae- 

    Your oncologist told you to have a decision?  Geez.  If you haven't had the Oncotype test, you might want to consider it. (Unless it doesn't apply to Her2+ -- I don't know.) I have heard that Herceptin isn't bad, for whatever that's worth. Maybe having your doctor outline the risks and percentages in black and white might help. There's also an online calculator that helps you weigh which treatments are most effective. Good luck and know that it will be okay.

    -Tricia 

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  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 1,203
    edited October 2009

    The Oncotype test doesn't apply for HER2+.

    Ace, you didn't mention your HER2 receptor status. At Stage I, hormone positive and HER2-, chemo provides a small reduction in recurrance risks for many women. The Oncotype test evaluates how aggressive your cell is by looking at some of the genes. That test (or one of some other gene tests that are starting to be used) can tell you whether chemo would have a more significant benefit for you.

    HER2+ cancer is very agressive. MD Anderson reported results of a retrospective study of women who didn't have chemo with node-negative cancers less than 1 cm at the SABCS in Dec 2008. 5 year recurrence was 23% and distant recurrence (mets) was about 15%.

    By contrast, the BCIRG 006 study reported about 7% recurrence for node negative women who had either AC-TH or TCH chemo. And the minimum tumor size to be eligible for that study was 1 cm with many of the participants having larger than 2 cm.

    That difference seems well worth getting chemo to me. But then the question is which chemo. TCH (Taxotere, carboplatin and Herceptin) had lower side effects in general and less long term heart risk than AC-TH. It also avoids the small (quarter of a percent) luekhemia risk of Adriamycin in AC-TH. Therefore, I think it is a better choice. There is also a clinical trial using Taxotere and Herceptin for small node-negative HER2+ breast cancer.

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  • kk69Z
    kk69Z Member Posts: 167
    edited October 2009

    ace001: Hi there. I was stage 1, grade 1, er+ pr+ and had two lumpectomy's. I had radiation and will be on tamoxifen for 2.5 years and arimidex for the other 2.5 since I am 52 and am smack in the middle of menopause.

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