Neoadjuvant chemo and HER2-

scaredashell07 · October 2016

my doctor is suggesting neo adjuvant chemo and I'm getting a second option that says chemo after surgery. So I'm confused of course. Went to a thrid opinion and said I could do either. Does chemo first allow docs to see if treatment is responding.

So my question is does chemo kill cancer in our bloodstream even if it's not giving a complete response for the tumor and lymph nodes? So the benefit would be to have the chemo in my body which will kill the cancer cells in blood but perhaps not the tumor!??

Katjadvm · October 2016

I had neoadjuvant chemo and then surgery. It does allow them to see if your tumor responds to chemo and is needed for some women in order to shrink the size of their primary tumor. I had complete resolution in the breast, but 1 out of 3 positive sentinel nodes. Hope this helps. I was glad I did it this way. Felt like I was doing more to take care of the cancer. take care.

Anonymous · October 2016

Hi Scared- I'm currently going through neoadjuvant chemo right now...diagnosed 8/9, started chemo 8/24. The biopsy didn't show any visible cancer in lymph node, but as we know- not all cancer cells can be detected. Mine was pretty aggressive, and I think that played a part in the decision. The Dr's I've been lucky to work with actually meet weekly as a group (surgeon, MO, RO, etc)....there's multiple Dr's from each discipline, so I felt like I was getting a 2nd opinion from the get got. I like the idea of killing anything that's potentially moving outside of the breast instead of waiting. That's been my feeling, and so far it looks like my cancer is responding to the treatment.

Kicks · October 2016

Chemo is systemic - it 'works' throughout the entire body to attack cancer cells.

Neoadjuvant chemo is used to shrink and get better margins. Some will get a 'complete response' but not all will. It has been the SOP for years for IBC but is becoming more common for other types in recent yrs. Even without a 'complete response', it does allow for less invasive surgery.

scaredashell07 · October 2016

is there way you could have a worse prognosis if the chemo doesn't kill the cancer

Kicks · October 2016

Talk to your Drs about your questions. (Write them all down so you don't forget to ask every one of them - IF you don't understand his/her answers, keep asking the same question until they phrase it in a way you do understand ). Use your smart phone to record the answers so you can review them later in the exact words the Dr used if you need clarification.). They are the ones with knowledge about your particular case and what are your best options. We (here) are NOT medical personnels who are actually seeing you with your records - we only have our experiences to go from. Each of us is so unique.

Even without a 'complete response', the chemo will be attacking the cancer cells ( anywhere in your body), shrinking the mass and getting better margins for the surgeon - thus less invasive surgery for better surgical results. Throughout neoadjuvant chemo, one is monitored and the particular chemo regime can be altered/changed IF there is no positive progress.

Some who do neoadjuvant chemo will do 2 different 'types' but It is possible to do 1 neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) and 1 adjuvant (post surgery) chemo. I did that regimen. Remember though that I am IBC, not IDC as you are. With IBC whch forms as a 'nest' or 'bands', neoadjuvant chemo is necessary (standard TX) to shrink it and get margins so the surgeon has a chance of getting 'it' out.

You might get more a swers to your questions if you posted them in either the Chemo or IDC forums I stead of Surgery.

Neoadjuvant chemo and HER2-

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