Triple Negative Breast Cancer: What treatments are you having?

Welcome @marywei. You may also be interested in joining this discussion:
- Has anyone been given Trodelvy?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-been-given-trodelvy/
How are the side effects with Trodelvy for you?

I was diagnosed TN in September 2021, had a double mastectomy the following month, and have not had regrets about my decision. At some point I may try some kind of minimal padded-bra type thing but so far I have not done anything like that nor felt the need. It takes a little while to adjust to the change in how my clothes fit; I was not shapely before the surgery, so most of the adaptation has just been in my own mind. I was 68 at the time of diagnosis, and I'm 71 now. I wanted to avoid multiple surgeries, and I like being able to know that everything I see and feel is actually my own body; I feel more aware of my own condition and health with nothing external in the way. The good thing about TN is avoiding so many complicated decisions and side-effects of the treatments for the positive-types of breast cancer. The negative thing is that there's a big empty space where you are on your own to stay distracted and avoid thinking of that higher chance of a return cancer in those first several years.
Frankly, I didn't want to do multiple breast surgeries of ANY kind, either multiple lumpectomies, mastectomies, or the multi-step, drawn out reconstruction processes I heard about. If my life is to be shortened by this disease--and I hope it's not--I want to spend as little of it as possible anticipating or recuperating from surgery. I'm sure you will be fine, and will be comfortable with your decision once you have settled on your own priorities going forward!!

I was diagnosed w/tnbc stage 4 on 3/22/23. It was a recurrence. The tumor has spread to my lung and chest wall and bones . I was told my doctor that I cant have surgery to remove . I also had positive breast cancer stage 3 in 2014 and went remission at the year after I had surgery， chemo, and radiation. last May, I had chemo Enhertu for 6 month then the tumors started grow again. Now I am using chemo Trodelvy for near one months now. I will find out if it
is working on my next scan test.

My diagnosis was similar. However, I did learn that I had the ATM gene, not like BRCA, but did elevate my risk of BC. Since 2019, they have determined that all TNBC should get genetic testing.
I elected to have a double mastectomy. I had a small amount of lymphovascular invasion in my pathology. My oncologist said it was good that all the breast tissue was removed, yet nobody discussed this as a possible benefit to mastectomy. Something you don’t know until post surgery. Also, there can be small, developing DCIS, and that would all be removed.
I am 75 and I wear a soft prosthesis in my bra very comfortably. I can even wear a strapless bra. No regrets.

I was diagnosed with TNBC in November 2019, stage 1b, 1.7 cm and no lymph node involvement. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and then radiation. This was protocol the time. I was deemed in remission until last week. December 15th I had my yearly mammogram which required additional imaging. More scans, ultrasound and biopsy determined I have a local reoccurrence. I am now faced with the decision of having another lumpectomy with 3 weeks radiation, I did not have full amount of radiation the first time, or mastectomy. On one hand I think lumpectomy and save mastectomy option in case it returns again but on the other hand I don’t want multiple surgeries. If I did go mastectomy I would go flat. I am 63 and any advice, suggestions would be appreciated.

It was grade three for aggressiveness but had not spread to lymph nodes. Triple negative is already hard to treat. By the time of surgery it wasn’t gone so i had to do radiation and am just finishing 6 months of oral chemo to prevent reoccurance. Or cut reoccurance in half. It’s still 15-20%.

Sometimes age is a deciding factor. I was 72 with 1.8cm and no nodes affected. I could not get “red devil” I was told due to age. As far as I am concerned, the more aggressive the better. Sounds like you are getting good care.

My tumor was 3.7cm and i discovered recently from a lymph node Bx that the lymph node was negative. I currently at St. Luke’s regional cancer treatment center on Duluth. Because this is such a fast growing Ca. and their normal protocol. Have others had less aggressive TX with good results?

Your chemo regimen seems more extensive than some. What size was your tumor and was there any spread? I am sure you are getting the best at Mayo.

Even though it’s a long journey I’m encouraged by you story. Blessings to you and you family.