I am 77 yo. I'm being treated for IDC in Germany. There are differences. After breast conserving surgery and lymphedectomy of 18 nodes, showing a 1.2 cm breast tumor and one positive node, I was advised not to take chemo but to go directly to radiation therapy. My surgeon said only one person in ten in my case is helped by chemo. I am so optimistic I thought he meant 90% of people in my case would not need chemo. I did not undergo chemo. I have just completed 6 weeks radiation. However - now that I have time to research I see my tumor markers are so high - Ki-67 is 40, for instance, that he must have meant only 10% could be saved by chemo in my case. Are tumor markers that indicative? Should I go back and take chemo now - or just wait?
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Q: I skipped chemo - went directly from lumpectomy to radiation. Now I see tumor marker index is high.
Answers (1)
1/ 2/09 4:23pm
Wanda, you need some clarity from your doctor about what exactly he meant. I'd be surprised if your doctor was willing to NOT treat you because he expected you to have a bad outcome... that sounds kind of backwards. How about treating, and seeing if it works?
That said, I understand that the Ki-67 tumor markers can vary a lot, as to what's considered high. So - you really do need to discuss this with your doctor. There are a lot of variables in any breast cancer case, and only you and your doctor can see the whole picture.
Bottom line, I think chemo can be administered anytime, so I wouldn't say it's too late. Were you able to take the Oncotype DX test? That's a good test for determining how much chemo will help you.
Good luck- PJH
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By Wanda McCollar— Last Modified: 11/16/10, First Published: 01/02/09
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