Recurrence rate with triple negs

I have triple negative bc, and haven't found direct information about recurrence rates/risks except that they are "higher with this form of cancer."  What are the actual rates?  I see lots of "general information" about what a triple negative is, but nothing in particular about the cancer other than what it is not (hormone neg).  Where is good info?

 I feel the same way, and have not seen anything that says where a common site for it to strike after as well.  had 7/25 nodes still active with cancer. They said I prolly had about 6 yrs, maybe less, maybe more, but getting any good answers or info, is like banging your head on a brick wall.

Hi Netterz,

That I had probably about 6 yrs to live, based on my former Oncologists decision not to remove it all right away, which was the plan, but she stopped it, saying that I needed to do the 8 wks of chemo first. Seems there is alot of diff opinions on whats  right/wrong a far as chemo first, surgery first,  but having the 7 of 25 nodes tht were removed that suposedly didnt respond to the chemo, actively spreading the aggressive type cancer that I have for the almost 3 mo. thru out my lymph system and organs during the chemo, it definately metz, but until it gains enough to form a detectable tumor somewhere, or I happen to chance across it myself, who knows.  I have an extremely high risk of  cancer genetically, have already had 34 polyps removed, and that was over 10 yrs ago. I naturally carry the gene quite strongly from my fathers side. Grandfather, father, and his 2 brothers all died of Colon Cancer, with metz to just about everywhere in there bodies. I also have had pre-cancerous cells show up in multiple paps, with questionable tumors that have been being watched.  At this point, I just turned 41 a couple wks ago, I have been mentally preparing myself for this for years. The tumor under my arm, in the axillary nodes, grew to the size of a deck of cards over night, so mine is extremely aggressive when it does strike. Not everyones is quite the same, nor nearly as aggressive, so please dont look at your own outcome as close to mine. I dont let it bother me really, because the way  see it, it might not be the cancer that gets me, I could get hit by a truck, or any number of ways to die, but when my # is up, its up. It has not caused me  to stop tryng to fight it, beat the odds, and prove the medical society wrong on my expectacy  Personally, after going the rounds thru many doctors, specialists, and pathologists, I dont beleive they really know enough about this particular type to tell me much of anything. I just dont listen, and go about my life as if I dont have cancer at all. Attitude is EVERYTHING in this fight,  so sittin back in a corner waiting for it to come and get me again??? Aint happenin!!!! I have already looked death in the eye on a few occasions and beat it, broken back, broken neck, I worked at a prison as as officer on a unit full of criminally insane men, got a bunch of titainium parts in my body, I walk, talk, and even run, ride dirt bikes and snowmobiles, nothing keeps me down if I dont want to let it. Cancer/smancer......heh...its just a WORD to me, not a fatal threat. I am a tough ole broad, been thru and survived 2 divorces, and survived raising a daughter alone, (even the teen years!) so this, doesnt scare me. Just have to look at the other things you have accomplished and keep shovling thru life.

Netterz,

When begging for an MRI, after surgery 2 years ago, I was given the "run around" regarding recurrance, local recurrance, and  told I would have to have a digital mammogram of the surgery breast after radiation...time went by, and I was given the digital in April, 2007.  A nodule, cysts, calcifications, and dense breast tissue along with scar tissue left over from an enormous hematoma developed a week after surgery; the radiologist found a Nodule and a mass, which later was written off as a nodule that had been there prior to surgery, and had shunk in size.  After that, I continued to request the MRI, even though I'd had a PET Scan, CAT scans, etc.  I read that early detection of a local recurrance with "High Risk", Triple Negative Disease should be used in conjunction with these other tests, but that the MRI would likely spot a small recurrance accurately, as it views everything while the other tests will not pick up the tiny micro size of hidden breast cancer cells. 

The most encouraging news I have just gotten is a response from Y-ME.  They wrote me that although women with ER-/PR- breast cancer have a higher recurrence rate within the first five years, after that, they have a much lower recurrence rate than ER+/PR+ bc patients.  Also, ER-/PR- bc is more responsive to chemo, so that is a fact in our favor.  I quote from their email "Being triple negative actually is in your favor.  Having chemotherapy after surgery drastically lowers your chances of having a recurrence within the first 3 years and basically after that, your recurrence rate is lower anyway." 

Barbie,

All I can think is..."No ____! STRESS!"  Better meds and combos figured out all the time.   Good luck at Stanford when this chemo sched. through.  Thanks for keeping us learning as you learn. 

Hugs and prayers.

Brookiecheryl

Barbie, what is ac/c?  I will be starting chemo after Jan. 10th and the oncologist has given be a couple of options.  I guess they want the patient to pick their poison.  My stats are like yours and I haven't really gotten a good answer to my questions because they don't have enough info.  At least now triple negative bc in being researched and there might be breakthroughs for better treatments.  I am so glad to find this site and the discussion board.  It's been a nightmare trying to learn about triple negative bc.  Good luck to all....Connie

Evening Shellie,