Stage 2, grade 2

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Avrenim156513
Avrenim156513 Member Posts: 47
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

I had to change from oncologist because the first one tried to enroll me in a clinical trial without telling me. After 6 weeks I finally get the tumor grade. I am only taking arimidex (4 weeks) and the new oncologist wants to see me in another two weeks to see if the tumor is shrinking and told me that there are women with my condition who just take arimidex for up to 6 months. I looked for the recommended treatment on the national cancer web site and it says it is surgery followed by treatment. I have a 3 cm tumor with no apparent node involvement. Is anyone taking arimidex only for stage 2, grade 2 cancer? Should I change oncologist again? In two weeks, it would be ten weeks since getting the abnormal mamography. Thanks.

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  • thefuzzylemon
    thefuzzylemon Member Posts: 2,630
    edited September 2012

    I've looked at a few sites as well and they talk about using Arm and surgery.  Have you asked your Oncologist about this? 

    All I have to say is GO FOR IT!  If you are not comfortable, you're belly is telling you something.  I'd totally get another opinion.  It doesn't mean you have to change ONC's yet...but I'm a firm believer in falling in love with your team. 

    So, just my two cents and a little bump for your thread.  Wink

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  • Lou10
    Lou10 Member Posts: 332
    edited September 2012

    I really know nothing about this except I've heard of women taking armidex for 8 months or even longer before surgery. I think the aim in those cases was to shrink the tumour so a lumpectomy could be performed rather than a mastectomy, but I may be wrong. I was sitting beside a woman at the cancer agency recently and she said she had a large palpable tumour that could no longer even be found after being on an aromatase inhibitor. Unfortunately she was called in before I could find out more.

    By all means get a second opinion if you don't feel comfortable. You could also ask your oncologist more about your treatment plan, including its risks and benefits, to see if that raises your comfort level. 

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  • Avrenim156513
    Avrenim156513 Member Posts: 47
    edited September 2012

    Thanks. I will look for a second opinion. My oncologist simply has not explained to me what is the reason for the recommendation or what is his plan. He gets angry if I ask and I am not part of the decisions. He is highly qualified but I feel lost and almost like a bother, except that I am the patient.

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  • Lou10
    Lou10 Member Posts: 332
    edited September 2012

    Good luck. If you don't already have copies of your onc's notes from appointments, plus your other info (mammo, pathology report, etc.), you may want to get copies to have on hand. I now get copies of everything.

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  • fhny2012
    fhny2012 Member Posts: 41
    edited September 2012

    If you don't feel like your oncologist is taking time to address your concerns and answer your questions, I think you should definitely at least get a second opinion from another oncologist.  This is such a hard process, and having faith in one's medical team really helps! 

    Good luck in finding a doctor that you feel great with (or just getting a better explanation from your current doctor) and feel well!

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