What Treatment to have

I think in order for any of us to even relate our experience, we need to know a little more about your diagnosis!  Type, Stage, Receptor status!  

Maybe if you post a little more, we can give you some feedback!

Ok, I also have triple negative (my estrogen was at 2%) that's why my status shows both, during all of my initial treatment stages, I was treated as triple negative.  It was only at the end that they decided to throw in Aromasin on the "chance" of not missing anything because of the 2%!

I was Stage 2, large tumor, clear margins and no node involvement also grade 3!  Therefore I was told chemo and radiation by 3 different opinions!  But if your only stage 0 or 1, maybe that is why they are saying that chemo won't change your odds by much!  I took 4 rounds of Adriamycin/cytoxan followed by 12 weekly treatments of taxol, followed by 6 1/2 weeks of radiation!

Like I said, look at the Triple negative forum, if you are sure you are also negative for the HER2, read the DX and treatment lines and find some similar to you and see what road they went down.  May make it more comfortable for you to talk to your doctor about treatments!

Feel free to message me or ask any questions!

I was told they do not do Oncotype for triple negative!

Chemo is suggested if the tumor was high grade and/or stage!  and if you are true triple negative, that usually gets chemo unless it is Stage 1 or 0.  At least this is what I have been told!  I was also told that there is the possibility of micro cells that could have escaped into my system that were not caught with the surgery!  

Ladyness - As a fellow triple negative cancer survivor, I can tell you that I've always heard that chemo is usually the normal protocal for TNBC.  You're very fortunate that it was such a small tumor as it is a vey fast growing cancer.  If your onocologist is recommending chemo, I would think long and hard about it before declining.  Maybe get another opinion or two to help you with the decision.  I know the % makes it look like it's not worth it, but if it comes back, you will probably wish you had done it.  Chemo, for the most part, is very doable.  But I understand your feelings.  It was what I was the most scared about, but my tumor was much larger and involved some nodes so I didn't have any choice.  I worked all through chemo (other than chemo day and the day after).  Losing my hair was probably what I was most scared about.  But even that was doable.  My hair is back to normal completely.  I know, easy for me to say because that was 3 years ago.  I wish you the best on your journey and don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have along the way.

Hugs,

Kathy

ladyness - yes cancer cells travels...but only stem cells can potentially met to other organs. and even so not all stem cells can "stick" to the organs. that's what i've been reading. just want to ease your mind a little.....