recurrence

[jessey]

In 1996 I had lumpectomy followed by radiation and  almost 7 yrs of tamoxifen.Less than one year after stopping tamoxifen (8 yrs after dx)recurrence occurred.It  seems to have developed at the very end of the scar and is not in either breast but in between, sitting above the top of the sternum.No nodes are involved , none were inolved originally. At present am only on arimidex, surgery may be possible in future. My question is what stage is this and what type of recurrence is this local regional or distant? Should I insist on surgery? Am in UK Many thanks

[jessey]

Hello LaRayne, one more question how did you know you needed bone strengthener? Was it after bone scan or were you prescribed this automatically at diagnosis? Good to hear you are still working, I took early  retirement when recurrence occurred and wished I'd taken it earlier! Should have done it years ago....Best wishes Jessey

[hrhlrh]

Thanks! Actually I'm feeling pretty good. If I sit on a hard chair or bench, or stand too long, or carry something too heavy, my "sitting bones" hurt. Then I need to lie down for a while to ease the ache. I am working part time this summer. During the school year I work M-Th, 9 to 3. I need to get an air cushion to sit on. I figured out that sometimes the ache is just old age. Walking is very good, as is stretching. I'm thinking of taking a yoga class for the stretching. Saw my chiropractor today and feel a lot better!! Hang in there!! LaRayne

[jessey]

Hello La Rayne, thanks for your comments. Here in the UK we are not as well informed as you ( I assume you are in US). For the past 8 yrs I have been blissfuly unaware of the consequences of BC through choice and glad I was. Now with recurrence I feel I should Know more details. My onc calls my tumour a recurrence and my GP says its mets - its no wonder I'm confused,although I think we can know too much.I don't want to spend the rest of my days wondering is it  the end or isn't it.I too try to eat healthily, green tea, fruit juice, chocolate, red wine all the things I like.Hope your bone mets aren't giving too many problems .Best wishes Jessey

[hrhlrh]

Hi Jessey,
I am a cancer survivor, 3 times. The 1st breast cancer was a primary site, so was the second. It was not considered a recurrence but a new primary site. It's my understanding that a recurrence happens when the cancer reappears where it had been originally. "Mets" is when breast cancer cells appear some place other than the breast, like the brain, the bones, the blood. That's what I have right now: bone mets in my left hip, the iliac crest. I am now taking Arimidex again along with Zometa, a bone strengthener. I'm getting a second opinion in 2 weeks re: blood counts, etc. I read on this board that CA 27-29 isn't reliable. It's hard to know who to trust and believe. LaRayne

[jessey]

Thank you for your reply.My mammograms were clear so mastomectomy won't help.The end of my scar is right at the edge of my breast and the tumour is in tissue between breasts. Could this have been caused by left behind cells at initial lumpectomy? Recent CT scan and bone scan show no spread as yet. I am trying to read up on things but am very confused re the difference between recurrence and mets and what is meant by secondary cancer.My stage still mystfies me.Any help on suitable reading material would be greatly appreciated.Best wishes Jessey

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear jessey:  Based on your description of this being on the scar, it sounds local regional.  Surgery in the form of mastectomy is sometimes done but if the location does not lend itself to surgery, then radiation or other systemic control may be most appropriate.