Does Grade 3 tumour always mean chemo?
I am 43 and newly diagnosed node positive ER/PR+ HER2- 21mm tumour Grade 3. Having lumpectomy and axilla lymph node surgery this week. My surgeon has confirmed radiation and the nurses have talked about hormone treatment (Tamoxifen). But every time I mention chemotherapy everyone goes silent and won’t say whether it’s likely or not… it’s driving me nuts. They say I need to wait for pathology after surgery etc, but then I know I have very limited time to be organised ahead of chemo if it’s required. I have long curly hair which is a key part of my identity so I am trying to be practical and look at how to manage the hair loss - especially for my children. I am thinking of getting my hair cut shorter first (soon) so that it’s better for cold capping if that is an option. Being Xmas period it’s impossible to get into my hairdresser so I need ti be organised. So my question is whether anyone my age has not been given chemotherapy for a Grade 3 type tumour. Any feedback welcome. Thanks!Zoladex immediately after IVF
Hi ladies, I was wondering if anyone has had their Zoladex injection straight after an IVF cycle? My lymph nodes were clear so I don’t need chemo, but my oncologist wants to put me on Zoladex & Aromasin for 5 years, (with a break after 2y to have children - I’ll be 38/39). I am almost through an IVF round to freeze my eggs & was wondering if it’s healthy or safe for your ovaries to be hyper stimulated & then shutdown immediately afterwards. Or is it better to wait a few days/week for them to return to normal before starting Zoladex? None of my specialists seem to be communicating with each other, so I’m finding it difficult to know the urgency or safety around the issue. I don’t want to damage my fertility for the future, or increase my recurrence chances.. Would really appreciate any advice! *** A bit of background on my cancer: I’m 36 & I have Hormone positive (80%), HER2 negative breast cancer, ki67 16% (3 tumours in the right breast). I had a single nipple & skin sparing mastectomy with an expander (in preparation for radiotherapy), 10.5weeks ago. My breast surgeon got clear boarders and tested 4 lymphnodes which were also clear, so seemed to think I would need no further treatment, (which I found unusual for early bc). My surgeon then took 3 weeks to seek a multidisciplinary meeting with an oncologist & radiation oncologist, after which she said I’d need endocrine therapy to be safe, but no longer need radiotherapy. It took 8 weeks after surgery to get an oncologist appointment - and now I am starting IVF, then endocrine therapy next week. It’s been very difficult waiting around, without being given much information. (Perhaps I’ll post another question, asking if such slow, conservative aftercare is normal!)
Newbie alert! First round of A/C complete - a few questions
Hi, Newbie here. Diagnosed on New Years Eve with a Grade 3, triple-negative DCIS in my left breast and axilla lymph nodes. Bit of a journey ahead - A/C, Taxol, mastectomy, and radiation. I had my first round of A/C on Thursday. I am recovering ok - Day 3 hit me like a freight train, but I gather that is normal? My scalp is already tingly, and today my skin (especially my face, chest and arms) feels dry, hot and sensitive, like after a sunburn, but I haven't been in the sun for days. What have you all used on your skin to soothe this? Is there anything that might also soothe my scalp? Conversely, the skin on my face is suuuuper soft, an unexepected benefit! Has anyone else noticed this? Also, is it true that what I experienced after the first round will be similiar in subsequent rounds, aside from cumulative exhaustion, or have some of you found that the side effects compound a lot each time? And does anyone know why I am thirsty to the extreme still four days later? I am so sorry to think that there are so many of you out there who are more experienced than I on this subject, but would really appreciate you sharing any insights you have. : ) Juliet
Surgery is on Monday
Hi all, I'm new here, having been diagnosed 3 weeks ago. And what a rollercoaster it's been! So comforting to have this amazing support network of those who have been through all of this before me. There's been a lot of information to absorb and whilst I'm sure I've been told, I'm not sure when I'll be able to take a shower after my surgery, due to bandages etc. It's not the thought of being unable to shower, just that it may be difficult to wash my hair! I'm considering shaving my head prior to Monday so it's one fewer thing for me to worry about. Plus it will be on my terms! I know that I'm going to lose my hair when I start chemotherapy and radiation anyway because I can't use a cold cap because of COVID. Do you think shaving my head prior to surgery will be too much for me to cope with because of the mastectomy? Thanks (sorry if this has previously been discussed. I'm still learning how to use the network)
New diagnosis and confused
Hi everyone. Three months ago I found a small lump in right breast. No family history - I’m 53. Mammogram and ultrasound indicated something. Biopsy inconclusive - surgeon concerned so had lumpectomy. Turned out to be cancer but he believed he had it all. Then had sentinel node biopsy which resulted in node not showing up but pathology results more cancer. I am booked to have mastectomy on right breast on 20 May. Had breast mri yesterday to try to show where it is in right breast and check left breast. I have been reading the forums tonight - what a supportive group. I am confused though. After lumpectomy it was thought I’d have radiation. But now prob no radiation. Initially no chemo but now unsure. Still don’t know grade or stage. I need it explained in simple terms for now as I was so shocked. I have big boobs and now think maybe I should get the left one removed regardless as I have heard back pain can result and also I don’t want the fear of always wondering about it. I suffer anxiety and depression already although being treated for that and in a good place with that ( well I was). So I guess I would love to hear your stories, would you go the double, what else should I ask? Thanks everyone and stay safe ( sorry it’s so long!,) xxAltered staging
Hi. I’m 39 mother of 4 boys and was initially diagnosed with stage 2. I recently had a lumpectomy and auxiliary clearance and margins were not clear and found it had spread to a number of lymph nodes (11/15 removed). Based on pathology from tumour, my diagnosis was changed to Stage 3. I start chemo in 2 weeks, initially x2 weekly and will have a total of 16 treatments, followed by Radiation, then mastectomy, and then hormone treatment. .I was initially positive about my prognosis, but now not so much. Anyone else been in similar situation? Any advice welcomed.
Red swollen painful toenail
I have recently been diagnosed with IDC - stage 1, Grade 2 Oestrogen +/ PR- / HER+ breast cancer. I have had a lumpectomy. I am undergoing weekly chemo with Paclitaxel with three weekly Herceptin. I have just had my 5th dose of Paclitaxel. Today my big toe nail is red, painful and swollen. Has anyone had similar issues, is this a side effect of chemo, does anyone know of any cream to apply. Should I be speaking to my Onco.
