Do you have chemo for every triple negative invasive diagnosis?

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I have been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma triple negative 10mm grade 2 

Will they offer me chemo? 
I have heard that ALL invasive triple neg patients have chemo - is the is true? 
I am scared I won’t be offered it as it’s 10mm and I’m having surgery first! Basically I’m shitting myself and want every chance to survive - sorry  but thanks if you can help

  • Hi  

    I had chemo after a lumpectomy to remove my Grade 3 TNBC, but this was only because cancer cells were present in one of the sentinel lymph nodes removed. If there hadn't been cancer cells present in the SLN then I wouldn't have been offered chemo.

    What you need to remember is that everyone's treatment is tailor made for them. You'll only be offered treatment if there is a benefit to you.

    So the quick answer to your question is no, not all TNBC patients have chemo.

    Wishing you all the best

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  • I am sorry you find yourself here and understand how scary it is. I was offered chemo for a grade 3 18mm TNBC tumour without lymph node involvement. It’s normal to have surgery first for small tumours and what they actually find will be an input into their recommendations. Everything they do is evidence based so if they don’t recommend chemo it will be because the risks outweigh the benefits. 

  • Hi 

    I had a lumpectomy first for grade 3 16mm TNBC then chemo and radio. The team will decide best course of action for you after they have looked at everything . Good luck with you’re journey x

  • Hi I was told locally that if I had a mastectomy I would not need chemo.  However I was under Guy's hospital for genetic counselling and asked to be referred there.  I was hot happy with the local service.  My breast surgeon at Guy's said with  TNBC I would have to have chemo.  I was stage 1 and grade 3. 

    I can only advise getting a second opinion if you aren't happy with the medical view.

    All the best

    ricki
  • Great thank you Ricki xx 

  • In my case (triple negative) as well they started with chemo and finished my treatment with surgery. Mine was also quite small, but they said this type of cancer grows quickly which is why I was put on chemo pretty much a week after the diagnosis. From my understanding, this type of cancer reacts to chemo really well - by really well, I mean it shrinks very quickly on chemo. Mine basically disappeared. They did a quadrantectomy three weeks ago and I am still waiting for the histopathologic results - a bit scared but staying positive. I'm pretty sure I will also have radiotherapy. I'm sure your doctors will decide on the best type of treatment for you - all the best!

  • Update - thank you everyone xx 

    i start chemo next week (PC EC) 18 weeks and then surgery and possibly radio