chemo

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Magi - 13 Jan 2004 22:02 GMT

Had surgery for breast cancer, had an infection which is now just clearing
and radiation planning begins next week. Lymph nodes where clear, margins
where good,size was under 1cm . Er negative is the hitch. I am 68 years
old, have heart problems and 20 years ago had a aneurysm that ruptured and
have asthma, a bit over weight, which I am working on. I feel fine and I am
active. My problem is that no one seem (2 oncologists and my Dr) to be sure
whether I should take chemo CMF as it could effect my health in a negative
manner........They are leaving the choice to me I don't feel I know enough
to make this decision. There does not seem to be alot of info re this
around, Any suggestion would be welcome.
M

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Tim Jackson - 14 Jan 2004 01:16 GMT

> Had surgery for breast cancer, had an infection which is now just clearing
> and radiation planning begins next week. Lymph nodes where clear, margins
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> around, Any suggestion would be welcome.
> M

The oncologists are shirking their duties in not giving you a
recommendation. They are the experts, why do they think you should know
better? Yes it is your decision but the whole point is to make an informed
decision and it is their job to inform you what the options are.

In your case the potential benefits from chemotherapy are rather small as
the cancer was early stage, and your risks are a bit higher than average due
to pre-existing conditions, so there is pretty much of a balance between
them. The gain in probable quality life from chemo (i.e. a probability of
surviving longer) little more than outweighs the probable loss of quality
life (i.e. a period of poor quality life) from the side effects.

So the bottom line is that it isn't really important which way you choose,
at least that is what I think your oncologists are trying to tell you. If
you want a recommendation, I'd say skip it, but then I'm not a doctor. The
older you get the slower cancers tend to grow, so in the unlikely event that
it recurs, by the time it gets significant you will probably be fairly old
and have other medical things to worry about.

My mum ( a quite healthy 77) had a slightly worse tumour, but ER+. She
didn't have chemo but gets Tamoxifen. I am not worried about her, even if
it does eventually recur she will have had a good innings.

Tim Jackson

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Magi - 14 Jan 2004 23:02 GMT

Thanks Tim, It was the word aggressive that really scared me.
M

> > Had surgery for breast cancer, had an infection which is now just clearing
> > and radiation planning begins next week. Lymph nodes where clear, margins
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> Tim Jackson

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Tim Jackson - 15 Jan 2004 00:23 GMT

> Thanks Tim, It was the word aggressive that really scared me.
> M

I didn't find the word "aggressive" in your post. It doesn't make much
difference to my answer. I was more explaining what would make oncologists
sit on the fence, than doing a prognosis.

Tim

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bell-lady - 15 Jan 2004 04:31 GMT

My onc had said if it was greater than 50% (something) is why he chose
chemo...Tim, help me out...something that means pushy (I don't think the
word was aggressive). I remember he had to go back to pathologist to test
for it as it didn't show on initial report to him from Pathology. Not ER,
not HER, perhaps it was invasive? Over 50% invasive. I too had clean
margins, no nodes, <1cm., etc but because it was >50% invasive, had chemo
and of course rads.

YMMV
Ann inPA

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