Does TNBC always mean Chemo?

You might hear people talking about the OncoDX test, which gives back a score to indicate whether chemo is likely to be beneficial or not. However, it only works on hormone positive tumours. There is a similar test called Mammaprint, designed for TNBC, but I don’t know whether a hospital in Spain would fund it. The NHS doesn’t fund it in the UK. I considered paying to have it done, but decided I wouldn’t want to receive a result that said I was at high risk of recurrence. 

I think your best bet is to see what the oncologist recommends (if they do), and to understand how strongly they are recommending it and why. If they do make a strong recommendation of chemo, it’s quite doable. 

Thanks as always for your great advice.  I’ll see what he has to say and then decide.  I’d guess if Mammaprint expensive then probably not available as standard here.  I’ll ask his advice,

I was diagnosed with in between stages 2-3 in October, started chemo in January, I have to have 6-8 cycles and then surgery afterwards which could be breast conserving or mastectomy. I was told because my age if 42 I would get the benefits of chemo and it would be better to have it earlier. I am also having immunotherapy. 

it is complicated, and everyone seems to have different plans when I read on here. 

lucky to not have many symptoms so far after first cycle, but not looking forward to starting EC on fourth cycle after reading what people have been going through. 

hope you’re ok. 

 Keepingfaith12 I'm on my third EC, and while it's certainly no picnic, you get through it and move forward hun. Got 12 paclitaxel next then radiotherapy, which will hopefully see me finished June this year.Stay strong and focus on the prize at the end and you'll get there hun 

Thank you, I’m in the Paclitaxel now alongside carboplatin and immunotherapy. I have been ok on those apart from initial tiredness so hopefully it will be better for you. 

Hi there, well my head is truly messed with today.  Had my first appointment with my oncologist who went through my pathology results post op.  It seems I am NOT Triple Negative after all.  My results are low but not low enough for TNBC classification.  I certainly didn’t expect to hear that, he assures me that my prognosis is good.  He recommended Prosigna testing to evaluate treatment options.  Says depending on results it will be chemo plus rads, or hormone plus rads.  I’ll have my results and treatment plan in 3 weeks.  

Hi Ochno   Not being TNBC, no matter how marginally, sounds very good news. Far more treatment options and generally better prognosis. 

I was totally dumbfounded, I didn’t expect it at all. I didn’t even know it was a possibility.  I’m meeting up with him again on 24th of February to discuss Prosigna results and treatment plan going forward.  They’ve moved my treatment from our local hospital to the Regional University Womens Hospital in Malaga.  A bit of a way to travel but well worth it in terms of care,  

Hi Hugie, I was originally diagnosed with hormonal bc in early September. The cancer was small about 2.5 cm was given a lumpectomy and breast reduction at the same time.

Cancer had not spread to lymph and was not expecting to have chemo until many weeks later and further testing they have confirmed that my cancer is actually TNBC.  A bit of a shock as we know this type of cancer is aggressive and not as much research in my opinion.

Speaking with my consultant they highly recommended chemo and then radiotherapy and finally bone injections every 6 months.

I have just had my 3rd round of chemo it is harsh treatment with some horrible side effects but if it gives me the best chance of survival then this is what I have to do.  I am 54 years old.

Wishing you all the best 

Hi Better, 

Seems we are in similar straits, both 54, both tnbc caught early, both halfway thru chemo. I just finished with EC and start paclitaxel/carbo and keytruda next week. EC has been hard, especially the filgrastim and steroids but as you say, we just have to get through it and hopefully emerge out the other side as unscathed as possible. 

Here's to getting to the end and being NED 

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