Hormonal therapy Estrogen Positive/Progesterone negative

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited February 2019 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
Hormonal therapy Estrogen Positive/Progesterone negative
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  • everetta
    everetta Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2019

    Some people have said that with progesterone negative that hormonal therapy won't be helpful. Does anyone know if this is accurate. I think it is less effective but my doctor said only slightly and are there particular hormonal therapies that are most effective for those of us that are PR-.

    Also are there particular therapies that are more effective for lobular cancers (not ductal). I have heard that chemo is less effective for lobular so I am thinking of skipping chemo but want to make sure that I get the maximum benefit from hormonal therapies to compensate. Also what about the bone infusions--are those helpful and for whom?

    I welcome any information or advice others have heard.

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  • Murfy
    Murfy Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2019

    Hi Everetta: The aim of hormone therapies is to block estrogen production or action, as it is the estrogen that helps to feed the cancer in those of us who were ER+. If you tested positive for ER, anti-hormone therapy will likely be recommended; pre-menopausal women usually take tamoxifen and post-menopausal will take an aromatase inhibitor. The AIs all appear to be comparable in action. There is research that suggests that some women who are PR- might be less responsive to estrogen inhibition drugs, particularly if they are luminal B, a more aggressive subtype. This is yet another reason why I chose to take chemo.

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  • everetta
    everetta Member Posts: 71
    edited February 2019

    Thank you Murfy. My oncotype done twice was 27and 31 more in the grey area, or no chemo recommended area. My pathology is similar to yours although I just had a lumpectomy and radiation. I think I am Stage 1b but not sure if it is stage 1a (what is the difference?) also what makes a tumor luminal A or B? I don't know which I am (I thought HER2 + made it luminal B but maybe PR- also does that).

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