Treatment for recurrence - chemo or not?

mari3579

Hi.  First time I was diagnosed (2003), I was 35, Stage 2/3 IDC/DCIS combo, left breast, close to 3cm and positive nodes. ER+/PR-/HER-  I had neoadjuvant chemo (AC/Taxotere), lumpectomy, radiation, tamox and lupron shots.  5 1/2 years later; diagnosed again...same breast, ER+/PR-/HER-; 1.5 cm IDC/DCIS combo. Tumor was very close to original site. Have just done mastectomy with tissue expanders and thinking about doing DIEP reconstruction. Oncologist asked me stop Tamox, but continue on lupron shots as she'd like to switch me to an AI and may also recommend zometa infusions (2x per year).  I will also plan on taking ovaries out. As far as any further chemo, she tends to think there may be little benefit from it, but leaving it up to me to decide if I want to do chemo again. Ugh! She says I fall in a gray area, as far as chemo goes and will present my case to the tumor board to see what other onc's say. She thinks they'll also be on the fence. Hard decision to make...wondering if anybody else out there has/had a similar situation??  Thanks for any input!

Nichola

Hi Mari

I think it has a lot to do with the grade of cancer and also whether there is lymphatic activity as to whether chemo is effective or not?  I had a multiple recurrence in the skin of my reconstruction, but as the cancer was still grade1 and had moved via the blood, chemo was not seen as being an effective treatment.

From what I researched, you are in a comparibly better position than if you had the recurrence post mastectomy and should have the same prognosis as if it were a new primary?

Hope this helps and best of luck,

Nikki xx