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Sheila · 04-26-2007, 01:43 PM

Donna

This is a difficult question, but the recommendation is for chemo for any tumor over 1cm, some recommend it for any tumor over .06cm, even with neg. nodes. Alot depends on Er, Pr status, Her2 status etc. If in doubt, get a second opinion. That is always wise, even a third! I had a small tumor 0.7cm, neg nodes, no chemo, and was considered stage1 with a good outlook, 1 1/2 years later I was stage 4 with mets to the lymph nodes. Some people have chemo with neg nodes and a small tumor, and still recur....there is no magic answer. Even if she chooses not to do the chemo, I would recommend the year of Herceptin....it was not available for me as stage 1, but it is now....I think it may have made a big difference for me if I had been given it early.
If her Her2 status was done by IHC, she may want to have FISH testing done on the tumor, as there have been false positives with the IHC method.

I hope this helps....like I said, get more than 1 opinion, and then make the decision based on the information.

04-26-2007, 01:43 PM	#7
Sheila Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Morris, IL Posts: 3,507	Donna This is a difficult question, but the recommendation is for chemo for any tumor over 1cm, some recommend it for any tumor over .06cm, even with neg. nodes. Alot depends on Er, Pr status, Her2 status etc. If in doubt, get a second opinion. That is always wise, even a third! I had a small tumor 0.7cm, neg nodes, no chemo, and was considered stage1 with a good outlook, 1 1/2 years later I was stage 4 with mets to the lymph nodes. Some people have chemo with neg nodes and a small tumor, and still recur....there is no magic answer. Even if she chooses not to do the chemo, I would recommend the year of Herceptin....it was not available for me as stage 1, but it is now....I think it may have made a big difference for me if I had been given it early. If her Her2 status was done by IHC, she may want to have FISH testing done on the tumor, as there have been false positives with the IHC method. I hope this helps....like I said, get more than 1 opinion, and then make the decision based on the information. __________________ "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Hugs & Blessings Sheila Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications) Core Biopsy 2/22/02 L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002 Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg 6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant 9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes 9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks 3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes 3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes 5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working 6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin 3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee 5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks 4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve 5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin 11/09 Progression on Navelbine Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!! 2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin 5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion 7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!! 9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck Qualified for TDM-1 EAP 10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1 Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments 12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments 2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression 2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin 2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes 2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS 5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression 6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin