Neoadjuvant TCHP - Post Results Here

Jacquie--whew!! Great news for sure! How long do you have to make your decision?

6 rounds of TCHP, continue with Herceptin for 1 yer,

Congratulations on your good report KMAS61!  You have been through a lot.  I hope that you are recovering quickly from your surgery.

Jacquie

I hope you're doing well with chemo and you have VERY little SE's Lorie.  It will be done before you know it, and then I hope you feel confident about whatever decisions that you have to make.

Jacquie

Kmas61

Congrats! What a lot you have been through!!! You came through the storm!!! PCR!! So happy for you !!

Ladyduffer. So glad that darn thing is benign!! If you get lumpectomy you get Rads too? No Rads with MX ? I am getting MX right.

Patty

I had IDC and am having rads after my MX.

Edited to add that I did have one positive lymph node as well.

Is there anyone that had lymph nodes with the cancer when diagnosed, had a complete response to the neoadjuvant therapy, and did not have lymph nodes removed

I had one lymph node show positive on an initial PET scan. My surgeon removed it and one other, and neither had any cancer. So I had a complete response to the neoadjuvant chemo but did still have two nodes removed.

agness, CassieCat-- Great to hear that the chemo got rid of the cancer in your nodes! That's wonderful!

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There hasn't been any sign of anything in my nodes, but without a SNB with the neoadjuvent chemo... and the thought that there can be microscopic cancer spread without nodes getting lit and showing on scans, it's reassuring to think that the chemo might be getting rid of any chance of that, too!

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I had a breast MRI during my third of six chemo treatments, a week or so ago. I was just late in getting one, so my MO just checked to see if there was only sign of the one tumor/lesion I had found...

But he didn't say anything about whether it looked like my tumor was shrinking after 3 chemos... Can they tell size differences from one Breast MRI? How DO they tell such things? Another ultrasound? Were you all checked during the treatment--or just at the end of the chemo--or at all!-- for how much the tumor was shrinking??? Or did you just go right to surgery and find out then?

And does everyone get a SNB? And should they?

I have yet to talk to a surgeon, although my MO mentioned setting me up for that when I recently got my 4th chemo...

I had an ultrasound the same day I had the mammogram (after I found the lump). I also had a CT scan. The size of the tumor in the ultrasound is what they seem to be using as my base, though the CT scan results note the lump as being smaller. I have been meaning to ask the MO about that. I assume I will have an MRI at some point. I certainly want one.

I was never checked for tumor shrinkage (shrunk from 8.4cm on MRI to 6.5cm after surgery) while getting TCHP even though I asked.  I was told it wouldn't change my treatment plan.  I found out after surgery that my tumor had shrunk but because it was mucinous, it didn't shrink like a normal tumor.  I envision mine like a giant pond with lots of debris(cancer cells) before surgery and after treatment, a smaller pond with a couple pieces of scattered debris ("few viable cancer cells") on opposite ends of the pond so the measurement is still big.  I had manual exams but my MO couldn't tell if it was shrinking or not because of my dense breasts. 

Thanks for talking about your different experiences with tests and tumor shrinkage, everyone!

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Well... I asked my MO about whether he will check to see if my tumor is shrinking.

He said he doesn't do that. He said that is all up to the surgeon, since he has to deal with the tumor and its size.

Hmmmm! Sort of makes sense... but you'd think they'd want to see if the treatment was working... even if it wouldn't really change the treatment (although you'd think it would change the treatment if it wasn't working!!!???)

Anyway... I'm seeing a surgeon next week. Maybe I'll find out more then!

Hi All,

I finished #3 TCHP Feb 23. My MO ordered an US for next week to check tumor shrinkage. She made it sound like it was standard treatment. I am praying and hoping it has shrunk and I can have surgery after #4. My SNB was negative. Have you ever called to talk to the Dr (M0) and was told that you can pretty much just only talk to the nurses? I guess the can only talk to you at your appt.

Patty

Wow PMR53!  My MO said I can email him at anytime.  He actually prefers email.  He has always been quick to respond to me and if it's a detailed response, he will pick up the phone and call me.  It's amazing how much they all differ.  I liked my MO the first time I met him.  He seems so laid back and he is big on telling his patients to live life as normal as possible.

April - My MO and breast surgeon sat on comprehensive tumor boards every week even though they aren't at the same institution. I think either doc could have brought my case before the boards. My BS wanted another MRI before surgery to see how much the tumor has shrunk. And since it only went from 5.5 to 4.5, the board decided I'd need another round of different chemo even it the BS could get everything out. And based on the fact it wasn't a PcR, they all agreed I'd need rads too. I'm a big fan of testing along the way.