HELP ME UNDERSTAND??

Hello,

There is a lot that goes into it, it is based on the tumor size, grade, etc, but many fall right on the line and can choose to have chemo or not.

I didn't have a choice, but still would have done it, because I wanted to hit it as hard as I could, and because it travels through the bloodstream and not just the nodes.  If it's a personal choice, do what you feel is right for you, based on your tumor's personality.

I hope this helps a bit.

((Hugs))

Sue

Just a heads up that things can change after the final pathology from surgery.

Pre surgery it looked like no chemo -- biopsy had shown 100% ER/PR + and negative HER2 

 My pre-surgery MRI showed no node involvement.  The post surgery pathology report changed my treatment plan. Postive node and lymphatic vascular invasion --- the cancer cells had started to move out of the breast.

 As others have noted, there a number of different factors to look at -  a lot of them aren't  known until post surgery.   The size, personality(hormone markers, grade,) node and vascular involvement.

The main portion of the site has some great information for understanding what all this means. a good place to start is the "your diagnosis" page

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/

A big portion of it is how comfortable you are with risk  and your personal medical history that lets you with the trade-offs with the various treatment options open to you.

I hope this helps.

It's challenging journey but there a lots of folks who've travelled the path here to help.

Meg 

Age is a big factor too. Younger women benefit more from chemo.

You may also benefit from an Oncotype test which will tell you your recurrence score and how much or how little chemo could help you.

Yes I heard this too. Why does the whacky diagnosis survey on this site not allow you to enter your real diagnosis? I actually have LCIS, DCIS and mucinous carcinoma all in one breast. I know. I'm not the only one out there. I. Tried to buy the app for is site and again you only get to pick one type. Any ideas on how to trick it? Xo

I'd suggest that you get the oncotype test done.  That can help you determine your path better.  I had two lymph nodes involved, and had a "modified" radical mastectomy, but the oncotype was only 14.  With that my oncologist recommended no chemo, no radiation, 2.5 years of tamoxifen (which is kicking my butt bad enough) and 2.5 years of a (yet to be disclosed) aromitase inhibitor. 

Chemo is very do-able.  There are bad days, side effects, and some tears, but on the whole it's worth it and there are more good days than bad.  Most of us can continue to work full time and take care of all of our responsibilities during it.

If it helps, according to the NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) hormone responsive tumors larger than 1 cm should receive chemo and hormone therapy, especially if it is an aggressive grade and or is a mixed tumor.

Cancer travels through the blood system, node involvement or not.  With LVI even if only on one side, I would think long and hard, not just about what I feel like doing, but what is best for my long term survival.  Always remember, your medical team is there to help you, but they can go home at the end of the day and not give it another thought, so this is all about you.

((Hugs))

Sue

There are so many things to consider and it really depends on complete pathology.  I was stage 1, ER/PR+ and Her2-.  My oncotype was 17 but I had angiolymphatic invasion (meaning there was a potential pathway established for the cancer to spread by blood) but had clear nodes.  I am 45 and have a young son.  I had two opinions...one said chemo and the other said no chemo.  I want to do everything I can to beat this especially for my son.  I knew if it came back and I had not done chemo I would have regret.  I am also pre-menopausal.