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Dandelion's avatar
Dandelion
Member
9 years ago

Do I need chemo for 1-3 nodes positive

Starting to wonder/worry should I have been offered chemo. 
I know we all have different treatment plans but just have to ask and try to put my mind at rest .
I was dx with multifocal  invasive lobular cancer . Stage 2 grade 2 estrogen positive and one lymph node positive . 
Was told chemo wouldn't work . They don't give it for 1-3 nodes !!! 
Was given the choice of radiation !!
Had a mastectomy , axillary clearance , rads , zoladex and aromasin . 
Anyone know about this ? 
Just read an artical about genomic testing to decide whether woman are likely to benefit from chemo when they have 0-3 positive lymph nodes and are ER positive.
my breast tissue is gone so to late for that but still carnt help but question shouldn't I of had chemo .
 Thanks x 

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  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    Oh just remembered...that onco dx test they usually only offer in those borderline cases of whether to give or not,  so with a ki67 less than 1% it's probably not worth the expense.
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    Well how fabulous is that Ki67 result and that you wont need chemotherapy. We all worry we aren't doing all we need but sounds like your oncologist knows exactly whats what. It is hard when you see so many women needing chemo...but there are many more that don't and are just moving on with there lives after radiotherapy. Do talk over your worries and fears with your treating team or bc nurse as they will just go through things with you again which will make you feel more relaxed. Take care. Kath x
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    9 years ago
    We all have the diagnosis called Breast Cancer. The next part is treatment which is individual. We all vary perhaps have underlying health issues as well as. Lots to be considered before deciding on treatment. Googling isn't always helpful. Do you have a breast care nurse? The go to! Take a deep breath and come into now not the what ifs! Delete some of those pages. Take care 
  • Dandelion's avatar
    Dandelion
    Member
    9 years ago
    Lucky I took s screen shot as for some annoying reson all of my post don't post
  • Dandelion's avatar
    Dandelion
    Member
    9 years ago
    Thanks ladies ,gee your amazing with your knowledge . I retrieved my paperwork path report and the ki67 <1% . That appeares extreamly low 
    I don't think there was no lymvascular invasion . The two lumps in size 2.8 & 2.4 and the one node positive . 
    Oncologist said new reports show it doesn't respond (hormones positive) that's the thing it's not one treatment fits all and Iv always worried if doctors know what they are doing . I love my facts and probably driving myself crazy with google . 
    My teen daughter questioned why have s got so many pages on my phone and why am I google chemo
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    Mine was also 1.9 cm but a Ki67 of 68% and also her2 +  ...so even though they said my surgery may have been enough, they recommended chemo and herceptin.
  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    9 years ago
    I know it's hard not to worry, but in some cases chemo doesn't offer any extra benefit. Chemo can only kill cancer when the cell is in the process of dividing. If it is growing very slowly then it won't divide in the 2 week window of a chemo cycle when the drugs are in your system - which means chemo won't kill the cell and is of little benefit. I had a very small cancer 1.9 cm but my Ki67 was 71%. (anything over 20 is considered high). I was also HER2+. Chemo was recommended for me because Herceptin which treats HER2+ works better when given with chemo and my cancer was dividing/growing so rapidly that the chemo was also certain to kill it. Everyone's cancer is different and chemo is not for everyone.
  • Glemmis's avatar
    Glemmis
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi @Dandelion, I was diagnosed stage 2b, grade 2, hormone positive, 3 positive nodes out of 12. I had mastectomy, 6 months chemo & radiation, Femara. The reason why I had aggressive treatment was because I had widespread lymphovascular invasion & KI67 was 19%. Primek is right, chemo is effective against fast growing cells. The Doctors usually work in a team & discuss each patient & the treatment that is right for them. So I am sure they made the right decision. I would have done anything to get out of chemo!