Is Chemotherapy necessary even when th... - Breast Cancer India

Breast Cancer India

3,168 members1,462 posts

Is Chemotherapy necessary even when the tumor is small and not spread to Axillary lymph nodes?

fatehkhan profile image
7 Replies

My mother(53 years had lumptectomy and a tumor of about 3.5 x 3 cms was removed. The biopsy report says negative on the Axillary nodes.. so the cancer has not spread to other parts as I understand that Axillary lymph nodes are first which receive the drainage form the breast. The Onco surgeon has recommended chemo of 6 cycles, followed by radiation therapy. The first chemo session has already begun and she is already weak, starting with hair loss. She receives Adriamycin, 85mg IV, 5FU 850mg IV and Endoxan 850mg IV in her chemo therapy. I am worried about the vast side effects of Chemotherapy and if my mother would withstand it. Therefore I would like to ask if it is correct , to go with Chemotherapy ( with those drugs) even when the cancer has not yet spread to Axillary nodes

Thank you very much for your answers.

Written by
fatehkhan profile image
fatehkhan
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
7 Replies
kontak profile image
kontakTeamBCI

Hi Fathekhan. Chemotherapy & radiation are must. Even last year when my sister had detected we were also of the same confusion - if cancer has not spread to lymph nodes then why chemo & radiation? But after the guidance - she has undergone chemo and radiation. Dr will guide you more technically

manish_vkg profile image
manish_vkgTeamBCI

Hi Fateh, sorry to hear about your mom. this is the standard procedure surgery, chemotherapy and then radiation...even after removing the tumor...may be there is cancer cell in undetectable state, means which can not be detected with currently available technology...so chemotherapy medicine will try to kill all cancer cell from the whole body and radiation will kill the remaining cancer cell from the operated area if anything left there.

related to side effect..yes we can understand its really tough to manage but nothing is impossible..just it needs more effort to cope with side effect of chemotherapy...give her lot of fluid like 2 lt water every day it will help to remove the toxins from body..check the forum you will get more information about chemo side effect..

napra profile image
napra

I think the size of the tumor is one of the deciding factors regarding the chemo and RT. Since your mom has already had the first cycle of chemotherapy, you have to bravely go through the devastating effects, but rest assured, she would be free of all problems once she finishes her 6 cycles. Her hair will grow back, nails, toes and tongue will regain the natural colour, eye lashes and eye brows will come back, nausea and vomiting will stop, and with calcium supplements her bones will get stronger. Everything is going to be fine. wish you all the best

fatehkhan profile image
fatehkhan

Thank you guys for the support and your valuable suggestions.. :)

sumeet_shah profile image
sumeet_shahAdministrator

1. Chemotherapy is necessary in your mother's case. We give chemotherapy, when the size of tumour is more than 1 cm or any node is positive in the arm pit.

2. The dosage will have been calculated according to her physical profile. So do not worry, she will surely tolerate it well.

Feel free to ask any questions. And feel free to share any views.

fatehkhan profile image
fatehkhan

Thank you Dr. Shah... :)

MsLockYourPosts profile image
MsLockYourPostsTeamBCI

Have your mother's vitamin D level checked, also. If it is low supplements can help with bone health, but her levels should be checked until the right dose is found. My doctor checked every three months.

Par

You may also like...

About Treatment of HER2 positive node negative right breast cancer in the cheapest way possible

My mother has HER2 positive and nodes negative infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Doctors has said to...

Infiltrating duct carcinoma, stage III, age 55. Need help with understanding the case and cure

Size of tumor 1*0.6cm, Left AXLN-0.8,*0.6 cm, 4*2.8 cm necrotic lymph nodes in left axillary tail....

Need help in knowing the treatment plan

My Mom has been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. She is 70 years old and has diabetes (around...

Suggest the best treatment for Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma - Grade II of III

Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma - Grade II of II and Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis (32/39) (pT2;...

Why is a Mastectomy Needed?

I was diagnosed w Stage 3 BC with axillary lymph node involvement tumour size 6cm in LHS breast HER...