Estrogenn/Progesterone Negative...er/pr-

Andee

Hi,

I have IDC, 3.5 cm tumor, 0/3 sentinel lymph nodes, Stage II, Grade 3, very agressive, er/pr-, Her-2Neu-. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on 9/23/04. Already met with Radiation onc and Medical Onc. Having CAT scans and bone scan tomorrow. Already have some recommendations for treatment.

I was wondering what treatment you had.

Thanks,

Andee

Lee · Guest

Andee,
I'm very sorry to hear of your dx. I am also a stage ll had a 2.4 cm tumor one + node, I am er +/pr - and a her2nu +++. I just finished 4 months of dose dense chemo - 4 A/C and 4 Taxol . I will be starting 7 weeks of rads in a week or so.
If there is anything I can do to help please let me know. I will say a prayer for you. I know this is all very hard but you can make it through this. I did and I really thought it was the end of the world. Best to you.

Lee

DJ56 · Guest

Andee,

I, too, have been recently diagnosed with intraductal and invasive adenocarcinoma, with a 2cm tumor, found in the breast tissue surrounding the tumor and in the sentinel node and one other node. I was told by my surgeon that I was a stage 2. I had sentinel node biopsy and a partial mastectomy on 9/29, but have not yet seen the oncologists.
I've been looking for more information on being her2 neg, and er/pr neg, and this is the only thread I've found so far.

"Physicians often examine hormone receptors in breast cancer cells at the time of biopsy or breast surgery to determine whether estrogen receptors (ER-positive) or progesterone receptors (PR-positive) are present. [b]Patients whose cancers have ER or PR-positive receptors tend to have a better prognosis than patients whose cancers do not have these receptors.[/b] Cancers with ER or PR-positive receptors are also much more likely to respond to chemotherapy or hormone treatment."

I sure wish this wasn't so scary. I can feel myself take a nose dive mentally when I read stuff like this. I've been watching this thread and hoping that someone posts something hopeful here. Somewhere, someone had posted about it being a good thing to be er/pr neg. Confused

In addition to all this, while I was recovering from my surgery, my boss replaced me. I was working as a temp-to-perm and although she initially told me she would work with me and around my schedule, she evidently changed her mind. She told me she needs someone to be there 40 hours a week, and I simply can not be there 40 hours a week right now. I haven't even STARTED my treatment let alone healed from my surgery.

Crying or Very sad

DJ

Andee · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 7:11 pm Post subject: DJ

DJ,

What I have researched so far is that er-/pr- responds to chemo better than er+/pr+. There is a thread on breastcancer.org which I found and moved closer to the top. I can't remember what forum under but search forums for oestrogen. Whoever started the thread didn't realize she put an "o" at the beginning. I did get some information there. Oh, go to my profile and see all the posts I've made. You should find the thread there.

Good luck to you.

I'm going for my second onc appt. this Thurs. where I need to talk more about chemo and then I'll decide what to do. I am against chemo because of the other medical problems I have and chemo is only going to make them worse, if there is a worse.

Andee

MuttsMom · Guest

Hi Andee,
With you being er - and Grade 3, I'd be really surprised if they didn't do chemo. Have you considered a mastectomy vs. a lumpectomy? That way if there are any stray cells in the breast tissue, the mastectomy would get rid of them. I opted for a masectomy (age 43) and then had the other breast removed last May. I had Lobular which is more prone to mirror itself in the other breast, but for me, it wasn't worth not having the mastectomy for the reason I said in the beginning. I realize you are the only one that can make the right decision for you, but wanted to bring it up about stray cells.
I've known alot of ladies with diabetes and oe that has a pacemaker that went through chemo. I don't know what your other medical problems are and I'm not trying to pry. They do an echo or muga scan before chemo to check the heart valves. There are some chemos that have less side affects the others. I would definately not rule out chemo as it's the best thing we have going for us right now. Also because you can't take Tamoxefin or Arimidex or one of those since you're er/pr- I'm sure the onco will want to treat aggressively, but also carefully and will look at your other health issues.
Some handle chemo better then others. I never threw up, but had nausea and my biggest thing was fatigue and some neuropathy, but there is meds for that if needed. They have more nausea meds now then even when I was going through it, about 2 1/2 years ago.
This is scary no matter how you look at it and I get nervous before my check ups even though it's been 2 1/2 years and I'm sure I always will, but we have to do everything possible to stop this beast from coming back.
If you still have concerns about chemo and your health problems, you can always get a 2nd opinon. If you have heart problems, just as an example, your cardiologist will be consulted and he'll get a copy of all the reports. You will be in the hands of many who are they to help you.
Take care and keep us posted
Nancy

Andee · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 8:24 pm Post subject: Nancy

Nancy,

All my doctors are pushing chemo. They knew at the beginning that I was against chemo. You're not prying. 7 years ago, I was diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, an incurable bladder disease that won't kill me, it justs make my life miserable all the time and I spend more time in the bathrom then anywhere else. A couple of months later, I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathies and muscle weakness in my arms, hands, legs, feet and back which has made me almost bed ridden.

My onc recommended chemo of MLF (Methotrexate, Leucovorin and 5-FU). This chemo regimen is twice a month for six months. I can't have Cytoxan or anything similar because it would cause my bladder to bleed and make my interstitial cystitis worse than it is already. I am also afraid of more extreme neuropathies and muscle weakness than I already have. My urologist and oncologist said we'll deal with it, but I am allergic to so many drugs that they both know that will be difficult to do. I do know what my chances are if I don't do chemo. I already had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy and the 3 nodes were clean and the tumor margins were clean. I just had a Bone Scan and CAT Scans and they were clean. I'm starting Mammosite Radiation (Brachytherapy) starting the end of next week. Then I'll decide whether I have chemo or not. Most women fight this as hard as they can. I feel I have to do what I feel is good for me.

Congratulations on being 2-1/2 years NED.

Andee

Guest · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 8:38 am Post subject: Re: DJ

[quote="Andee"]What I have researched so far is that er-/pr- responds to chemo better than er+/pr+.[/quote]

That's true and it's because er-/pr- breast cancer is usually more aggressive then er+/pr+, meaning the cells are dividing more rapidly. Chemo is most effective on cancers that are rapidily dividing. The more rapidly dividing the cells are, the better chemo works for it. It's not that chemo doesn't help less aggressive cancers...just that it's the most effective on the more aggressive ones. Many of the side effects from chemo are the result of it's effect on the bodys normal cells that are also rapidly dividing. The GI tract from the mouth all the way to the anus, the hair, fingernails, and bone marrow etc, all contain rapidly dividing cells.

Pastor Rich

[quote="Lee"]I just finished 4 months of dose dense chemo - 4 A/C and 4 Taxol . I will be starting 7 weeks of rads in a week or so.

Lee[/quote]

Hello Lee;

How was your reaction to the dose dense?? My wife has been told she is likely to have chemo weekly for 6 months. We see the oncologist for the 1st time later today.

Blessings,
Pastor Rich

Lee · Guest

Pastor Rich,
My chemo was every two weeks, th e A/C part was hard but it was doable and some of my problems were from my crohns disease. I was VERY tired on the A/C also. The second round which was Taxol was easier then the first. The anti nausea meds are so good today that it makes chemo alot easier then it used to be. I will say a prayer for you and your wife that all goes well.The best to you both.

Lee

MuttsMom · Guest

Andee,
I hope you didn't think I was telling you what to do. Ultimately the decision is yours about chemo or not. I was just letting you know from my experience, they keep a real close eye on you and there are chemos that are easier on certain organs etc.
Please forgive me if I came across as telling you what to do.
Hugs
Nancy

Andee · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:39 am Post subject: Nancy

Nancy,

I didnn't think you were telling me what to do. I welcome everyone's opinion.

I met with my onc for the second time Thurs 10/21. We discussed his recommended chemo for me (MLF) and how it would or could affect my bladder and neuropathies which should be little or none (we hope). I am having a balloon catheter for Mammosite Radiation and the port for chemo done this coming Tuesday, 10/26. If I decide not to have chemo, then I'll just have the port taken out, but I wanted both done at the same time instead of having to go back to have it inserted..

I do the mammosite radiation first and then I'll make the decision about chemo.

Just wanted to let you know I appreciated your comments.

Hugs,

Andee

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