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Breast Cancer/Neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy
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Question
Dear Dr Nordquist,
I have been given 2 different opinions for the chemotherapy treatment portion of my breast cancer.
I am 48 years old, my tumor is approximately 3.5 cm is an invasive duct carcinoma that has reached the axilla lymph node.
Both doctors agree that we should use neoadjuvant chemotherapy to attempt to shrink my tumor to make a lumpectomy possible.
One doctor proposes dose dense AC followed by dose dense Taxol - ALL prior to surgery.
The other doctor proposes dose dense AC followed by surgery followed by dose dense Taxol AFTER surgery.
Which direction do you think I shold go? Are there survival benefits either way?
Thank you so much,
CD
This was difficult! I'll just complicate your situation even more by having a third opinion - or rather a mixture of both - since I happen to believe that chemotherapy (or perhaps radiation therapy) is necessary to shrink your tumor before surgery (hopefully a lumpectomy) but ALSO after surgery to increase your chances of a cure. I have not considered it fully yet but think - at the moment - that I see no reason to make the chemotherapy before and after any different so in that case both AC & Taxol would be used one way or another both before and after. I'm sorry for the complication I cause!
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 9 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Dear Dr Nordquist, Thank you for your response. Even though you kind of gave me a 3rd opinion - what I do get from your advice is that you believe chemotherapy before AND after surgery is important. So - even that much helps. Thank you | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.
Expertise
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.
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Education/Credentials
I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.
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