Post chemo MRI - breast cancer

Hi I have my 8th and final chemo today for breast cancer. ER+ HER2+ one 2cm lump no lymph node involvement. My lump had shrunk 25% at half way scan but I am worried as I have my MRI Sunday and I can still feel the lump. Could this mean the chemo hasn't worked as expected? For some reason I expected not to be able to feel it at all. I am meeting with surgeon next Wednesday to discuss lumpectomy! 

  • Sending you good luck and big hugs 

    love Lara ️

  • Hello and thanks for posting,

    I am sorry to learn that you are having treatment for breast cancer.

    Breast cancers don't always completely go away to nothing when chemotherapy is given before surgery, but they can shrink down a lot. It sounds like your cancer has responded so the treatment is working.  

    I am not sure if the lump you can feel is only made up of cancer cells or if it could be other sorts of cells or dead tissue that the body hasn't been able to deal with yet. MRIs are generally better than physical examinations at assessing how well chemotherapy has worked, so I think most probably you need to wait for the scan results to find out more. Do talk this over with your surgeon as well when you see them on Wednesday.

    Please give us a ring if you want to talk anything over,  the number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are around weekdays, 9-5.

    Wishing you the best,

    Julia

  • Thanku so much! Hopefully after the MRI I will have a better idea!