Stage II small amt in 1 of 3 nodes?

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Leighrh
Leighrh Member Posts: 317
edited February 2015 in Stage II Breast Cancer

just curious... Anyone stage II with minimal nodes involved not have chemo?? Tumor was bigger than thought... 2.5 cm. and 1 of 3 nodes had a small amt in it. Am I dreaming to think I can avoid chemo? Had a lumpectomy so radiation is on the agenda.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2015

    I would request an Oncotype Dx test on your tumor sample to determine how much recurrence risk you have, and how much benefit chemo would provide when added to hormonal therapy. I have seen other ER+, Her2- people with one positive node not elect chemo based on their Oncotype Dx score.

  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited February 2015

    YES. I had one positive node and opted out of chemo, and that was 5 year ago. I was an oncotype of 22.

    I guess I should say I had a possible enlarged node on my last mammo, so maybe I was wrong, but until now I have been able to live with my decision.

  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited February 2015

    I had 2 positive nodes. Chemo was an "option" but the decision was left up to me. I pressed for the oncotype test & it came back low at 4.

  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited February 2015
    I am hoping to clear my malignant node with neoadjuvant endocrine therapy, specifically Femara. It looks like that's a pretty good possibility. If we succeed, I probably will be able to safely avoid chemo.
  • aussieched
    aussieched Member Posts: 244
    edited February 2015

    I also had a positive sentinal node, however back in 2007 the oncotype test was not offered to me here in Australia. I wish it had of been, as I often wonder whether I have made the right decision.

    I was offered chemo then hormonal treatment OR have my ovaries out/or have lupron, and then hormonal treatment. The oncologist felt that the amount of benefit from the chemo would have been very minimal and thought having the ovaries out and the hormonal treatment was a better option for me.

    I opted for having my ovaries out, and am currently still on Femara for over 7 years. At this stage I am still going OK, however if I knew what my recurrence risk was, it would make it easier for me to decide whether to keep taking the hormonal treatment or stop now. I have so many problems from the 7 years of Femara, I would like to stop, but am too frightened to.

    Ched



  • Leighrh
    Leighrh Member Posts: 317
    edited February 2015

    thank you so much for the insight! I'm fairly certain they will do the oncotype test so I have that to wait on. I am hoping it comes back low. I don't know why but the thought of chemo makes this the worst case scenario for me. I am going Wed for surgery follow up and to meet with my MO and I'm sure once I have a def plan I will feel better. Just panicking right now.

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