Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 7/17/2009

Question
i was treated for medullary carcinoma of breast with lumpectomy,8 cycles of chemo[ac+docetaxol]followed by radiation.it was stage 2-A with no lymph nodes.now i am
feeling well.iam 42 yrs old.i missed my periods due to chemo's and some times feels hot flashes.my questions are
1.what is the follow up treatment for coming 5 years?
2.will the frequency of doctor's visits be more in first two years?
3.i'am not on hormonal treatment as i'am triple negative.could you suggest any medicines for controlling hot flashes?is taking calcium every day necessary?
4.will i get back my periods?as i am in hope of getting back b'cause i'am just 42 yrs and completed my treatment just 6 months back.
5.i,am getting back my hair but curly which is different from original.why?
i'll be grateful if you help me in getting solution to my problems.  

Answer
1. Regular visits to your dr to follow up your case. In the beginning every 3 months or so, later with longer intervals, finally if your dr. follows the same procedure as here after 5 years or so once per year. In most cancers you can feel rather safe after 5 years without relapse. Not so with breast cancer or malignant melanoma. There we have seen relapses after more than 30 years. However at the same time there is a high CURE rate in the early cases approaching close to 90% in North America, Europe, Israel, Australia, New Zealand and parts of South Africa. Probably also in some other places like parts of India.
2. Yes see above. 3. No that should be dealt with by a gynecologist or a gynecological oncologist or possibly by an endocrinologist. 4. Perhaps but I can not guarantee that at your age. 5. That is not unusual. Some even change hair colour. It is the same after radiation therapy to the head. No one knows why. But it does happen now & then.