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Q: Because my stage 1 cancer is "triple positive" I will start chemotherapy as well as Herceptin treatments. How will I know if my tumor even responds to the chemo drugs and is not resistant to them?
Hi - Since you're apparently doing chemo prior to surgery, your doctor will be able to tell, probably via MRI, if the tumor is shrinking, and thus responding to the chemo. Discuss the entire process with your doctor though, OK? S/he will be able to give you much more specific informaiton regarding your treatment than any of us here could. Good luck - PJH
Well, I can tell you that chemo is generally more effective for women with a triple negative diagnosis than it is for women with hormone-responsive cancer. Your doctor is indeed "going by the book" - but then, what else can s/he do, other than take the available data and use it to make the best decision possible? Sounds like you have a diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer; and your screen name gives me a hint at your age, which is actually good; getting diagnosed later rather than earlier usually means a better prognosis. So, all in all, I think you're on a good course... Yes, the chemo may result in some side effects; possibly long-term. Your job is to weigh the possibility of long-term side effects against the protection chemo will probably offer. Tough decision, I know... and only you can make it. Best of luck to you - PJH
Thank you, again, for a detailed reply. Perhaps I am mixing apples and oranges, however I've heard of many tests to determine whether a specific tumor will react to specific drugs. There is the Onctoype - that my surgeon decined to send a sample since I am getting chemo, anyway, because of the HER2. I just wonder whether there is a way to determine, ahead of time, whether these specific drugs: taxotare and carboplatin - can, indeed, kill my cancer cells.
I am starting next week, so I hope for the best. Again, thank you for your time and effort and good wishes.
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Thank you for replying. No, I've already had my lumpectomy. This is how it was determined that mine is stage 1 - less than 2 cm and no lymph nodes involved.
This is the problem that I have with oncologists: they follow the "recipes book." HER2 positive of stage 1 get treated with TCH regime. And, understandably, they interact with patients on the level of "you will be OK, even with the chemo and the Herceptin" with its own severe side effects. I would like to know more. Thanks, I will try to corner my oncologist.