Information from those with small size tumors at diagnosis

[Hopeful]

Age at dx: 52, postmenopausal

4/19/06 - annual mammogram, recalled for additional views
4/27/06 - dx mammogram + ultrasound, results "suspicious for cancer" (architechtural distortion and microcalcifications noted, no lump felt)
6/3/06 - excisional biopsy
6/6/06 - dx IDC 1.3 cm, 9mm invasive, 10% DCIS, ER+ 80%, PR+ 50%, Her2+++ by IHC, Ki-67 11% (borderline normal), grade 2, Bloom-Richardson score 7, 1 positive margin
6/23/06 - rexcision for positive margin (no additional cancer found) and sentinel node biopsy, SNB negative, stage 1
8/14/06-9/29/06 - rads 33 treatments
8/17/06 - Herceptin every 3 weeks for 1 year
10/1/06 - Femara daily; switched to Arimidex 12/06 due to severe tinnitus, to continue for 5 years.

Hopeful

[janet/FL]

Hopeful, did the doctor recommend chemo for you? I have heard they maybe switching to the anti estrogen drugs for you ER/PR positives. If you could expand on this, I am sure that others with like turmors would appreciate it.

[Hopeful]

Janet,

Two oncs reccomended chemo to me, one at a major cancer center, and the onc I am treating with. Based on my research and what I thought was right for me, I declined. I chose my onc, who is in private practice, because he was willing to treat me with Herceptin without chemo. At the time I started my infusions, Herceptin was still only approved for use in metastatic bc patients, and the doctors affiliated with large hospitals or major cancer centers would only prescribe it in accordance with the protocols for the trials of Herceptin as adjuvant therapy in early stage patients, and all the protocols included chemo. He was not bound by any internal administrative rules, and my insurance covered it, so we went ahead.

My onc and his associates have one of the largest private practices I am aware of. Once a month, they have a lunch program in house, where they invite one or two of the oncs from local major cancer centers to do presentations to them and answer questions about treatment. So, I feel that they are as up to speed as any of the docs in the larger centers. Also, I am examined by the doctor every three weeks when I go for my infusions, and have the chance to discuss new drugs and therapies with him. I don't know if other patients get that much "face time" with their oncs.

I know this is a non-traditional path to follow, but my doctors were satisfied I had done good research and was making an informed decision. In the end, the choice has to be one we can live with. I am very satisfied with my treatment plan.

Hopeful

Signature is below. Update, had six month mammogram a week ago. Looks okay. Tumor markers are beginning to go down; still a bit above normal.

[MJo]

Age at diagnosis was 55. I had to stop Herceptin because muga dropped 16 points. I was comfortable with stopping at 9 months. Because I was stage 1 with a small tumor, oncologist tried to balance risk to my heart with the risk of cancer recurring. I asked him, what if cancer recurs and I have to take herceptin again? He said in that case, the risk of cancer would be more dangerous than the risk to my heart.

[Carol H.]

Age 59, post menopausal, I will be finished with my 33 radiation treatments March 6. Refused A/C plus Herceptin at this time. Carol H.

[Patb]

I was diagnosed at 62, June 2006, Stage I, Size of tumor 1.7cent. I had a
lumpectomy, clean margins, no nodes, grade 3, ER+, Pr-, Her2 positive. I had
four A/C's, Radiation 33, Herceptin for one year, now in treatment, and Arimidex
for five years. I have had a chest X-Ray and blood work but no scans. Interesting reading all the other post and the different treatments. I always wonder if I'm doing enough.
patb

[janet/FL]

Always something to confuse us.
In one of the articles posted today, some doctors feel that if you go dose dense A/C, which means every two weeks not every three for the infusions, you will have less heart problems and therefore Hereptin could be given afterwards. Since studies have shown that A/C works better with ER/PR negatives, than positives, we should consider this regime.
Wonder if they will do any studies on this?
Scroll on down to Track 17.
http://www.breastcancerupdate.com/bcu2007/1/norton.asp

[Jean]

starting this thread, a big thank you.

Jean

[janet/FL]

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=27239

When considering AC, the above study certainly sides against AC and for TCH. At this time I don't know if AC was given every three weeks or dose dense. Please go to this link to follow the discussion

[Cosmo]

Most of my information is in my signature.

Karen

[SusanV]

Great Thread...Info in signature

[Marlys]

Age 66 at diagnosis (March 9, 2005). Stage 1, high grade idc tumor (.5cm), negative sentinel node. Lumpectomy times 2 to get clear margins.
HER2+++. ER+++, PR+. AC x 4, RADS X 30. Herceptin every 3 weeks for 1 year (finished July 11, 2006). Arimidex for 5 years.
Onc does not routinely do tumor markers as he feels they are generally unreliable. Also no routine scans etc except mammograms on affected side every 6 months and bilaterally every year. Scans etc only if symptomatic.
Marlys

[Melinda]

I too am 54 at the initial dx. Seems that we have a lot of company in this "theater"
See my signature for patholgy.
Melinda

[janet11]

Was age 57 at diagnosis. The rest of my info is in my signature:

[julierene]

Having 2 primary cancers, I would be looking at genetics...

Most of my info is in my signature. The only part left out is that I have a p53 gene mutation that was inherited. I had 2 primary cancers. The invasive cancer was in the left side, the DCIS was in the right side.

[janet/FL]

Just want to make sure that those of you new to the group can see this thread and post if it applies to you or you have new information.
Hugs
Janet/FL

[caya]

Hi all,

You can see everything in my signature.
Thanks
Caya

[MCS]

i really should add this to my signature


dx at 49
7/05
.9cm rb
1 sentinel node
grade 3
sphase 6.8%
brac 1 and 2 negative
er-, pr-
rb mast 9/05
ac
taxol with herceptin
no rads
herceptin for one year ever 3 weeks, completed 12/06
lb prophilactic mastectomy 12/06
saline implant in rb 9/06
saline implant on lb in 4/07
ovaries removal in 4/07

I've asked Joe, the main man! to place some for of access database so that we could search for those of us with similar dx. Poor Joe, I know, easier said than done!

MCS ( maria)

[Nanc]

Hi,
I was Dx at age 45(Feb 2006):
1 cm, grade two
negative nodes
ER+, Pr+, Her2+
Treated with:
4 cycles of AC
30 rads
2/3 done my year of Herceptin ( finishing in July)
presently on tamoxifen
having ovaries out in June and then will swithch to Armidex

Nancy