I had a bilateral mastectomy and have taken two treatments of Taxotere and Cytoxan. My oncologist is discontinuing my chemotherapy because I am having severe side effects with regards to my liver. Am I just a lost cause. I had two positive lymphnodes and my tumors were 1 cm and below.
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Q: I have stage 2 breast cancer from treatment of Hodgkins lymphoma 22 years ago.
Answers (2)
10/19/09 7:47pm
Pamela, I'm sorry your earlier treatments led to this cancer, but I'm sure you are well aware that without those treatments, you probably wouldn't be alive to fight your current problem. Your previous cancer treatment is probably making your current treatment plan more complicated because there are some drugs and treatments that have a lifetime limit.
However, a Stage 2 breast cancer is certainly not a lost cause even with the positive lymph nodes. If your current oncologist doesn't have any ideas about a different treatment that will be kinder to your liver, please get a second opinion. If your tumor was ER pos, there is the possibility of some of the hormonal treatments. If it is Her2neu pos, you might be a candidate for Herceptin. Different chemo agents might also be possible. Are you a candidate for radiation? Even if there are no other medicines that are appropriate, remember that since your surgery, there is no known cancer in your body. It may well be that that the surgery got it all and that you will be fine for a long, long time.
8/ 1/10 8:11pm
I am also a survivor of Hodgkins disease with the aid of radiation. I had a heart attack about 17 to 18 years after treatment, thyroid cancer about 22 years after treatment, and now 27 years after treatment I have breast cancer. Radiation is not an option due to the fact you can not use radiation twice on the same section of the body. I have received 1 treatment of taxotere and Cytoxan. I have given up drinking and I heard aspargas is good for your liver. Blood work on liver function next week. My liver function wasn't normal going into this.
Julie
8/ 2/10 6:44am
unfortunately I recurred after my previous oncologist discontinued treatment. I found another oncologist willing to treat me, and I feel I am in good hands. I just finished #5 of 12 Abraxane treatments after doing 4 dose dense Adriamycin/Cytoxan treatments. I will do radiation after I finish the 12 Abraxane. I'm going back to my previous radiology oncologist that treated me when I had Hodgkins. She fixed me once, I have faith she will do it again.
Julie, hang in there..... I keep telling myself that the kids now adays who get HD have a better treatment plan because of what we suffered. I know it's difficult, and it seems so unfair, but there are so many treatment plans. You just have to find the right doctor who isn't afraid to push the envelope and think outside the box. We are special cases.....but we will win. ;) All my love and prayers......
Pamela
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By Pamela— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 10/19/09
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Julie, sorry you're having to go through this yet again... I hope you're early stage and that the CT will take care of it for you. Best of luck - PJH