Understanding Cancer and Plant-Based Diets: Key Foods and Tips
Cancer and Vegetarianism Hello, Director: I have a few questions I would like to ask you. 1. Since someone in my family has breast cancer, the doctor mentioned that hormone-containing foods should be avoided. Could you please advise which foods contain hormones? Thank you! 2. Wha...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Xiao Le: What you might be concerned about is the impact of female hormones on the development of breast cancer, right? Regardless of whether food is plant-based or animal-based, it is biological, and all biological substances contain hormones. However, the hormone levels in food...[Read More] Understanding Cancer and Plant-Based Diets: Key Foods and Tips
How Many Chemotherapy Sessions Are Necessary for Stage 2 Breast Cancer?
How many cycles of chemotherapy are needed? Hello Dr. Chen: My wife has stage II breast cancer, and the doctor informed us that she needs to undergo 4 cycles of chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. I have some concerns and contradictions. On one hand, fewer treatments may ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Dear Mr. Chen, Although the standard chemotherapy regimen for breast cancer typically consists of 6 cycles, there are also regimens that involve 4 cycles, which are considered standard treatment options as well. You may inquire with your attending physician whether there will be...[Read More] How Many Chemotherapy Sessions Are Necessary for Stage 2 Breast Cancer?
Understanding CEA and CA15-3 Levels After Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer, cancer index issues? Hello Doctor: My mother has stage III breast cancer and has completed four rounds of chemotherapy before surgery and six rounds after surgery. She has also just finished radiation therapy. I would like to ask about her lab results. Before the s...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Dear Xiao Guang, The normal range for CEA is 0-10.0, and for CA-153, it is approximately 0-31, though values may vary slightly between different hospitals. In this case, it cannot be concluded whether there are residual cancer cells based solely on these values. Generally, if th...[Read More] Understanding CEA and CA15-3 Levels After Breast Cancer Treatment
Post-Surgery Breast Cancer Treatment: Understanding Options and Concerns
Postoperative treatment for breast cancer? A month ago, my mother felt a small hard lump under her breast. She went to a nearby hospital for an examination, and the results indicated it was benign. However, feeling uneasy, she returned to Chung Shan Medical University for a more ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Dear Ms. Hui, 1. It is the patient's reasonable right to request a copy of the pathology report from the original treating hospital. Seeking a second opinion from another oncologist with this information is also a reasonable course of action, and the hospital and physician ...[Read More] Post-Surgery Breast Cancer Treatment: Understanding Options and Concerns
Diet and Nutrition Tips for Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Breast Cancer Diet Hello Dr. Chen: A relative in our family underwent breast cancer surgery last December and is about to start 8 sessions of chemotherapy. Are there two types of chemotherapy costs: one covered by health insurance and one out-of-pocket? Approximately how much do ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello Ping Ping, 1. Chemotherapy should be administered according to the stage of cancer; the medications used should correspond to the specific stage. Sometimes, in foreign countries, drug N is recommended for stage III, but domestically, it may not yet be covered. However, tra...[Read More] Diet and Nutrition Tips for Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Understanding Breast Cancer Staging: What Do y and Mx Mean?
The issue of breast cancer metastasis? Hello Dr. Chen: My mother had surgery a month ago and her AJCC stage is yT2N1aMx. I would like to ask what the "y" in front signifies. Also, I have checked that "Mx" means that it is not possible to determine if there are...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. "y" refers to pathological staging. 2. Pathological staging is determined by pathologists based on the specimens sent by the surgeon after surgery. Since the surgeon does not send the entire body for examination, but only the surgical specimen, the pathologist can on...[Read More] Understanding Breast Cancer Staging: What Do y and Mx Mean?
Understanding Xeloda Use for Breast Cancer with Bone Metastasis
Breast cancer treatment with Xeloda? I would like to ask about breast cancer with bone metastasis. Is there a time limit for the use of Xeloda? Is it because the disease condition may require a treatment duration of 2 to 3 years?
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Tina: If it is effective, it can certainly be used continuously, but after more than 2 years of use, the chances of it still being effective are quite low.[Read More] Understanding Xeloda Use for Breast Cancer with Bone Metastasis
Understanding Rising Cancer Markers in Stage III Breast Cancer
Questions about cancer markers? Hello, my mother has stage III breast cancer and is scheduled for surgery. She has already undergone four rounds of chemotherapy, but during her recent check-up, we found that her cancer markers are higher than before she started chemotherapy. Howe...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Dear Da-Ming, I apologize for the delay in my response as I am on leave this week. I hope you can come to my clinic on October 24 to discuss your concerns. Regarding the elevated cancer markers, it is important to note that not every increase indicates the presence of cancer, an...[Read More] Understanding Rising Cancer Markers in Stage III Breast Cancer
Understanding Breast Cancer Recurrence After Surgery: What You Need to Know
Breast cancer may recur after surgery? Description of the issue: My mother was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer three years ago and underwent surgery. After the surgery, her health gradually stabilized, and her mood improved. Seeing her happier made me feel more at ease as we...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Jane heard rumors that it's definitely false; taking anti-hormonal medication for 5 years has the same recurrence risk as taking it for 10 years, so there's no need to continue taking it. Continuing the medication won't reduce the chance of recurrence. She's o...[Read More] Understanding Breast Cancer Recurrence After Surgery: What You Need to Know
Understanding Breast Cancer Test Results: What You Need to Know
Regarding the breast cancer examination report content? Dear Doctor, My mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently undergoing treatment. The doctor mentioned that due to the large size of the tumor, she needs to undergo four cycles of chemotherapy before surge...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
The good news is that her cancer cells are positive for estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), and there is no overexpression of Her-2/neu. The bad news is that the nuclear grade is 3. In summary, there is no need to overinterpret the doctor's expression. T...[Read More] Understanding Breast Cancer Test Results: What You Need to Know
Understanding Cancer Treatments: The Impact on Stomach Health
Cancer medications Hello, doctor: Some people say, "Cancer is not a death sentence," but I disagree. My mother was originally diagnosed with stage II breast cancer, and during her treatment, she nearly died. Afterward, she recovered and her life was saved. However, she ...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello: I apologize, but I cannot make any assumptions without knowing the exact name of the medication.[Read More] Understanding Cancer Treatments: The Impact on Stomach Health
Understanding Chemotherapy for Stage IIA Breast Cancer: Key Insights and Concerns
Chemotherapy for Stage II Breast Cancer I am about to undergo chemotherapy and I'm feeling very anxious, so I would like to ask for help! My mother is 68 years old and has a long history of hypertension (she is on medication to control it). On March 28, she underwent a modif...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Grade indicates the differentiation of breast cancer cells, with Grade III showing poor differentiation, meaning the cancer cells are more aggressive and have a higher likelihood of metastasis and recurrence. This is an indicator for the need for chemotherapy. The other two indic...[Read More] Understanding Chemotherapy for Stage IIA Breast Cancer: Key Insights and Concerns
Navigating Rare Breast Cancer Treatment: Seeking Guidance for Unusual Cases
Treatment for breast cancer patients with special conditions - please help! Hello, doctor! We truly value medical resources, but we are feeling quite lost, which is why we are seeking your advice. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the He Shin Cancer Hospital in May th...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Dear Jason: The principle of positron emission tomography (PET) is to utilize glucose labeled with radioactive elements to detect areas in the body with particularly high metabolic rates. It is generally assumed that tumor cells have a higher metabolic rate than normal tissues, s...[Read More] Navigating Rare Breast Cancer Treatment: Seeking Guidance for Unusual Cases
Exploring Alternative Cancer Treatments Beyond Chemotherapy
Could you please provide more context or specify what you would like to know about chemotherapy? Dr. Fan, thank you so much for your clarification. Without your explanation, I would not have known there were other treatment options available. The attending physician did not menti...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Mr. Yuan: (1) As previously speculated, your mother should have been on Ufur for a period of time after her surgery, which counts as adjuvant therapy, so it was not a waste of time. It is still timely to start Herceptin treatment now. For younger breast cancer patients, I typical...[Read More] Exploring Alternative Cancer Treatments Beyond Chemotherapy
Understanding Chemotherapy Decisions for Elderly Cancer Patients
Some questions regarding chemotherapy? Dear Dr. Fan, My mother is 78 years old and discovered a lump in her breast in February. She underwent surgery at Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, where a biopsy confirmed it was cancer. A few weeks after the surgery, we received the pathology repor...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Dear Mr. Yuan, Hello. First of all, considering your mother's age, it is highly likely that her breast cancer specimen's estrogen receptor (ER) is positive. If this is the case, I recommend administering the oral estrogen receptor antagonist Tamoxifen for two years, fo...[Read More] Understanding Chemotherapy Decisions for Elderly Cancer Patients
Understanding Cancer Screening: Essential Tests and Their Effectiveness
How to know if you have cancer? I have the following questions for the doctor: 1. My mother is 75 years old and has been taking medication for hypertension and degenerative arthritis for a long time. I personally paid for cancer screening tests including liver AFP, colon CEA, o...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. Cancer screening blood tests are primarily designed for monitoring patients who have already been diagnosed with cancer, with the hope of early detection of recurrence. However, their significance for individuals who have never had cancer may not be as impactful, alth...[Read More] Understanding Cancer Screening: Essential Tests and Their Effectiveness
Essential Cancer Screening Tests for Early Detection in Seniors
What tests are available to predict the likelihood of developing cancer? My mother is 72 years old and has been taking medication for hypertension and degenerative arthritis for a long time. I have paid out of pocket for cancer screening tests for her, including liver AFP, colon ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. A small number of individuals undergo health screenings, including physical examinations and blood tests, which can lead to early cancer detection. While these screenings may not be beneficial for the majority, they can be immensely helpful for a few, depending on your ...[Read More] Essential Cancer Screening Tests for Early Detection in Seniors
Understanding Axillary Tumors: Ultrasound Diagnosis During Pregnancy
Axillary tumor Hello Doctor: Last week, I discovered a small tumor about the size of a potato under my right armpit, which moves when touched or pressed. I live in Canada and today I saw my family doctor. I am currently 27 weeks pregnant, and the doctor only arranged for a breast...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Ms. Chen: The small lump in your armpit may be a lymph node. The first step of breast cancer metastasis is often to the axillary lymph nodes. This might be why the doctor arranged for a breast ultrasound. An experienced physician can assess the likelihood of malignancy of an intr...[Read More] Understanding Axillary Tumors: Ultrasound Diagnosis During Pregnancy
Understanding the Risks of Biopsy in Suspected Breast Cancer Cases
The dangers of biopsy..? Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask if a biopsy is necessary to further investigate a suspected breast cancer diagnosis. If a biopsy is performed, is there any risk involved? I have heard that performing a biopsy could cause cancer cells to spread, and I w...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Dear Miss Elle, A biopsy is the most important basis for confirming a diagnosis of breast cancer. Generally speaking, the risks are not high. As for the concern that performing a biopsy may cause cancer cells to spread, there is a possibility, but this does not affect those who ...[Read More] Understanding the Risks of Biopsy in Suspected Breast Cancer Cases
Managing Cancer in Pregnant Patients: A Case Study and Treatment Options
Pregnant woman with terminal cancer? The patient is a breast cancer metastasis case, and the baby in her womb is currently 22 weeks old, appearing to be normal. The patient has previously insisted on keeping the baby without undergoing any treatment. Recently, the tumor on her ne...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. I also recommend returning to Taiwan for treatment. 2. During my time at National Taiwan University Hospital, I provided radiation therapy to a pregnant woman with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and her child was born healthy. Based on the medical experience at NTU Hospital,...[Read More] Managing Cancer in Pregnant Patients: A Case Study and Treatment Options