1. < Breast Cancer

Diagnosed with invasive ductal Carcinoma 2.2mm. Er/HER2 +3 positive

Posted by lnw @lnw, Apr 9 3:21pm

I was originally diagnosed with DCIS in two ducts. After lumpechtomy, the pathology report showed a 2.2mm tumor attached in one duct. It was diagnosed as invasive ductal Carcinoma-Estrogen positive, progesterone positive but weak & HER2 positive at a +3. All was removed and have clear margins. Had 2 lymph nodes removed, all negative. However, because of the tumor being HER2 positive and grade 3. The Oncologist is stating that I should consider chemotherapy for 3 months & then HER2 inhibitor infusions 1 year to increase the probability of the cancer returning. I am scared to death of chemo. He said if I chose not to have it, research shows a 80% life expectancy at 15 years. With chemo and the inhibitor it increases to 97% at 8 years. I want to give my self the best outcome but chemotherapy has so many bad side effects. Please I need advice from experienced survivors.

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bbhere | @bbhere | Apr 13 10:04am
In reply to @cjs123172 "You'll do well with the cold cap on taxol. I did it and I preserved 80..." + (show)
@cjs123172

You'll do well with the cold cap on taxol. I did it and I preserved 80 percent of my hair. Just follow the instructions about not washing your hair much and being delicate with it.

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That's great, good for you! Excellent results. Can you hear when you have the cap on? I've been told my first treatment is at least 4 hrs infusion plus at least extra 3 hours in cap. Also did you wear a scarf or something? my hair with no blow drying or products of any kind for I guess 6 months? is not a good look for my job. Thank you for replying!

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2 replies
turbomom | @turbomom | Apr 13 10:47am
In reply to @freckle1 "Any credible evidence that the cold gloves and slippers work?" + (show)
@freckle1

Any credible evidence that the cold gloves and slippers work?

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Not really, pretty much anecdotal. I couldn’t tolerate the cold last session, so this might not work for me.

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1 reply
lnw | @lnw | Apr 13 10:55am
In reply to @cjs123172 "You'll do well with the cold cap on taxol. I did it and I preserved 80..." + (show)
@cjs123172

You'll do well with the cold cap on taxol. I did it and I preserved 80 percent of my hair. Just follow the instructions about not washing your hair much and being delicate with it.

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Thanks I will definitely try the cold cap.

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lnw | @lnw | Apr 13 11:10am
In reply to @cjs123172 "I had the exact same diagnosis - small triple positive tumor. You should definitely do the..." + (show)
@cjs123172

I had the exact same diagnosis - small triple positive tumor. You should definitely do the chemo (taxol) and the herceptin. Without it, triple positive tumors recur, often metastatic. If you look at the studies, the 10 year results are amazing with the 12 weeks of chemo and the year of herceptin. The taxol is not as strong as other breast cancer chemos, and since it’s administered weekly, it’s quite tolerable. I completed everything and feel very confident that if any cancer cell escaped, the chemo took care of it. There are amazing reductions in breast cancer deaths, and much of that reduction is attributed to the use of herceptin with triple positive tumors.

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Thanks so much. It gives me alot to discuss with my oncologist. All the replies have helped me so much to better understand what I am in for. I am now leaning toward having the chemo & the Her2 inhibitor to better my chance for no recurrance.

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1 reply
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Apr 13 11:23am
In reply to @lnw "Thanks so much. It gives me alot to discuss with my oncologist. All the replies have..." + (show)
@lnw

Thanks so much. It gives me alot to discuss with my oncologist. All the replies have helped me so much to better understand what I am in for. I am now leaning toward having the chemo & the Her2 inhibitor to better my chance for no recurrance.

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I am glad you are planning for chemo. I am really glad you found Mayo connect! Aren’t these girls all pretty great. I had a similar diagnosis as you but not the same chemo protocol since herceptin was not approved for frontline use yet. I took a 3 drug regimen for 6 treatments. Being very young, in my 30’s I wanted to reduce my risk as much as possible.
While it certainly was not easy, it was worth it! Today the regimens are a little easier to tolerate and more targeted. The side effects controls are better than ever. I would do it again if it meant I could have another 20 years like the 20 I have had since then.
I know this is a long term perspective, but isn’t that what we are all hoping for.
Do you have a start date for chemo yet?

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1 reply
turbomom | @turbomom | Apr 13 11:27am

At your age, I would definitely give that regimen a try. I am going through it now, but at age 81, otherwise healthy. Had DCIS stage 0 at age 67, now IDC stage 1, lymph nodes negative, but HER2+, contralateral breast. I’ve only had two treatments so far, fingers crossed that I can tolerate it. If not, how many years do I have left anyway? I don’t care about the hair loss, but I would have at age 61. Wishing you wisdom in making your choice, and a good outcome with treatment! ❤️

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1 reply
lnw | @lnw | Apr 13 1:36pm
In reply to @auntieoakley "I am glad you are planning for chemo. I am really glad you found Mayo connect!..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

I am glad you are planning for chemo. I am really glad you found Mayo connect! Aren’t these girls all pretty great. I had a similar diagnosis as you but not the same chemo protocol since herceptin was not approved for frontline use yet. I took a 3 drug regimen for 6 treatments. Being very young, in my 30’s I wanted to reduce my risk as much as possible.
While it certainly was not easy, it was worth it! Today the regimens are a little easier to tolerate and more targeted. The side effects controls are better than ever. I would do it again if it meant I could have another 20 years like the 20 I have had since then.
I know this is a long term perspective, but isn’t that what we are all hoping for.
Do you have a start date for chemo yet?

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Thanks for the info and encouragement. I really need it. I see the oncologist again on 4/30. He wanted to present my case to the board of oncologists since my tumor id so small, to get their perspective.
My family wanted me to get a second opinion on the treatment plan suggestion. I told him I will let him know at our next appointment, my decision on the chemo after I did my own reaearch.

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lnw | @lnw | Apr 13 1:44pm
In reply to @turbomom "At your age, I would definitely give that regimen a try. I am going through it..." + (show)
@turbomom

At your age, I would definitely give that regimen a try. I am going through it now, but at age 81, otherwise healthy. Had DCIS stage 0 at age 67, now IDC stage 1, lymph nodes negative, but HER2+, contralateral breast. I’ve only had two treatments so far, fingers crossed that I can tolerate it. If not, how many years do I have left anyway? I don’t care about the hair loss, but I would have at age 61. Wishing you wisdom in making your choice, and a good outcome with treatment! ❤️

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Sounds like everyone is on agreement. I have decided to give it a try, especially since it seems that once you have been diagnosed and it's removed, you need to worry for the rest of your life that it will recur. As I told my family, I have a lot of living to do at least 40 more years, if have something to say about it. Ha! Ha! I just want to give myself the best chance to make it as close to thst number as possible.

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freckle1 | @freckle1 | Apr 13 5:16pm
In reply to @turbomom "Not really, pretty much anecdotal. I couldn’t tolerate the cold last session, so this might not..." + (show)
@turbomom

Not really, pretty much anecdotal. I couldn’t tolerate the cold last session, so this might not work for me.

Jump to this post

There must be research on this. Peripheral neuropathy caused by chemo is not only unpleasant if not painful - it makes you much more at risk of falling. Your brain and your feet no longer communicate properly. Even worse if you have vision problems.

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turbomom | @turbomom | Apr 13 5:23pm

My oncologist said there is some evidence to support cryotherapy to prevent PN, but I don’t have the specifics.

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