Tumor not shrinking after chemo

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Pamsbc
Pamsbc Member Posts: 9
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I was diagnosed in Sept. 09 with a 2cm triple negative tumor. Everything I had read said that one positive was that TN typically responds well to chemo.  After 3 rounds of a/c, the tumor had not shrunk - maybe even grown a little.   The surgeon suggested we proceed with surgery instead of continuing chemo.  I had a double mastectomy and reconstruction 2 weeks ago.  They took 15 lymph nodes; only 1 had a 5mm spot of cancer.  They only had a 1 mm margin from the tumor to the chest wall.  I will begin 4 rounds of taxotere on 1/21.    Has anyone else had the experience of TN and the tumor does not shrink??

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  • Fidelia
    Fidelia Member Posts: 397
    edited January 2010

    Dear Pamsbc

     have had a different experience - no tx at first just a mx right away and the tumour was ER+ - didn't prevent recurrence - however - I have read here on many posts that Triple Neg does respond well to chemo - but I don't think that always means the tumour shrinks - I think the surgery was the best approach and the important thing now is the chemo follow up to wipe out any stray cells which, the case of triple neg seem to be more vulnerable to a range of chemos than the ER+ types are - so while the tumour didn't appear to shrink - the surgery go rid of it and now the chemo will mop up. Cells are much more vulnerable than tumours - take heart seems as though you have done all the right things - getting through chemo is well documented here - there are lots of ladies with similar experiences - keep in touch and good luck.

    Fidelia

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  • Karen3
    Karen3 Member Posts: 307
    edited January 2010

    Hi Pamsbc,

     I was diagnosed in September too and had chemo before surgery. My chemo treatment was withdrawn at the end of November because after four different types of chemo the tumour was not responding (this included Taxol and Taxotere as well as Epirubicin and Cyclophosphomide). So you are not alone. My surgeon suggested less radical surgery to begin with though.......I had a lumpectomy on 4th Jan and I go for the results of that on Tuesday. I think you have done all that you can Pamsbc. I agree with Fidelia above. Just concentrate on your treatment and try not to jump too far ahead. If my margins are clear I too may push for more chemo (but a different kind). Just because the chemo you have had so far did not work on the mature cancer cells in the tumour does not mean it has not dealt with the immature circulating tumour cells which may be present. Hope you are recovering well after surgery XXXX. 

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  • ElaineD
    ElaineD Member Posts: 2,265
    edited January 2010

    The problem in hoping/assuming that we may follow the usual pattern-ie, "triple neg usually responds well"-is what happens when you don't follow the norm? The dissapointment and resulting worry is huge. So, I agree with Karen-concentrate on the present, don't look too far ahead, and hope that there will be a chemo to which you will respond. Sadly, no cancers follow any rules-we're all individuals, and what works well for some patients, may fail dreadfully for others. All you can do is to focus on your ongoing treatment-and just be prepared to adjust it if necessary. I have a triple neg friend who had to try 3 different chemos before they found one to which she started to respond. I'm not saying that to worry you-more to reassure you that there are options available still. Good luck.

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