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Re: A newly diagnosed family member-- with a few questions
Each oncologist should be able to tell your sister why they recommend a particular treatment plan. Treatment protocols seem to be rapidly changing. Also, I found it helpful to be part of a system (Franciscan) in which all of the various providers weigh in on treatment plans during weekly "tumor boards". At least I then knew that other oncologists (and radiologists and plastic surgeons, etc) had reviewed my case. I think this type of care is becoming common.
In my case I had neoadjuvant chemo (TCH) prior to surgery because of a large tumor size. The herceptin followed by chemo and then surgery sounds intriguing, but you are right to have questions.
Shirley
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- Age 54 at dx (April '13) Stage 2b, grade 3
- ER+ PR+ HER+, 9 cm tumor one breast and <0.5 cm in sentinal node
- BRCA1 and 2 negative
- Neoadjuvant TCH chemo started 5-15-13 (4 rounds, 3 weeks apart)
- Unilateral Mx w/expander 8-22-13 (right side)
- 5/5 nodes Neg
- clear margins but close. Tumor at removal down to 2.2 cm.
- Radiation 6 wks starting 10-17-13.
- Herceptin every 3 weeks until 4-23-14
- DIEP/Mastopexy 10-8-14, U of WA
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