Appointment sheet
Basal-like 1 triple-negative breast cancer (BL1)
Prepared with OnCo (onco.cc/prep/tnbc-basal-like-1/). Orientation, not medical advice; your team knows your case.
My details
Name
Date of appointment
Hospital and clinician
Who is coming with me
What I know, what is unclear, changes to discuss
Saved in this browserWhat I know so far
What is unclear to me
Changes since last time
My questions
9 on the sheetNewly diagnosed
- 1.What is my exact diagnosis, stage, and grade, and which tests established them?
- 2.Which biomarkers have been tested on my tumour (for example Cell-cycle and DNA damage response gene expression, HRD score of 42 or more or tumour BRCA mutation, the response marker for platinum in GeparSixto, Germline BRCA1), and what were the results?
- 3.Which subtype is my cancer, and does that change the recommended treatment?
- 4.Is germline (inherited) genetic testing recommended for me or my family?
Stage II to III
- 5.For my situation (stage ii to iii), which of the standard options do you recommend and why?
- 6.Am I a candidate for Pembrolizumab, Carboplatin, and what side effects should I expect?
- 7.How do the results of KEYNOTE-522 apply to someone like me?
Any stage
- 8.Would a second opinion at a high-volume centre change anything, and can you help arrange it?
- 9.What supportive care (symptom control, nutrition, exercise, mental health, financial help) is available from the start?
The words I may hear
- Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) in breast cancer: Homologous recombination deficiency means a tumour cannot mend double-strand DNA breaks properly, most often because BRCA1 or BRCA2 is lost.
- Basal-like breast cancer: Basal-like is a breast cancer subtype defined by the genes its cells switch on, which resemble the basal cells lining the milk ducts.
- Pathologic complete response (pCR): No invasive cancer left in the breast and lymph nodes when the surgeon removes the tissue after pre-surgery treatment.
Tests and results to bring
Biomarker results to ask for: Cell-cycle and DNA damage response gene expression (research), HRD score of 42 or more or tumour BRCA mutation, the response marker for platinum in GeparSixto, Germline BRCA1 (enriched in basal-like disease).
Bring copies of scan reports, pathology and blood results, and a list of every medicine and supplement.
The treatments I may be offered
- Stage II to III: As for triple-negative disease: pembrolizumab with carboplatin and paclitaxel then an anthracycline before surgery (KEYNOTE-522); the subtype is not used to choose treatment. (KEYNOTE-522, Pembrolizumab, Carboplatin, Platinum agents)
From the standard of care recorded for this cancer; which apply depends on your stage and biomarkers. Ask which the team recommends and why.
Answers and next steps
Saved in this browserWhat I was told
Agreed next steps, dates and who to call