Weighing the Decision on TC Chemo After Lumpectomy

Rebecca, get a second opinion asap! A 5cm tumor is nothing to fool with and you have an issue with one of your removed nodes? You will not regret being aggressive against your cancer. Now is the time fight! Prayers being said for you 🩷

My tumor was 16 centimeters (that’s right) micro and macromets in two nodes for a total of 5/8 positive-they are throwing everything and the kitchen sink at me. Last of four TC on Dec 31. Chemo is hard but it’s not unbearable-the alternative is obviously worse- I am perimenopausal Hormone positive HERS negative The meds they give you pre infusion (dexamethasone and Aloxi for long acting nausea control) and after are amazingly effective. Get your second opinion-but do the chemo. You can do it.

Lori, prayers being said for you! Thank you for sharing! We are strong! 💪 Happy you are done with chemo!

Thank you for the encouragement.

Hi, Rebecca, I think having the oncotype or mammaprint results would be very helpful in deciding if chemo should be part of your treatment since the oncotype score will advise you of the risk of recurrence and how beneficial chemo would be.

They refused to do mammaprint because of the size of my tumor.

Rebecca, please don’t settle for that. You MUST advocate for yourself! Get a second opinion. Not sure why the are refusing the mammaprint and Oncotype. They can tell so much and help lay out a plan that’s best suited for your body and situation. Be your own advocate! Prayers!

I received an Oncotype that my insurance thankfully covered. My oncologist strongly encouraged it, especially since I have a daughter and granddaughter. I have been trying to pass on all the info I can. She is very health minded and with cancer history on my side, she wants all the info possible. Push for the test. You have a right to know.

Oncotype?

Based on my research, Oncotype and Mammaprint are only validated for breast cancer with tumors less than 5 cm (and some other characteristics). I was diagnosed with lobular ER+ HER-2- breast cancer in June. My Oncotype was a 19, and there was no guarantee that chemo would help; however, my oncologist suggested that I do 4 rounds of TC anyway. I did 4 rounds of TC. They weren’t fun, but they weren’t horrible either. I am so glad I did chemo because there were changes to the tumor and the lymph nodes because of the chemo.

Thank you for sharing this challenging decision with the community. Making treatment choices while navigating complex medical situations and past healthcare experiences can feel overwhelming. It sounds like you're working through many important factors as you weigh your options. Many patients in similar situations find it helpful to connect with others who have faced comparable decisions - this community can be a valuable resource for hearing different perspectives and experiences that might help inform your own path forward.