Chemo not working, going to surgery. Can I do more chemo after?

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rgkkw1221
rgkkw1221 Member Posts: 3
edited May 2018 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi all,

First post here after reading for months. I'm stage IIB, <3cm, another spot <3mm, 1 positive node, ER+/PR-/HER-, KI67 =78%. I started AC/T chemo in January, did four rounds of AC every three weeks, then was scheduled for 12 weekly Taxol infusions. The largest tumor seemed to be shrinking based on palpated exam over the course of the 12 week AC infusions. Then by week 3 of Taxol it seemed to be larger. Completed week 4 Taxol, doc ordered an ultrasound, and the tumor is indeed larger, going from 2.5cm to 2.6cm. However, the smaller tumor shrank from 3mm to 1mm, and the spot in the lymph node is no longer visible on the ultrasound (although of course there may be cells still present).

The oncologist recommended stopping chemo and going straight to surgery, and I meet with the surgeon Tuesday. However oncologist also said that if there are any cancer cells at all in the lymph nodes I'll definitely need radiation after surgery.

I'm trying to avoid radiation since this is my left breast and I'm worried about heart damage. My family has no cancer whatsoever but heart disease is rampant. I'm 47, am relatively healthy except for high blood pressure, and am awaiting cardio appointment to see if any damage to the heart was done by the doxorubicin.

My question is, has anyone ever heard of doing chemo again once the "most aggressive" chemo has failed? What options do I have other than radiation if any of the nodes are found to be positive in surgery?



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  • Trishyla
    Trishyla Member Posts: 1,005
    edited May 2018

    Yes. I had residual disease, and a micrometatesis in one node, so I did eight rounds of Xeloda after my surgery.I kinda felt like it was an insurance policy, since I also refused radiation.

    God luck.

    Trish

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited May 2018

    Can you try an aromatese inhibitor? You are er+, it may work where chemo is failing.

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  • buttonsmachine
    buttonsmachine Member Posts: 930
    edited May 2018

    I too did Xeloda after surgery. Long story, but my cancer grew on both TC and AC, so I had another surgery, and went on to Xeloda and radiation.

    I was also very afraid of radiation initally, but I've done it twice now, and in my experience it was more tolerable than chemo or or hormone meds. Don't automatically rule it out - it might help you and be easier than you think. Of course it's your decision and we support you either way - I'm just offering a "positive" radiation experience. Best wishes to you.


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  • rgkkw1221
    rgkkw1221 Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2018

    Thanks everyone for your responses. The information on Xeloda was helpful; this is really what I've been looking for, is a drug that is used when AC/T doesn't work.

    Meow13, I'll ask about the aromatase inhibitor. Can't hurt to ask, right?

    I'm trying really hard to avoid radiation because heart disease is so rampant and hereditary in my family. I'll do it if the risks outweigh the benefits, but I'm really really hesitant for that reason (cancer is in the left breast). Otherwise the potential side effects or other unpleasantness isn't really a concern. I'm trying to do the most aggressive and successful treatments available.

    Thanks everyone.

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  • VVV
    VVV Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2018

    I also have left sided and the place I'm going to go (only have had the initial meeting so far) does what's called deep inspiration breath hold. He said not every place does it but I don't think it's too uncommon. You might already know about it but wanted to make sure in case you didn't (not trying to convince you any particular way). This is just a random link that had a photo in it because seeing the photo helped me to understand it better:

    https://www.petermac.org/services/treatment/radiat...

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  • rgkkw1221
    rgkkw1221 Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2018

    Thanks that's good to know about JVP! I hadn't heard of it so this is good information. Thanks again!

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