Recent mastectomy with aesthetic closure, one mini slash micro metastasis in one lymph node, hormone positive at 90% and no chemo? Only a 2% chance of it adding anything to my 10 year rates? I keep reading everyone has chemo with lymph node involvement… just a wee bit concerned I’ve made the right choice? Thankyou.

If you have any doubts, seek a second opinion but bear in mind it’s a qualified, experienced opinion, not gospel. Every medical practitioner relies on both training and experience and neither will be exactly the same. I had a mastectomy with one clearly malignant lymph node, my cancer was also hormone positive. My surgeon said maybe no chemo but that’s up to your oncologist. My oncologist (and yes, the two work together a lot) was in no doubt about recommending chemo (6 months). My choice, of course, and very few treatments are identical, but like @arpie, the ‘small percentage’ of benefit does matter depending on what side of the ledger you are on! A second opinion may settle your uncertainties. Best wishes.

SO sorry to see you here, @confetti ..... Hmmm, To be honest, I think maybe you maybe could ask for a 2nd opinion ....I know that if it was me, even ONE 'positive' would be 'one too many' for me ..... unless they can back up their decision not to have chemo with proven data ..... Your profile is 'private', so we are unable to message you 'privately' .... You may like to reconsider this xxtake care & all the best for your ongoing treatment xx

We have lots of members in Canberra ....@lrb_03 is one ... For peace of mind I, personally, would get a 2nd Onc opinion as your BC was invasive. Are you Her2- as well as Est/PR+? take care xx

Hi COnfetti I hope all went well - I was diagnosed last Dec and had a similar dilemma with stage II Early invasive breast cancer which was HER negative and PR and ER positive. I had a lumpectomy and one sentinel node removed which had about 7 micro metastasis which were all encapsulated . The tumour was a bit bigger than expected but margins were clear. After being told initially by the surgeon I would only need radiation and hormone blockers there was then some discussion at the multi disciplinary team meeting about chemo. It took 5 weeks to get an appointment with my onc ( this was good i was told as it possibly meant I wasn't considered a super high risk). FInally got there and he said on reflection he didn't think it would add much, about3% to my overall 10 year survival chances. I came away confused as I had done quite a lot of research from good medical and scientific websites and it seemed that when nodes were involved chemo was the go.I managed to see another onc - and he mentioned the Endo- predict test which is a genomic test and gives a clear score on high or low risk. It is also a lot cheaper than Oncotype but still expensive, about $3000 but I figured peace of mind was worth that,To everyone's surprise I came back as high risk - only just over the marker of 3.4 but i was 3.8 and therefore at higher risk than my onc thought. We agreed I would try chemo as i really wanted to reduce my risk of recurrence and see how it went. I had three treatments and then had a pulmonary embolism ( not fun) and so we agreed to cease chemo, which can be the cause of embolisms. I then had radiation therapy and am now on letrozole hormone blocker. I am still not sure the chemo was a great idea actually as even though I was " high risk" it was still pretty low on the graph and I now think that there is a lot they don't know about the long term effects of chemo on the body and mind in terms of cognition and possible accelerated ageing. So if you didn't have it I wouldn't fret as it may have been of minimal use for you. I do think that blocking the Estrogen is the key to preventing the recurrence of this type of cancer plus staying as healthy as possible. I am trying to lose weight as I am about 20 kg more than I should be and this will not only make me feel better and stay healthy it has been shown to be another factor in reducing a risk of cancer. I also encourage you to have a positive mindset and put your focus on living your life to the full. There have been studies that show that this can also help to keep us well.

Thankyou @arpie i think I’ve been able to change my profile, unsure.the reasoning was only her2 and triple negative BC really needs chemo and stage 2 hormone positive benefits hormone treatment. I’m pretty sure I’m the only person I’ve heard of or read about with even small node involvement not having chemo. My surgery was over four weeks ago.

chemo or no with micro metastasis

arpie
Member
2 years ago
We have lots of members in Canberra ....@lrb_03 is one ...

For peace of mind I, personally, would get a 2nd Onc opinion as your BC was invasive.

Are you Her2- as well as Est/PR+?

take care xx
Confetti
Member
2 years ago
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, grade 2, 2.1 mm tumor, Mastectomy with lymph node biopsy. Biopsy found micro metastasis in lymph node. Not sure on rads until next weeks appointment, currently starting zoladex and Aromasin? My Ki67 was under 10 I believe. ACT currently, sadly I think my window is pretty much in the days category.
arpie
Member
2 years ago
What was your pathology result @Confetti? Which type of cancer was it? Was it invasive or not? What Stage/grade?

What is your 'general' area, Town/state? If you are in a larger town/city, there should be quite a few Oncs that you can choose from, less so if you are in regional/rural areas .... (You can add your town in your profile) and members may be able to message you (well done on making that available!) with Oncs in your area that they are happy with ....

I changed my Onc very early in the piece, as he was not at all supportive of me or listening to my concerns ... I am VERY happy with my 2nd Onc & have been with her for 5 years now.

take care xx
Afraser
Member
2 years ago
If you have any doubts, seek a second opinion but bear in mind it’s a qualified, experienced opinion, not gospel. Every medical practitioner relies on both training and experience and neither will be exactly the same. I had a mastectomy with one clearly malignant lymph node, my cancer was also hormone positive. My surgeon said maybe no chemo but that’s up to your oncologist. My oncologist (and yes, the two work together a lot) was in no doubt about recommending chemo (6 months). My choice, of course, and very few treatments are identical, but like @arpie, the ‘small percentage’ of benefit does matter depending on what side of the ledger you are on! A second opinion may settle your uncertainties. Best wishes.
Confetti
Member
2 years ago
Oncologist
iserbrown
Member
2 years ago
Is the advice from the Breast Surgeon or Oncologist?
Confetti
Member
2 years ago
Thankyou @arpie i think I’ve been able to change my profile, unsure.
the reasoning was only her2 and triple negative BC really needs chemo and stage 2 hormone positive benefits hormone treatment. I’m pretty sure I’m the only person I’ve heard of or read about with even small node involvement not having chemo. My surgery was over four weeks ago.
arpie
Member
2 years ago
SO sorry to see you here, @confetti ..... Hmmm, To be honest, I think maybe you maybe could ask for a 2nd opinion ....I know that if it was me, even ONE 'positive' would be 'one too many' for me ..... unless they can back up their decision not to have chemo with proven data .....

Your profile is 'private', so we are unable to message you 'privately' .... You may like to reconsider this xx

take care & all the best for your ongoing treatment xx

Forum Discussion

chemo or no with micro metastasis

Related Content

Post chemo

Life - is it metastasis or not

chemo or no chemo

Chemo side affects

Chemo

Recent Discussions

Triple Positive HER2+

Alone in Melbourne newly diagnosed

Here we go again...

Newly Diagnosed with an early stage right breast cancer. Need your support and experience please

Newly diagnosed

Disclaimer:

Foundation partner	Major partners