Breast Cancer Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: For Patients
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- We teach you about the benefits of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy before surgery, rather than afterwards, may offer distinct advantages in your unique breast cancer situation.
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Questions for your Breast Surgeon and Medical Oncologist:
1. Do you know now, before surgery, if I will need chemotherapy?
2. If “yes,” should we consider “Neoadjuvant Chemo” before surgery?
3. What are the benefits of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy?
4. Isn’t Neoadjuvant Chemo recommended more now?
5. Do my receptors suggest I will need chemotherapy?
6. Do I have cancer in my axillary nodes?
7. Will you ultrasound my axillary lymph nodes today?
8. What is Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy?
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is when chemotherapy is given before surgery, not afterwards. Most never require chemotherapy. But if chemotherapy is needed, there can be specific advantages to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This approach is a “cutting edge” trend in sophisticated breast cancer care.
If your breast biopsy “receptor pattern” suggests you need chemotherapy, it is important for you to inquire about the possible benefits of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with your breast surgeon. If cancer is detected in your lymph nodes before surgery, you may also benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Learn more about receptors and chemotherapy with our video lesson “My Tumor Receptors” (here).
When is chemotherapy generally needed?
If needed, chemotherapy is most commonly given after surgery (“adjuvant” chemo) for invasive breast cancer. It is a more intense cancer treatment than hormonal therapy. Only a minority of breast cancer patients will ever need chemotherapy. These complex decisions are ones you will make with your medical oncologist and breast surgeon. You will make better treatment choices when you are well informed about chemotherapy before you meet your breast surgeon and medical oncologist.
Would I benefit from “Neoadjuvant Chemo?”
What is often overlooked are the benefits of offering neoadjuvant chemotherapy for appropriate “Early-Stage” breast cancer. The decision to consider neoadjuvant chemotherapy always begins with your breast surgeon. You and your breast surgeon will choose the initial direction of your entire breast cancer treatment plan. You must address this treatment option before surgery to benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Some breast surgeons do not yet embrace neoadjuvant chemotherapy for early stage cancers. Do not be afraid to ask. This is a very important question.
The Potential Benefits of Neoadjuvant Chemo:
*Begin life-saving chemotherapy earlier
*Reduce the need for a mastectomy
*Improve cosmetic outcomes with a lumpectomy
*Reduce the need for an “Axillary Dissection”
*Allow more time for BRCA genetic testing
*More time to think about “lumpectomy vs. mastectomy”
*Shows your cancer team if the chemo is working
*Can eliminate all cancer cells before surgery in some
*Reduce the need for radiation after a mastectomy
Who may benefit from Neoadjuvant Chemo:
We list below a few of the criteria important in deciding if neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an option for someone who has yet to undergo breast cancer surgery.
Your Breast biopsy “Tumor receptors” reveal
*“HER2-positive” receptors
*“Triple Negative” receptors
*Estrogen receptor negative
OR:
*Cancer is found in the Axillary Nodes before surgery
*A tumor larger than 5 centimeters
*Diagnosis is inflammatory breast cancer
What “Receptor Patterns” suggest Neoadjuvant Chemo?
HER2-Positive Receptor (HER2+) tumors are incredibly responsive to chemotherapy when paired with new breakthrough drugs that target these cancers, such as Herceptin and Perjeta. The same holds true if a HER2-positive tumor is also ER positive.
“Triple Negative” (ER-)(PR-)(HER2-) tumors are also fast growing tumors that are usually treated with a specific chemotherapy regimen. These tumors are not responsive to hormonal therapy, but can be very sensitive to chemotherapy. Visit our “Triple Negative Breast Cancer“ video lesson (here).
Estrogen Receptor Negative (ER-) tumors do not respond to anti-estrogen oral medications that are essential for treating estrogen receptor positive (ER+) tumors. Quite simply, patients with ER negative tumors will benefit from chemotherapy.
Why does “Inflammatory Breast Cancer” mean Neoadjuvant Chemo?
If you have been diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, the first step is always neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery. This type of cancer has a high likelihood of spreading to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. Starting chemotherapy as soon as possible is essential to curing this aggressive breast cancer.
Thanks for explaining this to us. This really helps a lot to where I understand thanks.
So for those of you asking about how I am doing - I am fine and still in remission. Those of you going through this ordeal - my thoughts and prayers are with you truly. Be strong.
Now those of you who asked me about the chemo and double mastectomy - I found for ME - the double mastectomy hurt like no other! It was very painful. Each and every single one of you are unique in your own way and will handle things differently. What may be painful for me - may not be as painful for you or it could be even more painful for you than it was for me.
Now if you are worried about the implants - I got ones that are solid silicone - meaning they are like a gummy bear and that is the term used - I have Gummy Bear implants. They will not leak silicone if they are punctured. Lymphedema is always a possibility - but you all know your bodies better than doctors do because it is YOU who are living inside of it. Be very much aware of how you feel and how your body reacts to things. Mine accepted everything just fine.
What also helps is to have faith in God, for without Him, I would not have gotten the care I have received, I would not have been made into a case study for my rapid timeline, and I wouldn't have had the best teams in my area to treat me. To Him - I'm eternally grateful.
To know more, I have included a link you can click on (if it lets you) or copy and paste it. Or you can go to my other channel - Jill's Quirky Crafts - My Breast Cancer Journey - is the name of the video. I hope this helps for it has links and all kinds of information and it is about an hour long.
czcams.com/video/p4wSN-gX_Tg/video.html
Remember y'all - stay positive, do not be scared, have faith, be strong. Surround yourself with love, God, and positivity and don't let fear in. Once it gets in, it will eat at you. it is not an easy road, but it's a journey that can be done one step at a time.
My thoughts and prayers are to you all. I am rooting for each one of you! YOU GOT THIS!
do you need chemo if you have estrogen positive?
We got results from chemotherapy before surgery. Is it still required to do mastectomy
I am 47 years old, Stage 2 Her2 grade 3. No involvement of lymph node as shown in Ultrasound and CT Scan.
I just completed 2 cycles of Neoadjuvant - Tacotere + herceptin + Perjeta
My oncologist suggest for Axillary Clearance but I am worried about the risk of lymphedema. She said this is to avoid recurrence.
I will continue on herceptin + perjeta for 18 months.
Breast surgeon plan for mastectomy since the lump just under the nipple.
My question, is sentinel biopsy of LN is reliable after completed Neoadjuvant
Can I avoid Axillary Clearance?
Do I need to undergo Radiotherapy?
Kindly give me your expert opinion. Thanks
Herceptin n perjeta aren’t bad. Those r a target therapy. I was on both. My tumor was under the nipple. I had the option of a lumpsectomy w radiation OR a mastectomy. Either way I was going to lose the nipple due to where tumor was. We went w a double mastectomy. I suggest researching this cuz it’s an involved surgery n after care is detailed. They took 3 sentinel nodes n 1 auxiliary. Mine came clear. I am numb under that arm but otherwise ok. If you have questions please let me. 🙏🏻💙💚
@@1979hellcat hi merry Christmas and happy new year 🎊 how are you now? I am going to do double mastectomy on my both breast. And reconstruction later on. I am scared of being painful more than chemotherapy though
Would this therapy be an option for me if my receptors are ER + PR + Her 2 neg and axillary lymph node positive ??? I'm so scared !!
A definitive maybe. Complicated situation. Very important to ask your surgeon and medical oncologist this question.
@@BreastCancerSchoolforPatients Ok!! Thank you so much ! This sure has been an life altering diagnosis. Just diagnosed July 15 th. The waiting for results is terrifying etc. !!! I hope I have a good prognosis still with Estrogen + receptors !!!
Mary Ray I hope u r doing well. ❤️
@@1979hellcat Thanks for thinking of me :) Yes, I'm finished with active treatments and doing great!! Also, grateful for every day I'm still here!
Mary Ray it’s ok to be scared. Have faith.💚 u got this! N you’re welcome!
What about the studies , where they say chemo before surgery may metastasis ,causing the cancer to spread ? Is there any risks ? Are these treatments confirmed or just being tested on people?
gg glo idk about studies but I would definitely talk to an oncologist about it.
I have stage two HER2 triple positive breast cancer. I’m getting chemo first.
Stacie Jo Miller how are you now? I’ve just been diagnosed
Stacie Jo Miller I don’t really have any tips. Just eat when u don’t feel like eating. Stay hydrated. Keep lotion on your skin - especially hands n feet. Eat healthy n not spicy foods. I handled it pretty well but everyone is different n be sure to always have Claritin on ya - regular Claritin - for the shot
Josiah Venson what stage are u?
@@1979hellcat I don’t know yet , they won’t stage me until after surgery . I have 1 more chemo , then surgery in January .
@@1979hellcat how are you these days ? Finish with chemo ? Had surgery yet ?
This guy is a jerk. Yells at you, demeans you and is very arrogant.