Positive lymph node--chemo?

Mariebee · April 2012

@ Judy (jdwench) yes I agree with all the kudos on trials. I was randomized to no chemo, and entered the trial (as randomization matched my decision,or at least a decision I could deal with amongst the flip flopping). I'm also in trial (exericse for cancer patients) while I'm going through my radiation treatment.

I'm premenopausal, but due to blood clot history I started on zoladex and arimidex.

I have PCOS, but docs (endocrinologist, primary and ob/gyn) haven't been fans about putting me on metformin (this occured prior to breast cancer). What's this you talk about arimidex w/ or w/out metformin. I've to go look for this topic/trial- but what can you share....

Lee7 · April 2012

It's a little over a year now since I skipped chemo and just went on to rads and Arimidex. It really was an agonizing decision time and I still flip flop on how I feel about it. Mostly due to other peoples reaction when I say I skippped chemo.

I wish I could have entered the RxPonder trial. Knowing about the trial has helped me to feel a little better about my decision and knowing others made a similar choice has helped too. I don't feel so alone.

I hope everyone posting here on this thread can stay in touch !

molly2 · April 2012

I am like all of you, a flip flopped. I am post menopausal, .8 cm, 2 nodes positive on biopsy, no surgery yet. Oncotype DX score 14. BRAC neg. decided to do Taxol x 12 and finished that. Going tomorrow for second round of AC. I am thinking I will do just 3 rounds of AC instead of 4. Just don't want the toxisity and am so ready to be finished with chemo. Want my hair back! Have had an easy time with chemo though..all things considered. Worked out every day which I think saved me. Had very few SEs and feel so lucky. Any thoughts on not doing the last round of chemo? Struggling with this. Just want to get on with it. Will have lumpectomy and radiation.

Love all the insight on here and feel not so much like the lone ranger in terms of struggling with these decisions. Thanks so much.

bdavis · April 2012

Molly... my two cents. You have already lost your hair, chemo is not that hard on you, but how would you feel if you skipped the last dose and then had a recurrance and had to do it ALL over again.. That would not be fun. I had 6tx of chemo and even though many around me were having 4tx, I did all six, and know I have done everything I can. ALSO, from what I understand, cancer cells grow in cycles and the many rounds of chemo are designed to kill them at the various stages... If you skip, you run the risk of missing some cell growth. Someone told me this, not sure if its right... but might be worth asking about.

molly2 · April 2012

Thank you. I know you are correct. Just don't want to do it. In the end I probably will do it. I'll keep posting as I make a decision. Thank you for replying. Just seems like I was recommended to do more chemo than most women who have the same diagnosis. !

WaveWhisperer · May 2012

Maribee, I also am considering joining a trial testing Arimidex with or without Metformin. I'm not sure if it's the identical one others were talking about, but this one is "Phase III Randomized Trial of Metformin vs. Placebo on Recurrence and Survival in Early Stage Breast Cancer." It says sponsor: NCIC CTG-MA.32

The paperwork says "this research is being done because previous laboratory work has shown that Metformin may decrease the growth of different types of cancer cells, including breast cancer cells. Research has also shown that Metformin lowers the level of insulin, a hormone found in the blood that can negatively affect breast cancer."

Horizons · May 2017

I just came across this discussion and am wondering how everyone is doing. I am in a similar situation.

Grade 1, er/pr positive, her2 negative. 2 positive (sentinel) lymphnodes. 0/3 axillary nodes. Tumor size 2.5cm. Had a mastectomy 3 weeks ago. I do not have the oncotype results yet. My MO did not order because he feels with the lymphnodes positive it's not relevant. He recommends chemo therapy. I have an appointment for a 2nd opinion and hope to get the oncotype test done.

Any advise?

Emily2008 · May 2017

Horizons, if I'm not mistaken, you wouldn't even be eligible to have Oncotype run on your pathology since you have 2 positive nodes. Oncotype is really just for ER/PR pos, node negative women.

I agree that you should definitely get a second opinion on your follow up treatment, but I wouldn't be surprised if nobody runs the Oncotype test on your path due to those 2 nodes. Plus with your tumor size, I'd be surprised if an oncologist recommends no chemo.

Good luck! Keep us posted.

ETA: This is a really old thread. You may want to post your question on the Stage 2 forums, or on the Just Diagnosed Forum.

NancyHB · May 2017

The Oncotype test is for ER+ BC with 3 or fewer positive nodes, so it would still be an appropriate test for you, Horizons.

From their website:

"For patients with early-stage, ER-positive, HER2-negative, node negative, and node-positive (1-3) breast cancer, the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score quantifies the risk of distant recurrence and the likelihood of chemotherapy benefit."

http://www.oncotypeiq.com/en-US/

I was node negative and my MO gave me the choice of chemo but offered to run the Oncotyoe test for me as part of my decision-making g progress. I'm glad he did; my score was 42. I ended up having chemo, and my high score allowed me to participate in a clinical trial.

Good luck

Horizons · May 2017

Thank you so much! They did end up running the oncotype test. Results in 10 days......

In the meanwhile I will start mentally "preparing" for chemotherapy.

Positive lymph node--chemo?

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