Is this possible?

jenbal

I completed chemo in mid-August for an early stage (<1 cm tumor), node negative, ER/PR-, HER-2+ IDC. Still getting Herceptin. Went for six-month post-surgery mammo this week and they've identified two "new areas of concern" -- microcalcifications that have appeared or changed since January. Having a biopsy next week. Is it possible that this could be a recurrence so soon??? I'm still in treatment? And whether it's a recurrence or something that they missed first time around, how can it possibly still be there after 6 cycles of TCH and radiation??? What else might it be??  

TonyaB

I'm sorry but it is possible. I had a recurrence on herceptin just three months after finishing rads.

Hopefully it will be nothing. Hang in there.

Titan

Jen...I had micros in my 'other" breast...4 of them...had a sterotactic biopsy...they were vascular calcifications...BENIGN!   I was so freaked out about having this but it was OK...somehing like 95% micros are benign...there is a lot of discussions about micro calcifications on this board...check them out....have you seen your report?  How they are lined up and shaped will tell you alot...I know you are freaking..because I certainly did...but there is a very, very good chance that they are nothing to be concerned about....!  Hang in there and let us know..I do know that I asked the BS what would happen if they were cancer and he said it would be rads only...Hugs to you...I know exactly what you are going through..been there..done that!

ElaineD

The likleihood is that it is benign, but of course, it's possible that it further spread. Unless you had a scan post treatment, you won't know how effective the chemo has been.But, the chances of this are far outweighed by the likelihood of it being benign. Try not to worry until such time as you know you need to-easier said than done, but it sounds as if everything is under control ,and it's being dealt with promptly.

TriciaK

Just wanted to send good wishes for B9!! 

Tricia x

jenbal

Thanks for the encouraging words, everyone! It's so easy to panic about this stuff. I haven't seen the reports, but the doc said (several times), "I don't like it." Titan -- I couldn't have rads again 'cause I don't think they can do the same breast twice. And I didn't have a scan post-treatment because the tumor had been so small and completely removed with surgery and no nodes, so there was nothing really to look at. Did have a PET pre-treatment, which indicated no evidence of mets. And an MRI on both breasts, which turned up some "hot" spots on the other side (B9), but nothing more in the "problem" one. May I ask, TonyaB, what you did about the recurrence? What was the explanation for it turning up "again" so soon? How are you now?

PS73

Jen, I just dealt with the same thing.  Still in chemo, six month mammo/US follow up and bam -calcifications.  I had a biopsy and fortunately all was benign.  ..I put an ace bandage tightly around my chest and used an ice pack every two to three hours and I did not get one bruise or hematoma (they took a lot of tissue too).   Good luck for a b9 outcome and a speedy recovery.

edited to add: forgot to write that they thought it was fat necrosis pre biopsy but it turned out to be residual surgery tissue (I had clean margins).

"Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense”
Diagnosis: 4/23/2009, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+

Titan

Jen...I think they are just being very carefull with you..and that is a good thing..I'm pretty sure all will be well...just can't see a reocurrence this soon for you after chemo/rads... I still have a couple of thos micros left..why they didnt' take them out I'm not sure..anyway...had a mammo just a couple of weeks ago...got a letter...said probably benign but come back in 6 months months..saw the BS a couple of days later..he said nothing to worry about...I was so ticked off...sending that letter when I freak out about everything..called the BS nurse about it..my BS is super conservative..if there was anything at all to be concerned about he would be right on it..I think that is what your BS is doing too.  Good luck with your biopsy..I'm thinking that we will all have alot of biopsys...just to check things out..I think and hope and pray that you will be fine.........You will freak because that is what we do..but you will get through this..(again!)..Hugs!

NativeMainer

Most likely you'll find out after the biopsy that the calicifacation are just from radiation damage.  Radiation damages the blood vessels, which in turns causes breast tissue to die (called radionecrosis).  Dead breast tissue can calcify. it's one of the known effects of radiation they don't tell us about, but is the cause of many post-treatment biopsies. 

jenbal

That makes sense -- I've been scouring the books I have, trying to find the list of all the things, besides more cancer, this could be. Amazing how unhelpful they are! Thanks!

jenbal

And now I have a cracked rib!!!

Don't know how I did it or when. Have had pain for about a month, but it's gotten a lot worse just in the last week. Excruciating to turn over in bed, let alone laugh, cough, yawn, hug, etc. Had a chest X-ray and saw my onc today. He says the x-ray ruled out anything "really nasty" altho it didn't show the cracked rib, he was pretty sure after poking me all over and noting when I said YOW! Ok, so PROBABLY this is radiation damage; PROBABLY the microcalcifications are B9; but I'm DEFINITELY pretty upset about the whole thing. What do you all do to manage the anxiety?? 

Anonymous

jenbal wrote:

What do you all do to manage the anxiety?? 

By taking a pill. 

Member_of_the_Club

I have had FOUR (!) breast biopsies since I had bc.  One was for a spot deemed highly likely to be malignant -- birads 5.  ALL of the biopsies were benign.  I know it is impossible not to worry, but the fact is that we get extra scrutiny because we've had BC.  Hoping you will get good news.

Katyb

I wanted to wish you good luck with your biopsy and also to tell you to try and stay calm. I know how difficult that is so I don't say it lightly. I had a scare once and I was a basket case but I did so much worrying and it turned out to be nothing. The hard part is letting your imagination get away with you. Just convince yourself that you could handle it if the test results didn't come out well but that you're not going to have to. Please let us know your results as we will all be pulling for you. Best of luck.

giglgrl

I am looking for info on the same thing. I have not had rads yet and have my last chemo this week. I had a masectomy in July and just last week felt a lump over my expander that was not there before.....I am hoping it is just scare tissue or something simple. I have not been able to find a lot of info about having it come back while still having treatment, so maybe it does not happen that often. I see the BS today so she can check it out. Why does every thing have to scare the heck out of us now?