Chemo before because of Lymph nodes

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Aussie275
Aussie275 Member Posts: 39
edited September 2017 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hi everyone just wanting to ask as I have learnt in the last week the choice to do chemo first is sometimes ours to make which is hard for me. The cancer is positive in my lymph nodes so should I go in & attack it or should I wait for surgery? Surgery could still be three weeks away.Such a hard question for me & others too I am guessing. I am anxious about the time & the great unknowns. By the way I have learnt so much already from these forums - thank you.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited August 2017

    Neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) Chemo has long been the Standard for IBC. It is becoming more common to be done with other types of BCs.

    The object of doing neoadjuvant Chemo is to get the shrink the 'lump', get good margins for surgery. For some, there will be a 'complete pathological response' in that at surgery there will be no known cancer cells present.

    In today's world, it has been learned that often the best prognosis is not always surgery first.

    The best one to talk to is you Chemo Dr (MO) as to rather or not neoadjuvant Chemo would be recommended. Your Team (Surgeon, chemo Dr and Rads Dr) should have presented your info to the Tumor Board at your Facility for recommendations on TX plan.

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited August 2017

    Doctors may have different opinions about this situation. I had two different opinions. After I did some research myself, I went with the doctor from Dana Farber who wanted to shrink my lymph nodes prior to surgery. I have extensive involvement.

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  • Aussie275
    Aussie275 Member Posts: 39
    edited September 2017

    Hi and thank you sorry I have been crazy with all of this and kids activities school, work etc. I am starting chemo next week, yes of course I am worried & apprehensive but I guess I need to trust my drs and get this beast under control.

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