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Metatastic cancer

First let me say I am SO happy this forum is back! I was recently diagnosed with metatastic breast cancer. First alittle history. Sept 03 left breast cancer 3.2cm ER/PR neg HEU2 neg 3 node positive breast cancer. Breast/nodes removed. AC&T dose dense. finshed Jan 04. Nov 04 found lump under right arm. Oncolongist observed for one month. Biopsy in late Dec revealed cancer in lymph node. PET scan show no other areas. right breast/nodes removed end of Jan 2005. NO primary found in the right breast. cancer in lymph node 1/2 cm. also identical to original cancer in left breast. Diagnosis: Metatastic cancer. I am told that I am a very rare case. They gave me the choice of chemo or scans every 8 weeks to check for spread. just had a CT scan that showed a abnormal area in my Spleen, ultra sound was not conclusive as to if it was cancer or not. PET scan scheduled for thursday. I am told that this is even less common, that only a handful of people have had this happen, that the opposite nodes and spleen are HIGHLY usual places for Breast cancer to spread. IS this so? If there is cancer in my spleen would removing it be the next course of action and then chemo? My doctors have said this would be ok with them? what do you recommend. Should I be treated somewhere where they have actually seen cases like mine?  So this was so long.
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Avatar universal
I also wanted to mention I am glad the forum is back. It has been a long time since I have been on the board because I thought it closed down.  But something just made me decide to check it today, just in case because I possibly have a new issue myself. Pitcrew, I am sorry to hear of your new discovery.  I don't know if you remember, but we had written a few times in the past since we were going through similar scenarios at the same time.  

My brief history: With a strong family history, at 42 diagnosed 8/04 1.6cm IDC with LCIS and DCIS components in right breast ER/PR + with 1 node pos but total 22 removed in addition to lumpectomy.  After dose dense of 8 cycles ACT ended 2/04, decided against radiation and choose bilateral mast. with implant reconstruction (left side prophylactic) and oopherectomy as well. Apparently a new DCIS was found on ths same cancer side so masctectomy was a good choice.  Currently on arimidex.  

I also now have opposite axillary lymph node concern. Only left axillary area swollen for approx 3 months with lymph node enlargement.  Had bone scan (neg) and cat scan showed area of concern on this axillary area.  I am currently awaiting surgery consult to see how to proceed.  Pitcrew, as I read your post, the scenario looks all too familiar.  My concern is similar to yours.  How can cancer go to the opposite axillary lymph node area without the breast being there to start it as the primary site?  My prophylactic side was cancer free according to the path report after the mastectomy.  To have a fear of cancer on my "clean" side is making me so nervous.  I am wondering how unusual this really is.  If I understand the above postings, it does not necessarily have to be a stage IV if it is started from a new primary site?  

My prayers are with you.  This is the time to be getting on with our lives.  Not to be reliving this all over again.  If you want to talk privately, my email is:  ***@****.
Keep in touch.  I hope all goes well with your treatment.  I too would also be concerned about leaving it in.  Are you doctor's possibly watching it first to see the effect of the chemo and THEN removing it?  I hope the surgeon posts to your question.  He and this board have been so helpful in the past.

Gentle hugs,
Francine
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Avatar universal
Well here's the latest.. my surgeon and oncolongist will not remove the tumor in my right axilay (sp) or in my lymph nodes of my neck. They are starting me on xeloda april 27th. I am very upset that they will not at the very least remove the now very large tumor under my right arm, Its a constant reminder that I have cancer that is spreading. They say its so they can tell if the chemo agents are working, why can't they watch the tumor in my lypmh node in my neck that I can't feel to tell if the chemo is working.... it seems to me they are just encourging the cancer to spread. Is this the correct procedure? Also I am told they are giving me xeloda because it works very good and I will NOT lose ANY hair and the side effects are minimal is this also true?
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Avatar universal
my pet scan results came back. Nothing in my spleen or liver. However, there is still a spot showing up in my right lymph node area (we thought we got it all) and a spot on my left neck area. How accurate is a pet scan? is it possible that there is cancer in my spleen and the pet scan not show it? I'm going to see my surgeon on thursday to weigh the surgerical options, my oncologists says he is STILL convinced that the lesion that showed in my spleen IS cancer because there isn't anything else it could be without very obvious syptoms. Is that true? can nothing else cause spots on your spleen? he has given me a choice of 3 single agent chemos to start as soon as surgery is complete, which one works the best with the least amount of side effects.... Gemzar, Navalbine or Xeladona (sp?)
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Avatar universal
The original thought was that it was a new primary in the right breast. However, after I had my right mastectomy the path report found NO cancer in my breast and since the tumor in my node was almost identical to my original cancer in my left breast, the doctors are assuming that this is metatastic. My pet scan in Jan showed NO other areas of involvment, so they are alittle baffled as to why the ct and us showed a suspesious area on my spleen so soon. New pet scan is scheduled for Thursday. I guess I hoping that nothing will show up this time and that whatever is on my spleen has nothing to do with cancer but what else can cause a 2x3 cm lesion on the spleen?
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Avatar universal
Dear pitcrew:  Breast cancer can spread virtually anywhere in the body, including the opposite axilla (underarm area) and the spleen.  When recurrent disease is isolated to the opposite axilla, it is important to consider the possibility that this may represent lymph node involvement from a second primary cancer in the other breast as the treatment approach may differ from that of stage IV disease.  The issue of surgery for limited metastatic disease is controversial. If you are unsure about the treatment recommendations you have received, a formal second opinion may be helpful to you.
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