Reccurence after 5 years: chemo again?
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Topic: Reccurence after 5 years: chemo again?
Posted By: acceptinglife
Subject: Reccurence after 5 years: chemo again?
Date Posted: Jun 24 2013 at 11:13am
In June 2008 I was diagnosed with TNBC, Stage II. 17 nodes removed, none were positive. Underwent mastectomy and 4 months of chemo. Exactly 5 years later, I found another lump in the opposite breast. Once again it is TNBC. The mass is 6x9x7 millimeters. I just underwent a second mastectomy last Thursday and am awaiting the pathology results to see if any of my lymph nodes are/were positive. My first question is, if the nodes come back negative how likely is it that my oncologist will recommend chemo again? Second question is, what types of scans (and how often) will my oncologist order now that I've had 2 mastectomies?
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Replies:
Posted By: weekender09
Date Posted: Jun 24 2013 at 11:25pm
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I am so sorry to hear your news. I don't know answers for you but wanted you to know that I'm praying for you. I know I would do chemo again if needed. I wish you the best so keep us posted.
Barb
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02/12/13 DX TNBC, Grade III, Stage 3, 3.3cm tumor, IMN and 1 lymph Positive, Chemo A/C T complete 6/13
BRCA1-/BRCA2+ Variance, BIL 7/13, 33 RADS complete 10/13 Remssion :)
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Posted By: TriplePositiveGirl
Date Posted: Jun 24 2013 at 11:31pm
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My guess is that they will probably recommend chemo again, but most likely a different kind than what you had originally. I know you must be shocked to get this news; 5 years is a long time to go without a recurrence. Are the doctors considering this a recurrence? I was under the impression that if the cancer is found in the other breast it could be a new primary. I do hope and pray that you have no lymph node involvement or any other issues. It sounds like the tumor is small. Please let us know how everything turns out. Again, so very sorry...:(
Lisa
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Diagnosed Jan 2010; Stage IIa, grade 2, 3.2cm in rt. breast, no nodes and BRCA-. 4 cycles Carbo/Gemzar 3/10; Lump 6/10; 2 cycles carbo/gem after surgery 8/10; 35 Rads finished 12/1/10. NED.
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Posted By: acceptinglife
Date Posted: Jun 25 2013 at 6:17am
Dear Barb & Lisa,
When I spoke with the oncologist yesterday he confirmed that I would undergo chemo again even if the nodes came back negative. He said I would be treated with a different type of chemo. I am okay with this and I agree-if I had a choice I would still choose chemo. It is considered a new primary tumor, not necessarily a recurrence of the first cancer. I used the word recurrence, but I should have been clear. Sorry for the confusion.
I know that I am lucky that I found the lump while it was small. I feel very hopeful that the treatments and outcome will go well.
Thank you for the support.
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Posted By: 123Donna
Date Posted: Jun 25 2013 at 8:38am
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It looks like your new primary (contraleteral) was caught early, which gives you an excellent prognosis. Sorry that you will have to do chemo again. They usually won't do scans unless you present with a symptom. Wishing you the best. Keep us posted on what you find out and how your treatment goes.
Donna
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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
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Posted By: ctlindah
Date Posted: Jun 25 2013 at 9:58am
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Hi, So sorry you have to go down this road for the second time - very glad you caught it early though. Keep us posted on your treatment. Did you have BRCA testing? Linda
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DX IDC TNBC 10/12 age 48, Stage 1, Grade 3, 1.5cm
Lumpectomy DD AC & Taxol BRCA- rads X30 finished 5/13
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Posted By: acceptinglife
Date Posted: Jun 25 2013 at 10:11am
Thank you for your comments. I tested BRCA-.
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Posted By: BamaRachel
Date Posted: Jun 25 2013 at 7:57pm
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So sorry to hear this news. But sounds like you have an excellent attitude -- which is so important in fighting the Beast, especially a second time!!!
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DX 7/5/11, TN Invas; Lump w/clear marg., 7/21/11; Stage 2A. Grade 3, 2.6 c; 0/6 nodes; TX 8/22/11 4DD E/C; 4Taxotere; Chemo ended 1/3/12; 33 Radiation Treatments, ended 3/15/12.
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