QuoteReplyTopic: Restaging - from Stage IV Posted: Oct 06 2017 at 5:01pm
Hello all,
My MIL is doing incredibly well with treatment for stage IV, triple negative...she tested BRCA neg as well. After one treatment, her 10cm tumor was not able to be felt anymore. After four treatments, she had a near complete response according to radiology reports, from multiple tumors in both breasts, multiple lymph nodes involved, and some tumors in her legs to almost complete healing - all but the bones, and even they are showing signs around the outer edges of the tumors. I hope I am explaining all of this in a way that makes sense.
Cisplatin plus her clinical trial (Veliparib or Placebo) are kicking the cancer out, and she is able to tolerate treatment exceptionally. Her bloodwork is all great, with minimal side effects. She has now had five treatments, and her oncologist mentioned (and wrote in her report) that they are fairly certain they will restage her after the next two treatments, barring any negative side effects that would prevent her to continue.
Is this common? She was Stage 4 from the get-go, so this has been a roller coaster. I know no one knows when their time will come, and I am not asking for a timeline. Rather, I am wondering if people ever drop down from stage IV to stage III? I am confused as I thought any cancer that has spread to the bones is stage IV. TN seems so unpredictable that I'm wondering if it can be eradicated as quickly as it can grow. For what it's worth, she is at THE Mayo Clinic for treatment. We are all learning through this, but some things are harder to wrap the brain around.
Interesting, I have never heard of restaging from Stage IV. I thought if no cancer was detected after treatment, then it would be in remission (no evidence of disease). Keep us posted on how your MIL is doing and what Mayo says about her staging. The best news is she's responding to treatment with minimal side effects!
Donna
Edited by 123Donna - Oct 06 2017 at 5:33pm
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09) 11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
Thank you Donna. I was not at the appt where it was discussed, but that's how I understand from the oncology notes. Either way, all good news. Of course, we continue to hope for no evidence of disease. Hope you are well!
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