Lump in Neck

[Rdy2Live]

I had a Breast Cancer in 2002 and had a Double Mastecotomy.  They removed several nodes under my arm and nothing showed up.  I was 40 yrs old at that time.  I did not have radiation but I did go through Chemo.  I was then placed on Tamoxifan for 5 yrs.  I quit taking it Dec 07 and due to the fact that my ovary is still functioning I could not go on the the next medicine that I would have taken.   I just found a lump in my neck which had been diagnosed as Breast Cancer recourrance.  I still have one ovary which is still functioning.  It was dicsucced that is should have been removed but they never did do it.  So am I to understand that due to the fact that my ovary is still functioning when I quit taking the Tamoxifan that this cancer laying dormant in my lumph node became active and then spread?  Please explain this because I am having a hard time being told this is Stage 4 and I have several spots in my neck and chest area and it is not operable.  I don't understand??????

[traceyz]

I just want to say that I think you are AMAZING!! I think you are right to question the doctors! We must be our own advocates where our health is concerned. So dont stop searching for answers. I think the docs here give straight forward answers, of course they dont have your pahology reports in front of them but they do a good job. I have breast cancer and I am presently getting ready for surgery. Like you I am pretty young 41. I got second and 3rd opinions on EVERY aspect of this journey and the docs did not all agree, but atleast I was able to have professional opinions so that I could make an informed decision.

I say all of this to say that you are right in getting more than one opinion. So hats off to you, it shows that you are a strong women.

Take good care of yourself and research your situation. Nothing and NO siuation is too big for God. Chin up.

Sincerely,
Traceyz

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
How are you doing?
I’m assuming the lump on your neck was biopsied and you were eventually diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer to the neck nodes and lungs.  
Tamoxifen is a hormone therapy used in hormone responsive breast cancer either in the adjuvant or metastatic setting.  Tamoxifen can be used by both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.  In premenopausal women, tamoxifen will not make the patient menopausal.  The ovaries will still continue to produce estrogen.  This is where the role ovarian ablation plays.  Ovarian ablation can be accomplished by ovarian irradiation, surgery, or use of gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) and leutenizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists.  This can decrease the risk of breast cancer recurrence and mortality.              
The reason why your cancer is inoperable is probably because of the extent of disease.  You mentioned that you have several spots in the neck and lungs.  It would be impossible to remove all involved tissues.  You will benefit most from systemic treatment.  Luckily, there are so many researches already done and many more ongoing trials with regards to breast cancer treatment.  You may be given combination chemotherapy agents with the addition of targeted therapy like Trastuzumab.
Hope this helps.