Breast cancer lumpectomy-radiotherapy-chemo timeframe

My mum got her results, she has a tiny 16mm tumour in her right breast & not two as previously thought 

Surgeon said they had caught it early. 

All other blood tests and cat scans throughout her body are clear of cancer. 

He said at she has the aggressive fast growing cancer and has recommended the following : lumpectomy & lympnodes removed under right arm followed by radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy 

mum doesn't know what to expect, is the lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy normal procedure?

does anyone have any experience of this treatment plan?

does anyone know or have experienced not losing your hair on head using this treatment plan?

how many sessions of radiotherapy & chemo is normal?

she goes into hospital Monday any help and advise will be much appreciated 

 

thank you 

  • Offline in reply to Soo

    Hi yes of course you can ask whatever you need. I had stage 2 breast cancer, had lumpectomy may 2018 & 4 wks radiotherapy. 
    how about you? 

  • Offline in reply to Sd1

    Hi 

    I've been diagnosed reasently Stage1b,grade2 ,I am waiting for MRI before surgery which is on this coming Wednesday .My surgeon said I need surgery and radiotherapy base on what he said I do not need chemotherapy.This waiting time is really killing me ,my thought is full of bad things.I am having a really hard time.i am glad you had your treatment done and I hope you are doing ok.

  • Offline in reply to Soo

    Hi I know exactly what you mean & how you're feeling, I was exactly the same, so many emotions & always thinking about it. 

    The waiting is the worst part but at least you're operation is in a few days & you can then concentrate on getting yourself rested + well again. Keeping as positive as possible is what got me through although it's hard. 

    I hope your surgery goes well & I felt such relief after that part was over & again getting the confirmation they'd removed all cancer.

    Best wishes with everything & don't hesitate to get in touch if you need a chat.

    Sue

     

  • Hello

    Sue d kept me going with her sensible advice.  I had grade 2 cancer and had my op and one lymp gland and the lump removed.  It hadn't spread and I had clear magins around the lump they removed.  Start 3 weeks of radiotherapy on 28th Jan.  Also started on anti eostogen tablets.  All seem to be going well so far.  

    I freaked out on occasions as it really does get to you.  Best to do things to take your mind off things.  I was busy going to theatre, cinema and going to the gym.  Don't over think things, easier said than done.

    The operation is nothing to worry about, they put a pain block in my shoulder and I kept topped up with pain killers.  I showered twice a day and changed bra twice a day.  No infection and healed beautifully.  

    You will be fine.  Try not to worry.

    Sue x

     

  • Thanks,so far base on the mammogram and ultrasound and biopsy results ,there is no sign of spreading to lymph nodes,my HER2 was borderline which they sent it to lab for further test and I am ER positive as well but my lump is big about 2.8 cm and this is  worrying me a lot.
    Thank you for your helpful advise.I am glad you surgery went ok .Take care.xx

  • Offline in reply to Soo

    Great news it's not gone to lymph. My lump was 1.9cm  so smaller but at the Side/top of the top of breast so wasn't too much spare tissue to take to make sure all was removed. My surgeon was fab & did a great job. 

    as sue suggested try to keep busy I know it's hard as your mind comes back to it all the time. Keep strong & positive. 
     

    you will get through this. Day at a time 

    xx

  • Hi, sorry to hear about your mum.

    i was diagnosed with two lumps in same breast one grade 1 & the other grade 2. I had lumpectomy and a couple of lymph nodes removed on 7th April which recovery from was fine, they then found in the results from that over 40mm of ductul carcinoma in situ which in one area they weren't happy with the margin. They re operated to remove more and hopefully meet the margins on the 4th May, again healing was fine but i was left quite wiped out from the two GA's being so close together. I've not had an exact treatment plan moving forward yet but radiotherapy and oestrogen blocking tablets for 5-10 yrs has previously been discussed. I'll be hopefully finding out my treatment plan on the 20th.

     

    Hope your mums treatment goes well.