Possible Metastasis

ConcernedDaughter72

Does anyone know if it is possible to have a metastasis 19 years after a mastectomy?  My mother just went in for a CT scan for some pain and they discovered a 3 x 3 cm metastasis in the upper left quad of her left lung.  This is the same side that she had the original breast cancer and mastectomy.  Her mamogram on her right side came back clean.  This has only happened in the past week and we are still waiting for a biopsy to be scheduled which seems to be taking forever.  I've been doing a lot of research and it sounds like it could be a metastasis of the old breast cancer.  Other than a little bit of pain in her back, she has been very healthy and this was quite a surprise to all of us.  Just wondering if it might be possible to develop after 19 years.

ElaineD

Mets can develop at any time I'm afraid-I was 13 years post primary diagnosis, and absolutely stunned to learn I had mets (also in the lung on the same side as the mastectomy). I really believed I was "safe". Like your Mum, I too was healthy, with no indication that there was a problem-it was found purely by chance, thanks to a very attentive gastroenterologist, who decided to investigate the "tickle" I had been having under my ribs! Guess things like this really do go to prove that there is no such thing as a cure-it really can return many years later. Good luck to your Mum-hope she can get a treatment plan organised soon.

hope2

Sorry to hear that your mother has cancer again. if she had radiation after the first operation, it may have increased her risk of lung cancer, could be a new primary cancer. ye should know more soon, all the waiting is very difficult.

pitanga

I´m very sorry to hear that your mom has a tumor in her lung.

You are right, it could be a breast cancer metastasis. 19 years later. My recurrence and mets dx came 9 years later.

My onc says that recurrences and mets many years after intial dx is one of the most insidious characteristics of breast cancer. 

A few months ago there was a thread in this very forum started by a woman who was just dx'd with a recurrence and I think mets too, 23 years after her initial diagnosis.

AussieSheila

Another one at 13yrs, here too!

Thought I had arthritis 'cause my GP told me so, only to find through a new GP that I had mets in bones.

Sheila.

ConcernedDaughter72

Well it's confirmed.  My mom has a breast cancer metastasis in her lung and also her bones.  I guess the cancer in the bones is what was causing all the pain.  Now we just wait I guess to see how they are going to treat. 

ConcernedDaughter72

Well I guess it wasn't really confirmed.  The radiologist before the biopsy said that he was 100% positive it was a BC metastasis in the lung.  Boy was he wrong.  The biopsy came back as a new primary lung cancer.  Well we'll keep our fingers crossed and move on to a lung cancer board.  Thanks all.

chainsawz

Wow - what a surprise.  I am glad your mother had a biopsy so she could be treated for the correct cancer.  I wish you both the best.