Ibrance break once NED for surgery ? - SHARE Metastatic ...

SHARE Metastatic Breast Cancer

6,549 members8,103 posts

Ibrance break once NED for surgery ?

Teddielottie profile image
18 Replies

Has anyone had a short break from ibrance once NED to have any surgery ?

I’m thinking of having a Breast reduction on my non affected side to rebalance smaller implant on my mastectomy side. Onc says If I decide to go ahead I would need to have a 2 week break from ibrance (1 week before and 1 after the op ) and they would also consider 4 weeks injections to boost bone marrow white cell production to reduce risk of infection . My bloods have been fine and tumour markers within normal range and scan shows I am currently NED. ( on ibrance 10 months so far but I am fit and well) A difficult decision ! Anyone have any experience of this ?

Written by
Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
18 Replies

I am curious to hear replies as I am due to have my left hip replaced due to the cancer in my bones destroying my hip. Seeing my oncologist on Monday to see how he and my surgeon have worked things out. My surgeon said I only need to be off two weeks to have surgery safely but not sure my oncologist agrees

Clair19 profile image
Clair19 in reply to

Yeah your oncologist just worried about it any infection could come up. They are not a fan on these type medicine and taking time off your medicine. Mostly because wbc will be fighting any infection making Neutrophils and all wbc go down. If it’s down to much during recovery they won’t allow you to go back on it till it recoups. It will recoup and you will be fine. Good luck keep us posted.

Crazydentist profile image
Crazydentist

Hi

Well I’m having a kyphoplasty on my fractured vertebrae on Oct 5th and there’s been no talk of me stopping Ibrance for that..it’s a fairly quick procedure but still involves a GA and incisions

Now I’m worried though maybe I’ll have antibiotics?

Sort of don’t want to stop the Ibrance

Barb xx

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie in reply to Crazydentist

Hope it goes well for you too . x

blms profile image
blms in reply to Crazydentist

If you are having an epidural with this, and that is what you are referring to, the steroid injection has a strong chance of lowering your cell count. Personally, I would get my counts up to a more normal level before. I am currently in the same situation and have not decided if I want my disc tear to just scar up on its own or go ahead with the procedure. Today I am leaning to waiting. But, I have stayed off my Ibrance with anticipation of the procedure.

Crazydentist profile image
Crazydentist in reply to blms

Hi

No I’m having a general anaesthetic

Barb xx

HopeinNJ profile image
HopeinNJ

I’ve taken two breaks from IBRANCE. My last scan still showed no evidence of disease. Good luck with your surgery.

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie in reply to HopeinNJ

Thank you x

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom

Hi Teddie!

Are you taking any other meds; ie letrozole?

It should be fairly easy to get a second opinion. In the meantime, did oncologist say WHY he would recommend this break for surgery?

Hope you find a satisfactory explanation! Good luck and prayers for your surgery, Teddie! Linda

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie in reply to SeattleMom

Yes, just Letrozole . I’m in the U.K. and have all my treatment on NHS. The 2 week break is to boost white blood cells / neutrophyls , to reduce any risk of infection . My bloods have been ok ( in last 2 months my neutrophyls have been 2.0 and white blood cells 3.6 in my week off ibrance). My onc, who I trust , will support me if I choose to have this surgery .

SeattleMom profile image
SeattleMom in reply to Teddielottie

Now I can see why that makes sense; i.e. to guard your WBC's. I would guess that while you're on letrozole, it probably is not going to be harmful to eliminate ibrance for a short period around your surgery. And that "break" will guard you against any infections related to surgery. Hospitals are a feeding ground for bacteria! Best of luck, Teddie!! XO Linda

Crazydentist profile image
Crazydentist

Hi

I’m in uk as well but not been suggested I stop Ibrance for my operation

Barb xx

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie in reply to Crazydentist

I haven’t spoken with my surgeon recently so hopefully I will get more info when I see her. I think it is a day op so should be a bit more straight forward this time x

Halfpint2 profile image
Halfpint2

I was taken off Ibrance & Letrozole for over a month when I had emergency gallbladder surgery. It didn’t cause me any issues.

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie

Just an update... I am going ahead with my left breast reduction op to balance my right mastectomy /much smaller reconstruction , later this month . I am on my 12th ibrance cycle but will have the day op on my normal week off of ibrance (subject of course to my wbc being ok the day before!) and then will be having GCSF injections to boost my wbc after the op . Not looking forward to being home bound for a couple of weeks but glad to have the chance to have this op while on ibrance x

DebRachal profile image
DebRachal in reply to Teddielottie

Good you are doing well!

DebRachal profile image
DebRachal

I am on a break for m Ibrance and I will have surgery to remove breast implants next week.. no idea how this will turn out but I have a drs approval. How are YOU DOING?

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie in reply to DebRachal

I’m ok thanks ... just waiting for the results of my 6 monthly ct scan but I have now recovered from the breast reduction op while on Ibrance . Hope it all goes well for you x

You may also like...

NED after 5 months on Ibrance and Letrozole

I had my first PET scan last week since starting Ibrance and Letrozole in April 2017. There is no...

Ibrance, surgery, ibrance

and right breast. Oncologist has advised will need to be off ibrance for just over my week off and...

What happens after NED?

reach NED you will generally continue to take Ibrance & Letrozole. However, I am in UK and my onc...

Asked onc re 75mg Ibrance

so that’s that My markers keep rising but she’s not going to change meds until I have another scan...

Surgery and going off Ibrance and letrozole for a period of time after surgery

metastasized. I have bee NED since then . I am scheduled for knee replacement in 4 weeks and had to...