Dilemma of delaying radiation and hormone treatment

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Rubyroo
Rubyroo Member Posts: 38
edited June 2017 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi everyone. I got my path report from my lumpectomy yesterday. My tumour is multifocal, but I am at stage 1, grade 2. They removed four lumps in total (only three lumps were anticipated so I found this disconcerting) and a 4 cm area of DCIS, but all 5 lymph nodes are clear. I am 31 and was diagnosed a month ago with IDC. I am 19 weeks pregnant so I am told I can't get rads or hormone therapies until after I deliver. However, I have come across certain articles that mention rads as being a possibility later in pregnancy if the fetus is properly shielded - has anyone heard of this?

The surgeon said a committee of surgeons/oncologists reviewed my case and couldn't decide whether to recommend chemo to me based on the pathology report and said it would likely be my decision. I'm waiting to talk to my oncologist on Thursday, but in the meantime I am wondering if anyone had delayed radiation and hormone therapy, approximately 5 months after surgery? I am hoping my oncologist will order an Oncotype test for more clarification but am not sure how common that is here.

I don't want to opt for chemo if the benefits don't outweigh the adverse effects, but I feel nervous about not having any further treatments until after I am due at the end of October.

Hoping for any insights at all - I fear I have a very difficult decision ahead of me. I don't want to get chemo if the benefits don't outweigh the side effects and I am hopeful to enjoy the rest of this pregnancy this summer without undergoing chemo, but I don't want to risk my life...

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited June 2017

    Welcome, Rubyroo. I see you have not had any other replies from ladies who may be able to help in your situation. I don't have any experience of cancer while pregnant.

    What country are you in? I am in Australia and, in my experience, if you want Oncotype or similar testing you have to pay for it, which for Oncotype is about $4,000.

    Have you confirmed that you can't take Tamoxifen while pregnant? I'm not sure what impact the multifocal nature of your cancer will have on treatment recommendations.

    I'm hoping you will get expert advice from your oncologist and obstetrician, also that you get other replies here soon.

    This site is very informative and authoritative so you don't need to keep searching the entire web looking for information.

    Wishing you the best outcome.

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  • HoneyBadger47
    HoneyBadger47 Member Posts: 98
    edited June 2017

    Hi Rubyroo,

    I agree with Racy. This site will be a great place for you to get advice. Maybe you should start a new thread with the topic more specific to pregnancy and cancer - something like calling all women diagnosed while pregnant?

    I know there are ladies on here. I recall reading at least one post from a gal who mentioned chemo while pregnant and her very healthy baby boy.

    I don't remember her name. If I find it for you, I will PM you.

    Hugs to you. I hope you get some expert advice and support here

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited June 2017

    Can anyone help this poster?

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited June 2017

    bumping to get some help for this poster

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    Racy - RubyRoo has asked the same question on at least two other sites. People are answering here there.

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  • Rubyroo
    Rubyroo Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2017

    Thanks for the replies so far. Still hoping for anyone with experience in delaying treatment, either due to pregnancy or otherwise

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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited June 2017

    I know of someone who was pregnant and went thru chemo. Then they stopped it so she could have a break and have a baby. She has a beautiful baby boy, healthy and adorable. In one month she will resume. I know she is on this site, but she is also part of a private FB page we are in.

    I had surgery LMX in Dec. lots of insurance issues and MO issues, she started me on Hormone Therapy in Feb. I am now going thru radiation after changing MO. So I was 5 months out of sx. Since Radiation is localized, I was worried when they had me stop the Hormone Therapy as this is my only treatment. (I am older 62)

    Hopefully you can find ladies who are in your situation to talk with. Good Luck

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    ruby - I went to a 'survivorship' luncheon yesterday for National Cancer Day. They passed out a flyer that had lots of contacts for various cancers, caregivers, general stuff. One of the links was about pregnant women with cancer. I have no idea is this is a useful site, or even if it's reputable, but I tend to think the later is true since it was published by a survivor's network. Anyway...maybe you'll want to give it a look.

    Hope for Two:The Pregnant with Cancer Network. 800-743-4471 PregnantWithCancer.org


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  • Rubyroo
    Rubyroo Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2017

    Thanks so much for sharing. Goincrzy8 - I am sorry to hear you had to delay rads due to insurance issues. Did your new MO discuss any consequences of having the delay? It really seems like delaying rads is not very common and I am having such a hard time finding any concrete information on the increased risk this may cause. I know it must depend on the grade (I am grade 2) but wish there was a measure.

    Minustwo - yes, I have a support person through Hope For Two. I have found it helpful to talk someone else who is pregnant, but it really seems like everyone I have come across has had chemo during pregnancy and has not had the option to skip chemo. Not sure if I should feel lucky or if I should be questioning my MO more.

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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited June 2017

    Ruby I had 12 positive nodes, and the surgeon did not get clean margins. He has been having a fit because I didnt have chemo or rads. Because my first MO didnt do anything, when I went to the new MO he wanted to wait because in all this nonsense they found a mass on the kidney and I needed kidney removed. So MO said take care of the kidney, then we will see what is next. When I had my appointment with him he sent me down to the RO and they got me started that next day. So I have not had a normal flow of treatment. Because they put me on hormone therapy I have to hope it was busy killing cancer cells, and now I have the extra protection of Rads to kill of the floaters in breast and under arm.

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited June 2017

    http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/fert_preg_adopt/bc_pregnancy/treatment

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited June 2017

    I started RADs 4months after surgery, 5+ months after diagnosis. Not because of pregnancy. I was indecisive & wanted additional opinions. Chemo was offered to me but not strongly recommended. My cancer is not considered very aggressive. If I was to do chemo, it was to be done before RADs. Tamoxifen(antihormonal) comes last. I ended up opting out of chemo, but that decision was hard for me. After I finished RADs, I had to wait over a month to see the MO, so I could get the Tamoxifen Rx. I felt like I was on a very slow train.

    Wishing you well with both pregnancy & treatment.

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  • Rubyroo
    Rubyroo Member Posts: 38
    edited June 2017

    Thanks for your input coraleliz ! I see that you're 6 years out now and am assuming all went well despite the delay in your rads treatment?

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