Chemotherapy before operation grade 2 ductal breast cancer

Hi there

New to this, just diagnosed on 27 April, do not know the stage, 4cm lump ductal, grade 2, in lymph node... , have been told I will be getting chemotherapy before a lumpectamy. I looked up I think it's called neo adjuvant therapy? 

 Really worried my immune system will be shot down before the operation, so might not heal the same/make it!!  All others seem to have to operation and then either chemotherapy or other treatments after. 

I kind of understand the reasoning with doing it this way with covid 19...but am absolutely terrified, have any others had treatment this way around please?

Oncologist appt on Monday, so any advice!/help/info would be hugely appreciated!!   

Thank you 

A. 

 

 

Parents
  • Hello, I just saw your post and wanted to let you know that having chemo before surgery is very common especially for bigger tumours and if there is lymph nodes involved. I am about 6 months ahead of you in my treatment. I was diognosed in Oct last year 4.5 cm lump in breast with one confirmed lymph node. I’m HER2 positive. I had 4 rounds of EC chemo followed by 4 rounds of docetaxol. After the first two infusions my lump had reduced to nearly half and the lymph node no longer looked cancerous under ultrasound. After 6 rounds the doctor could no longer find the lump on ultrasound. I won’t lie the chemo is tough and because it’s accumulative the side effects get worse the more you have ( well for me they did). But chemo is so worth it and will kill any microscopic cancer cells in your body. I had a lumpectomy mammoplasty on the 22 April, just 3 weeks after my last chemo. I’m still a bit sore and tender. still have a few side effects from chemo. I have an appointment with oncologist next week to talk about radiotherapy and I also need to start have herceptin again which is the target drug for HER2 + which I will continue to have for a year.

    There is lots of information on here to help you through it. If you have any questions for me  I’m happy to answer or help if I can. 

    fishnchips 

  • Hi Fishnchips,

    Thank you for your helpful, frank honest and open response.   That is great news that you have had such wonderful results with the treatment... Well done for getting through all that.   It really helps to hear from others with similar situations 

    Thank you, I will no doubt have many questions but, just now my mind is mush, trying to think what, if anything, I should  ask the Oncologist tomorrow.. 

    I hope your recovery continues well, and you are not sore for much longer..  Take care and stay safe. 

    Kind wishes 

    Angela x

     

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Reply
  • Hi Fishnchips,

    Thank you for your helpful, frank honest and open response.   That is great news that you have had such wonderful results with the treatment... Well done for getting through all that.   It really helps to hear from others with similar situations 

    Thank you, I will no doubt have many questions but, just now my mind is mush, trying to think what, if anything, I should  ask the Oncologist tomorrow.. 

    I hope your recovery continues well, and you are not sore for much longer..  Take care and stay safe. 

    Kind wishes 

    Angela x

     

    . 

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