I dont understand why I need Chemo.

Have you had the Oncotype DX test? That would really determine if you need chemo or not. That said, you might need chemo becase some cancer could have escaped into the rest of your body. If it got from the tumor to even one lymph node, it has learned to travel. Doctors cannot guarantee that they got every single cancer cell. That is impossible. Also, your tumor was a little large. That may be another reason they're talking about chemo. Hope you figure it all out to your satisfaction!

I would say likely tumour size and the fact that you had a positive lymph node are the deciding factors. Chemo is unpleasant but definitely doable - there are those who would disagree with me, but for my own peace of mind, I know after going through all the recommended treatments that I've done all that I could - I can't go back and say "what if..."

Litha, you're so right, LIFE is the goal, especially when it includes a little one! My surgeon tried not to second guess my oncologist after surgery. The surgeon suspected I would need chemo, due to the 2 positive, albeit micromets, nodes. However, the oncologist opted for no chemo after I got a low Oncotype score. That's why I mentioned how important the test is. I'm not sure if it's done routinely in the UK though. 

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Litha, I had no choice as I was Stage III.  Chemo is rough, but you can make it through. 

My friend is going through chemo now - she had a 2 cm tumor and 2 nodes.  She went to MD Anderson in Houston, TX the number one cancer hospital in USA.  They told her she should do chemo - and she is 65 yrs old.  She is doing it and now glad she did.

Litha, I just wanted to mention that everybody's reaction to tamoxifen and Aromatase inhibitors is different. I've been on Aromasin for 8 months and feel fine.

Kam, yes they have changed it to 3 or less positive nodes.

It is unusual for hospitals (still) to offer Oncotype to node-positive patients. 

No one can tell you definitively what the best solution is simply because so little is still understood about the function of chemotherapy.  For many of us, it is indeed "overkill".  But medicine just hasn't parsed that with such a fine point yet.  The studies are starting to come in:  Taxotere in certain settings, for instance, does seem to work more effectively than other chemotherapies. 

At my hospital, which is NCCN ranked, there is a checklist for chemo.  Node positive, high grade, tumor size, LVI, type and histology (triple neg, HER2) are all "yes" for chemo.  I was high grade. Despite a low Oncotype, I was advised to do chemo.

I don't regret my decision at all.  I also am deeply aware that we did the best we could with what we had available, and I certainly hope the next generation will have better choices than destroying my natural menstrual function and general health in the chance the treatment may ward off recurrence.  It was the best we had, but as a mature person, I don't consider that "good".  I don't even subscribe to "hit it hard" or "do everything possible". Some studies indicate chemo is ineffective in a lot of circumstances, and I may have been one of those who didn't benefit.  Again, they just don't have it figured out that clearly yet.

Doctors are trying to keep the cancer from being fatal.  That's why you "need" chemo with your node-positive status.  Someday, they will be able to understand whether that is really the case.  In the meantime, I'm a huge believer that anything "natural" strong enough to kill cancer, the most elusive of diseases, IS chemotherapy.

Edited to add:  you can do Cancermath.net to look at your benefit from chemotherapy given your profile.  One serious thing to consider, though doctors aren't sure why I believe:  a combined treatment approach yields better results than the individual sum of the parts.  (Chemo + radiation + hormonal treatment) Another important thing to remember:  the hormonals can't be tolerated by a lot of people, and there is concern they, too don't work in all scenarios.  If you go through this without chemo and you can't tolerate the hormonals, you could really be in a pickle.

Litha, there are many different chemos and durations. While chemo is probably indicated in your case, there are different combinations so you may want to seek other opinion/s as to the chemo you would have.



I had six cycles of TAC chemo. My tumour was also lobular with isolated tumour cells in two nodes. This may be a shorter course of treatment applicable to you.



Best of luck.

I had L mast, was informed I could have lumpectomy but i was in process of making wedding plans,so most thought I should have went for lumpectomy but I wanted ALL chances I could get so I could live longer, so yes I would do chemo if it gave me more chances to be HERE, I also did reconstruction but my body rejected the implanted expander caused fever etc, so I have worn a prothesis fro all these yrs and I Thank God I,m still here,18 yr SURVIVOR(Praise HIM).  msphil idc, stage 2, 3 nodes, L mast chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen.  PS give yourself all the chances you can