Need for Chemo?

avelino1
avelino1 Member Posts: 7
edited October 2015 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I was just diagnosed triple negative in September; things moved very quick. Got in to the see oncologist the day following diagnosis, then saw the surgeon less than 1 week later and had double mastectomy the following day. Head spinning from everything! Oncologist says that he is classifying my particular case as stage II since the lump in my left breast was 2cm. Lump on the right side was 1cm.

I'm a former cancer survivor; had Hodgkins (with radiation therapy only) almost 30 years ago and thyroid cancer in 2009 (with total surgical removal only).

Oncologist is recommending 2 rounds of chemotherapy; don't have the full plan yet, but he says the first round will be one treatment every two to 3 weeks for four rounds. This go round he says that I'll be able to still work my job. However then is recommending a small break and then a 12 week regimen (1 treatment per week) that he says I will not be able to perform any work duties during that time.

I just had a PET scan this week, which the oncologist doesn't see any problem areas and when I had the mastectomy, the lymph nodes were clear. Final pathology reports not back on everything yet, but so far everything looks clear.

So my question to anyone else out there with a triple negative diagnosis and supposedly clear pathology reports, why the need for such an aggressive chemotherapy treatment plan? I'm working on second opinion to discuss options, but looking to connect with anyone who may have had similar experience as mine.

Thanks much!


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Comments

  • Jenwith4kids
    Jenwith4kids Member Posts: 635
    edited October 2015

    I think the aggressive chemo is because you are triple negative. I also had a four treatment, every other week and then a 12 week once a week plan. The first ws AC, the second Taxol. This is a very common regimen. I'm not sure why your doc said no work during taxol. I found that easier than AC... but everyone is different.

    Good luck!

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  • CinderellaNC
    CinderellaNC Member Posts: 36
    edited October 2015

    Hi Avelino, I agree with the lady who posted the other reply to you. A lot of ladies with triple negative are given this course of chemo that you mention. I was advised to take a twelve week course of TC. This is Cytoxan and taxotere infused every three weeks over the course of twelve weeks so it is a less grueling regimen than the AC and then Taxol. I have always heard that the Adriamycin is the harshest drug so I would guess like the other person who posted that that part of your regimen would be more difficult than the taxol but I don't speak from experience. I will say that I just had my last course of TC on Friday and knock on wood the chemotherapy part of my cancer treatment has been considerably easier than I expected. I have had no nausea not a great deal of fatigue, still go to the gym every day . I do have some slow days about four or five days after my treatment some headaches, stiff neck, a little achy , some issues with constipation, and my sense of taste is not good for a week or more but that clears up.I can't complain, though because it has all been manageable. I had ILC and the tumor was smaller than 1 centimeter, no nodes involved and grade two. Your situation sounds very good but wait for your entire pathology report. I am sure your oncologists will want your complete pathology report before settling on your final course of treatment. At first my oncologist was leaning towards the AC followed by Taxol but then switched me to the TC regimen after seeing my complete pathology report. She also had the tumor board review the report and they were in unanimous agreement in favoring the TC course for my case. You should get your second opinion and do as much research as you feel you need to so you can be comfortable with what ever decision you make. It is important for you to be at peace with what you decide so you don't second guess yourself down the road. Some women are most comfortable with treating their triple negative tumors as aggressively as possible. I have never second guessed my decision to go with the less aggressive chemo course. I am electing to have a bilateral mastectomy , however, instead of the recommended course of radiation after the chemo. I know for my own peace of mind this is the best decision for me in the long run. I want to cut down on my chances of cancer recurring in my right breast or popping up in the left breast as much as possible. It is all about making the best decisions you can for yourself. It sounds as if you have been down this road with cancer before so you are a warrior and an experienced one . That is going to stand you in good stead in this fight. You will do well with whatever decision you end up making so best of luck and keep us posted on how you are doing. People on these discussion boards have been great and helpful and informative and supportive!

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  • avelino1
    avelino1 Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2015

    Thank you so much for the reply! Appreciate you insight. Hope you are doing well.

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  • avelino1
    avelino1 Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2015

    thanks so much for your reply! The part I am trying to wrap my head around is that when I had Hodgkin's, there was a large mass and the goal of radiation was to shrink the mass and destroy it.

    Now with the breast cancer, I had 2 small tumors, which were removed surgically and following tests to this point show clear. What is the goal of the chemo- as a precautionary measure just in case there are some rogue cancer cells floating around undetected?

    Seems like there should be a way to monitor for recurrence instead of going through this aggressive regimen on the chance that there might or might not be something there.

    Thanks!!


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