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I had a very large primary tumor with axillary lymph node invovement. I agree with Al that it's the neoadjunct chemotherapy that helps shrink primary tumors.
I went through neoadjunct chemo. Had 4 rounds A/C and 4 rounds Taxatore. The Taxatore was what really helped the primary tumor -- it did not actually shirnk it but did manage to kill the active cancer as shown by a PET scan. With some women the neoadjunct chemo actually does shrink the tumor -- sometimes completely. Even then it is recommended that you have surgery.
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Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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