Is chemo or hormone therapy best for my grandma's cancer?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My 69-year-old grandmother was recently diagnosed with HR-positive breast cancer. Her doctor suggested chemotherapy along with hormone therapy, and I am trying to understand why chemotherapy would still be needed. I thought hormone therapy was the main approach for HR-positive cases.
- What can we expect from the chemotherapy process?
- How can we help her manage any side effects?
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and can understand your concern.
Your grandmother has been diagnosed with HR-positive (hormone receptor-positive) breast cancer. I would like to inquire about any additional tests, such as an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a PET (positron emission tomography) scan, to determine if the disease has spread (metastasis). Also, what is the size of the tumor?
I would like to inform you that this type of tumor is estrogen and progesterone hormone receptor-positive, which generally has a better prognosis compared to hormone receptor-negative tumors. The treatment for it typically involves chemotherapy combined with hormonal therapy for about three to four months.
Chemotherapy is suggested for the following reasons:
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Kill cancer cells and prevent their spread.
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Reduce the size of the tumor, which may later allow for an option to remove just the lump and preserve the breast.
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Address cases where the tumor has already spread to other parts of the body.
The side effects of chemotherapy may include the following:
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Nausea.
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Vomiting.
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Anemia.
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Fatigue.
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Diarrhea or constipation.
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Hair loss.
However, these side effects can generally be managed with medication.
I hope you find this information helpful. Please let me know if you need further assistance.
Thank you.
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