1st Oncologist Advice

Today, I met Dr Christina Ng at Sunway Medical Centre, to discuss about the treatments that she will suggest to me if I decided to undergo the treatments under her supervision.

She made a call to Prince Court Medical Centre. After getting the detailed lab result of the tumor, that was not printed in the pathology report, she suggested the 3 most popular and common therapies to me, as expected. They are chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. Therapy will be carry one one after another. Chemotherapy will start first. Chemotherapy is suggested due to I am fall into young age category.

The discussion, somehow is a bit disappointed me, although this is the expected result. Some online articles and information gave me hopes that I might not need chemo and radiation base on my pathology report. But the result of discussion is in opposition.

Chemotherapy
6 cycles, 3 weeks once.
Will finish in about 4 months time.
The quality of drug that they are using will not cause much nausea, but hair lost is confirm.
Will cause < 1% heart damage.
In most cases, other organs will recover after chemotherapy.
Should start on 16 or 17 Feb 2011.
Total cost is about RM20K.

Radiation
25 sessions, finish in about 5 weeks, from Monday to Friday.
Using external beam.
The good radiation machine / chemical material will not cause damage to lung and other organs.
Focus on the whole breast.
Total cost is about RM12K.

Hormone Therapy
Tamoxifen will be used, which to stop the body from making estrogen.
Menses will be stopped.
Side effect similar to menopause.