Breast Cancer Stage III

[demj]

I am 52 yrs. old and always had good health, until diagnosed with breast cancer.  My tumor was 5 cm. before chemo treatment.  I had 4 treatments of adriamycin and 2 taxotere, then surgery.  (I am scheduled to have the remaining 2 treatments of taxotere.)  Pathologist report showed I responded well to chemo, and shrunk tumor to under 2cm.  I had 9 lymph nodes with microscopic cancer cells.  None outside the node walls.  ER/PR were both negative.  I will also have 5 weeks of radiation.  I know my prognosis doesn't look good. What are my chances of reoccurence?  And if reoccurence, then what does that do to the prognosis?  Thank you for any information you can help me with.

[zemka]

I also was diagnosed with stage 111 breast cancer
I was 24 at the time.  Of the 11 removed nodes 9 were malignant.
I had the worst prognosis time was limited to up to 2 years.  After chemo and radiotherapy I kept waiting for the worst.  I am now 44 and am still waiting.  I know that I am very lucky but somewhere over time I must have done something right.  I wish you all the best in the future.  Zemira

[demj]

For me, I was going to receive 4 rounds of adrimycin and 4 of taxotere, 8 altogether.  After 6 treatments, they found that my tumor had shrunk to a point they were afraid they wouldn't get a good biopsy.  Therefore, they performed a mastsecomy and now I'm finishing up with the last 2 treatments of chemo, and then radition.  They wanted to start with Chemo before surgery, first to shrink the tumor before surgery, and second, to stop it from spreading to other organs.  I know it's so scary to deal with, but hang in there.  It helps to go to a support group, if you can.  I'll keep your Mom in my prayers

[christine1]

Mother diagnosed with stage IIIB breast cancer, first round of chemo on Friday (1 of 4) then they will evaluate if tumor size has decreased, if yes then surgery followed by more chemo, if no then 4 more rounds of chemo and then surgery. Is this how it worked with others? How was the outcome? My mother's two sisters and her mother died of this. My mother's brother died of cancer last year and lost my father to this disease. Scared to death of this battle that has begun. Any info would be appreciated. No bone scan, cat scan, CXR was done, only mammogram and ultrasound. Thanks.

[demj]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging comments.  It does help to know that you're not alone and others have made it through it.  I am trying to keep my positive attitude and faith.  I also have things to look forward to and will concentrate on that.  I'll keep all of you in my prayers.

[seven7]

I also was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in one breast, large area.  I had 14 of 15 nodes positive.  My mastectomy was followed by chemo and radiation, and I am taking tamoxifen.  I am happy to state that it has been 20 months since my mastectomy, and I am doing fine.  My last scans and bloodwork (in October 03) showed nothing wrong.
I have kept a positive attitude and kept on living as usual, looking forward to the future.  We are going to start redecorating our house soon, and have a tour of South Africa coming in March.
Faith in the Lord I believe has helped me.  Of course, anytime the cancer could recurr, but I try not to dwell on that.  Good luck to you.

[LINDA J]

I too was dianosed with Stage III breast cancer in January 2001 and had 15 lymph nodes removed, all benign.  My tumor was a little under 5cm.  I want through 6 mos of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation.  I can happily report that I have been CLEAN for almost 3 years now and aside from breaking my hip from the chemo treatments, (it depleted my bone mass), I feel good.  I am checked by my Dr.s every six months and have just "graduated" to a yearly mammogram again.  HANG IN THERE!  Linda J

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear demj:  In a situation where there is evidence of spread, there is a reasonable probability that there will be a recurrence at some point.  Recurrence is factored into the prognosis, so there really aren't separate statistics to quote. In situations such as the one your describe, this is the reason that the chemotherapy is given - to address the microscopic cells.  If the cancer reoccurs, then there are additional medications that can be given.  The good news is that even women with bad breast cancer can live a long time - and many live very well.  The written prognosis may not be the best, but statistics are, by definition, old.  The statistical outcomes of today reflect yesterdays treatment and we won't know the statistical results of today's treatments for a while to come.

[bethl]

while our diagnosis aren't identical, I was diagnosed in March 2001 with stage III. I have done quite well until recently - and now there is just a small lymph node that showed as "atypical" on a biopsy - nothing definite and my other testing is fine. I know the diagnosis is just devastating -- but my doctors all keep telling me that there are lots of treatments available if necessary. I know it is hard to remember - but prognosis and statistics are just numbers and often outdated by the time all the clinical trials are done and published. I'm nearly 3 years since diagnosis and feel great.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!! Best of luck!
Beth