Neoadjuvant TCHP, pCR and HER2/neu

I was 39 when diagnosed in early March 2016. Not sure of my Her2 status, other than I'm positive, but my ER is 95%, my PR is 12%, and my 2.2 cm tumor was grade 3, stage IIa. Ki67 score was around 32% (or close to that). I felt a noticeable reduction after the first round of TCHP and the follow-up MRI after three rounds showed a 70% reduction. My lumpectomy after 6 rounds showed a PCR. I'm still doing radiation and Tamoxifen, however.

The initial diagnosis of the tumor found in my right breast was Stage 2, ER+PR-Her2+. The tumor was 4.5 cm. I started with Herceptin and Perjeta only but the treatment didn't shrink the tumor the way my oncologist wanted it to be. So Carboplatin and Taxotere were added to my treatment. I completed neoadjuvant on September 8 and had my bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction on October 20. I received my pathology report today and I had a pCR! Lymph nodes and margins were negative. The chemo obliterated invasive cancer cells and left 1 mm DCIS which they removed. I was thinking that I will be undergoing radiation due to the size of the tumor at the onset of the treatment but the radiologist said that I don't need it. I hope that I will not regret this later on. I will be continuing Herceptin for a year. Right now, I am just so happy with the result.

Thank you so much, Stephincana. I wish you well.

Hello ChinookMom,

I was skeptical at first with the effectiveness of the neoadjuvant TCHP regimen because the imaging results taken after my chemo showed that the tumor didn't shrink at all. In fact, I was very disappointed. I wasn't really looking forward to my surgery. Thus, you can just imagine the happiness (which is an understatement) I felt when my health provider informed me that I had a pCR. Up to now, the result has not sunk in yet and I still feel apprehensive due to recurrence or even metastasis. But I told myself to just enjoy the peace that the moment gives and move forward with my second life and deal with recurrence or metastasis when it comes. The rationale of my radiologist for not giving me radiation is because the invasive cancer cells are gone, the two lymph nodes they took out tested negative, margins from the tissue were clear, and they took out the remaining noninvasive cancer cells which measured 1 mm. I didn't know that one's status as pre or postmenopausal is a factor in radiation until you told me. I had preventive TAB hysterectomy two years ago which made me undergo surgical menopause. How did you feel after you finished treatment and how fast did your hair grow back? My hair is starting to grow back and my hair shaft measures about 4 mm.