TNBC treatment needing confirmation: What is standard treatment?

This is the regiment I went through for TNBC without mastectomy. I had lumpectomy after chemo, then radiation. I don’t know the answer to your question, but for me the ACT was rough- taxol, not as bad. Radiation was not difficult for me, just a hassle to go every day.

I guess I would get a second opinion to determine if the chemo is necessary. How much does it decrease your odds of recurrence? Again, I am not a medical professional so perhaps should not weigh in, but this was my experience.

Best wishes,
Cindy

I had 2a TNBC lobular cancer 4 years ago. I had chemo, masectomy, 3 weeks radiation, then xeloda for 6 months because of it being tnbc. Tnbc is an aggressive cancer so tumor was large and chemo was done first.
Ask questions of the oncologist to see what the best plan is for you.
Good luck. Sending hugs.

I’m thinking your tumor was a little bigger if you had chemo before your mastectomy. My tumor was isolated to one breast, but I opted for bilateral mastectomy and next is the chemo… just getting prepared.
Thank you for responding…
Newbie
Miriam

Yes my tumor was 5.8 cm so chemo needed first. Glad yours is smaller. For chemo wear comfortable clothes, bringing things to read, a nice lap blanket. I even changed my shoes to slippers to be more comfortable. Some people brought water or gatorade to drink.
Good luck.

Wow…you must’ve been really weak after chemo. Did you do the act regiment?

Hi Moshi-
TNBC in 2021. 2.0 stage 2a, no lymph node involvement. Age 72, active, in good health with no heart disease or diabetes. Had treatment called CMF by my treating hospital (which proved to be an incorrect treatment, as I learned from Moffit and Mayo). Then mastectomy. I was told radiation would not be necessary with mastectomy. The initial CMF did not completely get rid of the tumor, so I should have gotten the Zeloda pill, but it was not compatible with the CMF (which apparently my treating hospital did not know, but thankfully Mayo did know) and I had to then have another 12 weekly rounds of Taxol/Carboplatin. To add to my medical errors, my treating hospital installed a port and punctured my lung, which delayed my second round of chemo. You are so right to ask questions. I read and researched and consulted three other hospitals because I did not feel confident that the CMF was correct. Cannot say enough good things about Mayo. You are right, no guarantees, but feeling like you are getting the right advice is so very important.

I tell you what… YOU are a warrior! I’m going to make sure they are aware I have lungs before they put my port in on Friday.
How big was your tumor? I went straight into a bilateral mastectomy with this chemo coming.
When did you go through this and how are you doing?

@moshi, you may also be interested in this related discussion that continues to be active.
- Triple Negative Breast Cancer: What treatments are you having?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/triple-negative-breast-cancer/

5.8 cm tumor isn't it actually stage 3?

I was told no because not in lymph nodes. Might be 2b tho
Usual treatment is chemo and after all your treatments xeloda . Hormones receptors are all negative so drugs other types take don't work.
Not sure about radiation each case is different. I was put on zomeda too for threeyears. To strengthen bones and keep cancer out of bones.
Good luck