Breast cancer reaccurance

[OUT IN THE STICKS]

I have been battling this for the last 8 years and was in remmision. Have had a number of lump removed over the last 8 years all of them were benign. My oncologist recommended having my breasts removed because of all this activity. So I did that about 2 weeks ago. When my surgeon got the pathology report back it said there was a 0.7 cm era infiltrating tumor in the right breast and the margins are free. I have been taking arimidex all these years and I thought that was supposed to block estrogen. I had a hysterectomy years ago. What should I do now. They want to take out lymph nodes and change my medication. What would you do the sentinel method or take them all out. In 2004 they took them all out and cancer was in 10 of 20 of them. What would you suggest to replace the arimidex and if the nodes are positive what is the next thing to do. Please give me some hope because I am getting tired of fighting. You have given me so much help in the past. I also want to say both my daughters have breast cancer and we do not have the gene. Sincerely OUT IN THE STICKS


This discussion is related to SUGAR INTAKE AND BREAST CANCER.

[Tinabudde]

Hi Out, so sorry to hear you have a reoccurance.  It's tough, my mom's going throught that right now at 82, she's having a pet scan for a lump in breast and blood in colon they feel it's cancer.  She had a masectomy and lumpectomy.  It's alot of questions and worry and what is the best plan.  We've discussed it so many times.  I have lymphedema from cancer, it's alot of pain and suffering so anything you can do to spare getting it would be good but it has to be the best choice between you and your doctor so you have the best outcome.  They have been finding that you don't have to remove as many now even if they have cancer in them, the fact you had 10 out of 20 is a kind of a 50/50 chance, maybe talk to your doctor about the sentinel node.  My mom had infiltrating ductal, papillary and mucinous, margins free but lymph vascular involvement but not spread past the breast itself.  She has been on arimidex for a year now this month, but she has a new lump and high blood test levels so the pet scan is recommended, did you have a pet scan?  That test can show alot and might be a way to go so you can make a decision better.  They might recommend chemo, and that's your choice as well, it's all about what you and your dr agree on is the best plan of action.  

[bluebutterfly2222]

Hi,

I am so sorry to hear that you have had a recurrence! That  fear, of course, hangs over anyone who has ever had breast cancer, but it is still a devastating shock when it actually happens to someone...

As you are no doubt aware, there are different kinds of recurrences, with different prognoses. Has your treatment team determined if this is a local recurrence or a new primary for example? Is it the same type of BC, with the same receptor status as before (ER/PR/HER-2)?  

The hormonal treatment you have been on significantly reduces the risk of recurrence, but has never carried the promise of being able to entirely prevent one.

Some recent studies have suggested that sentinel node biopsy is just as effective as removing all the nodes, and less likely to cause lymphedema and other complications. However, you should discuss this with your treatment team.

I'm sorry that we cannot give advice over the Internet regarding what is the best treatment plan for you at this point. Your tx team, which has access to all of your medical history, test results, etc., will be in the best position to advise you after it is known whether you again have lymph node involvement, in which case there will need to be further evaluation to check for distant metastases.

There is definitely hope! If this turns out to be a local recurrence or an early new primary, Your treatment may be similar to what you had before. But even people who are dx with metastatic disease can receive treatment which allows them to maintain a good good quality of life for many years. (Consider the case of Elizabeth Edwards, for example.)

Please keep us posted by adding comments to this same thread regarding how things are going dor you--we care!

Wishing you all the best,
bluebutterfly