ILC taking hormone therapy & no chemo?

MamaM
MamaM Member Posts: 80
edited February 2015 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

I am wondering how many of you ladies have not had to do chemo but are taking a hormone therapy medication as your treatment? I am asking because I have to make my final treatment decision this week. I am trying to decide if I want to also do a full hysterectomy or get the shots to suppress my ovaries & switch to an Al. I would love to hear what you all did & how you are doing on the hormonal meds?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2015

    Well, I can sort of answer, in the sense that I DID have chemo and rads, but also had a hyster in order to go on an AI instead of tamox.

    There is research to support the AIs being more effective than tamox for ILC.

    Having the hyster was, uhm, interesting. The surgery itself was easy (DaVinci robot), but being deprived of estrogen so suddenly is difficult. Once your body adjusts it is fine, but that can take a good long while. Taking the AI on top of the hyster makes the whole adjustment more difficult.

    I had other reasons for choosing the hyster over the shots. But, I have a feeling it might be a good idea to start with the shots, see how you deal and go from there. The shots are reversible, the surgery is not.

    Also, whichever route you choose, taking good care of yourself can make a major difference in how you deal with the whole thing. Exercise is key to counteracting the SEs as is a healthy diet.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lola12
    lola12 Member Posts: 127
    edited February 2015

    I had 1.6 mm ILC 4 years ago and went to the two major cancer hospitals in NYC for opinions. Decided on uni- mastectomy. Oophrectomy, and Femara. My cancer was ER/PR + and her-. I also did oncotype dx and that was really my deciding factor.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Msqueen57
    Msqueen57 Member Posts: 65
    edited February 2015

    I had a double mastectomy in July 2014 due to Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. I was already post menopausal,so that wasn't an issue. I am taking hormone therapy. I saw on your profile that you are ER/PR +, and her -. It is my understanding that Hormone therapy is usually used with hormone positive cancer to suppress any remaining hormones that cause this type of cancer to grow.

    As always, the best person to speak with about this issue is your doctor. Wishing you the best as you go through this journey.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • aj103014
    aj103014 Member Posts: 12
    edited February 2015

    I had a lumpectomy in Nov, followed by radiation and tamoxifen. My MO didn't recommend chemo because of my oncotype score but 10yrs of tamoxifen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrsDarcy
    MrsDarcy Member Posts: 162
    edited February 2015

    Hi. I'm on tamoxifen. Almost 1 year down and nine to go ;).

    I had a 3.5 cm tumor, lumpectomy and 20 radiation treatments. My oncotype was 22. My MO advised against chemo but was adamant about tamox.

    :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited February 2015

    I am doing hormone therapy only even though my onco dx was 34. 3 years and ok

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sgreenarch
    sgreenarch Member Posts: 528
    edited February 2015
    Hi,
    I had an oncotype of 17 so 3 oncologists recommended no chemo. Was premenopausal at dx so took tamoxifen. Took Lupron shots for six mos for ovarian suppression but became concerned about risks of long term Lupron use so opted for oopherectomy. Stayed on tamoxifen for another year (altogether 2.5) and then switched to Femara. My mindset is that as long as an SE isn't life threatening there are ways to cope, deal. healthy living, eating right, exercise, really help in coping with SEs. Also, after a while I've found that they subside. (Either that or I've gotten used to them.) just grateful that we have good treatmt options.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jerseygirl927
    Jerseygirl927 Member Posts: 438
    edited February 2015

    I just was diagnosed after my bi-lateral mastectomy to be triple Positive, and Her 2 + ILC.. all margins are clear, lymps are clear, and clear within 2 cm of margins. I just had a total left shoulder replacement in September, and because of that, I am leaning towards not having chemo therapy.... Mostly because of infection....to the joint... and other organ damage from the chemo.... I know that no one can make up my mind, but leaning just towards, Herceptin Infusion therapy for one year, and Arimidex for however long...they say....I just want to put this out there in case I am making a wrong decision about not doing chemo... any thoughts, open to all ideas...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jerseygirl927
    Jerseygirl927 Member Posts: 438
    edited February 2015

    I have already had a hysterectomy 20 years ago, so I cannot respond to that and the estrogen menopause. I am already 63++ and other than hot flushes, and sometimes sweats, still off/on. I cant say that was really that bad. your age is a factor, but as for the hysterctomy and the possibility that cancer could be occur there? Is that what you were asking.? or more the menopause factors...


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • momand2kids
    momand2kids Member Posts: 1,508
    edited February 2015

    Hi

    I did the shots for 3 years-- and took the AI for 5--- I did not want another surgery and no one seemed to think I should take my ovaries out---- for me it was good, I found the shots to be ok--once a month at my gyn--- but was glad when I went off of them (when we thought I was probably in menopause). I like the less is more approach. I had also had 4 rounds of chemo and radiation---- feel great now!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories