Breast Cancer/Breast Cancer

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Expert: - 7/15/2008


Question
I have just been diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer Stage I (tumor 1.8cm), Grade 3, no lymph node involvement.  I have had a lumpectomy with clean margins and I plan to do radiation therapy within the next few weeks.

I don't want to do Chemotherapy because I am 68 years old and have been recovering from a nervous breakdown, preceded by the removal of an embryonic teratoma in my upper palate.
I am going to have a PET scan and of course blood marker work.  I was just at the point of recovery from the teratoma and nervous breakdown when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The numbers they gave me were:  Over the period of ten years,my chances of survival were 70% with radiation and no chemo.  My chances over ten years would improve only by 8.7% if I had chemo.  I don't believe it is worth it.

Please advise.....thank you so much.

Answer
Well, the choice is yours so it is your decision! But you are asking me! If the choice was mine I would accept chemo therapy! A difference of almost 9% is actually quite a lot and with a triple negative tumor (anti) hormonal therapy is not possible so your only remaining option would be chemo and if it is to be done with any possibility of a cure it is NOW it should be done NOT later, then it is too late! Ok?

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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