Pathological Complete Response?
Printed From: TNBC Foundation
Category: TNBC Forums
Forum Name: Let's Talk About Chemotherapy
Forum Description: A place to discuss Chemotherapy
URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=10884
Printed Date: Mar 26 2026 at 9:07pm
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Topic: Pathological Complete Response?
Posted By: sweetpickle
Subject: Pathological Complete Response?
Date Posted: Jan 30 2013 at 6:09pm
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I'm curious how many people had a PCR their first time around with chemo? My tumor measured 4.3cm before starting A/C and it's down to about 2cm after two A/C treatments. Do they tend to continue to shrink if they are showing a good response to the chemo? Is this a good indicator for the future? Thanks!  ------------- 11/13/12 DX TNBC, BRCA 1+ Grade 3, 4.3cm tumor, susp. node under arm, 4 A/C biweekly & 4 Taxol biweekly |
Replies:
Posted By: rosered71169
Date Posted: Jan 30 2013 at 7:41pm
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I did have a PCR after chemotherapy treatment. I had six TAC treatments followed by a bilateral mastectomy. Originally I had a 1.5 cm tumor and two positive nodes. I did have an MRI halfway through my treatments and they saw no tumors! When the tissue was removed and tested there were no cancerous cells found. Chemotherapy for TNBC can be very rough on your whole body including those nasty cancer cells. If your tumor is shrinking I would think that is a very good sign. Think positive thoughts and I will keep you in my prayers!
------------- IDC 2-21-2012 @ age 42 TNBC, Stage IIA, Gr 3, 1.5cm Tumor Rt Breast, 3 Lymph Nodes, Neoadj Chemo, TACx6,BRCA Neg, Bilateral Mastectomy 7-30-12, 28 Rads, Bilateral DIEP 5-22-13...3 Beautiful Daughters |
Posted By: debB
Date Posted: Jan 30 2013 at 7:54pm
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Hi Sweetpickle, My tumor was probably about the size of yours when I started chemo. I did the standard 4AC and 12 Taxol. All the work-up before surgery showed no tumor, but the final path showed 2mm residual disease. It also showed some cells had made it to a node but chemo knocked them out. I believe the stats for TN are in the neighborhood of 30% achieve a pCR, which has a much better prognosis. If I remember correctly, I also seem to recall that BRCA+ women have a higher pCR rate. Sounds like a good indicator that chemo is doing it's job! Go get 'em girl!! Deb ------------- Dx 4/29/11, 46 yrs old, 3.9 cm tumor, Stg 2 Grade 3 chemo 4 rounds DD AC, 12 weekly taxol, finish. Lumpectomy, 2mm residual tumor. 37 rounds rads completed. Cisplatin/PARP trial |
Posted By: sweetpickle
Date Posted: Jan 30 2013 at 8:38pm
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Thanks guys! Hoping for even more shrikage with round three a/c this week! ------------- 11/13/12 DX TNBC, BRCA 1+ Grade 3, 4.3cm tumor, susp. node under arm, 4 A/C biweekly & 4 Taxol biweekly |