What do you think?

[Carshield]

Tumor 1cm,was5.4:lymph node 2.9gone:taking letrozole/ibrance.Dr suggests surgery:blood work ok with meds. I want to wait!

[luckysmom13]

What stage are you? If 4, then have you had a pet scan recently?

[Carshield in reply to luckysmom13]

Stage 2:pet scan 2 mos ago clear. Thank you for asking.

[Hidden in reply to Carshield]

Stage 2? That is not metastatic which is Stage 4. I’m sorry if I’m misunderstanding. But if you’re Stage 2, I don’t understand why your doc is pushing you

[13plus]

That’s hard for us to make a comment but considerations are - have you had a genetic test for BRAC mutation? Also your age. The higher risk you are and the younger you are it makes more sense to remove it but in general I’m not sure how to answer this question

[Carshield in reply to 13plus]

I will be 80yrs old sept.2021:Dr comments:right upper outer breast mass 1cm. No right axillary adenopathy identified. Tolerating letrozole/palbociclib without issue exam shows good response in right breast and axillary masses. Declines surgery. Understands and requests palliative care.

[Hazelgreen]

I gather the mass is in your breast. Surgery is not fun, especially at our ages, and some wonder whether removing masses triggers mets... I think if I were you I would wait to see if it grows.

P.S. "Pallative care" sounds terrible, but doesn't really mean that your oncologist thinks you'll deteriorate soon. It simply means that s/he isn't thinking of further treatment, but you could always seek another opinion.

Warmest wishes,

Cindy

[blms]

I would probably get a second opinion. I am wondering if you have other health issues--most of us do at this point of life. It sounds like your drugs are working well at this point. So, is odd saying that he wants to do a lumpectomy or mastectomy? Also, after the fact, what will he/she put you on? Did they radiate? i would think at your age surgery would not be the first option. The real deal is that if you have BC now, no matter what the staging, it is already in your body and most likely lympathic system--if even to small to note. So, why surgery now? Not sure, maybe they wanted a smaller tumor first but now you would have to go off meds to bring up blood before surgery--that could easily take a few weeks or more. Where do you live? Do you have the option for a second opinion?