Breast cancer in both sides at the same time

Ladyhawk57

Diagnosed in Sept 2009. Had 8 chemo treatments and then a simple mastectomy with sential node biopsy on the left side and a modified radical mastectomy with 11 nodes removed and 6 were positive in Feb this year. Had 33 rads on the right side. Doing well but my tumor marker has risen to 48. Anybody else with cancer in both breasts at the same time?

mrsnjband

Ladyhawk,

I haven't had cancer on both sides. I had a DMX in 08 hoping to avoid having a reoccurance on the other side.  As you know IBC is very agreesive and I wanted to improve my odds. 

Tumors markers are just a tool for the doctors. Could mean something, could mean nothing. 

Sorry you had this on both sides, my friend at school had that happen 8 years after the first.  So hang in there.  I'm sure there are others here that have had this happen.

Sending love & prayers.  Have a Blessed Christmas. NJ

ebann

I had cancer IBC on my left side & DCIS on my right side. This was in 2008. I did a year of chemo along with rads 33 of them. I have a recurrence now of bone mets just got dx a month ago. Hang in there. As NJ said the marker can mean something or not. Wish you the best! Merry Christmas!

Ladyhawk57

Thanks to you both for your replies. I hope this is just a fluke but it sure makes me nervous. My onc is scheduling me for a PET next week. I had a CT last month and all was well.

Merry Christmas to you both I pray we all have a great New Year!

Kindergarten

Yes, LadyHawk, (cute name by the way), I had bi-lateral breast cancer in 2004. I was Stage 2b on the left with one lymph node positive and stage 1 on the right side, no lymph node involvement on the right. My onc treated me very aggressively with neo-adjuvant chemo(8 months), bi-lateral masectomies, and 37 radiation treatments. I am currently on aromasin, been on it for 5 years. I really am doing quite well, just a little weight gain and joint pain. I wish you well in your journey and know you will be just fine. God bless you, Kathy

nanbvns

Yes, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts.  Left side 2 tumors, 9.5 cent. and 3 cent.,invasive ductal and lobular and 7 positive lymph nodes, Her2 negative.  Right side had 2 cent. with no lymph node involvement but Her2 positive.  I had dose dense AC, then 8 weekly Taxol with Herceptin, 37 rads on left side and Herceptin every 3 weeks to finish a year of treatment. I'm feeling good and all was clear at my checkup last Thursday.

lago

I had LCIS in the other breast (simple mastectomy on that side modified radical on the other). Granted that's pre-cancer but we know what pre-cancer can turn into if not removed.

kathy1925

I was diagnosed in May 2010 with DCIS grade 3 in the right breast, and IDC stage 1 grade 1 in the left side. I also had ADH in both breasts. Had simple bmx both sides, and sentinel nodes tested on both sides(negative). I am currently on arimidex, and doing well.

Ladyhawk57

I am soo happy to hear that you all are doing so good. I have read other posts where they were all so unhappy and in pain. I am on Arimidex and I feel great. The numbness and tingling from the Taxol is slowly leaving but it isn't too bothersome anymore. I do have mild lymphedema in the right arm but wearing the sleeve and glove helps greatly. Hope all had a great Christmas!

hanami

I have had bilateral BC. Got neo-adjuvant chemo for it, then double Mast., then radiation. So far so good, but I am currently anxious about some pain and lumpiness along my bra-line on the right side. We'll see what my Onc. suggests.

tibet

hanami

did you do a gene test and may i ask what your age is? hope your meeting Onc turns out fine...

defeatbc

Hi.

 I had Stage IIa IDC (small tumor and 1 positive node) on the left, and DCIS on the right.  The DCIS was discovered accidentally when I had my bilateral mastectomies.  I am BRCA negative, but have a family history of BC.  Both my mother and I continue to be NED (16 years for her, 3 years for me)

JeanneR

Hi. I have IDC on both side. As per the MRI, it is 1.1 cm on right, and several smaller on left side. I am having a BMX on March 24 and from there, depending on the pathologie report, will determine if I need chemo or not. No BC in the family before. I am 49 yrs old.

Kindergarten

Hi, JeanneR, I am almost a 7 year survivor of bi-lateral breast cancer,good wishes and prayers are coming your way. Love, Kathy

RangerMom

I'm newly diagnosed and not sure if I'm doing this right but I just got diagnosed with IDC rt breast and now waiting on the results of biopsies of left breast that looks like DCIS on MRI with no lymp involvement showing. I will hear results next week. My treatment plan originally was chemo to reduce the 2 lumps in the rt breats, lumpectomy with lymph nodes and then radiation. I'm wondering what treatment plan will be with a second cancer found in the other breast? Will it change if in both breasts? Thanks for replies.

Anonymous

RangerMom,



I am very sorry to hear about your situation. I have also had a plan to deal with bc in one breast completely altered by a dx of bc in the other breast a short time later. My doctor told me that having synchronous bilateral bc meant I was at high risk and recommended a BMX which is set for Apr 5/11 with immediate DIEP reconstruction. I hope your results come back negative in the second breast. Waiting is way worse than knowing whatever there is to know. Take care.

RangerMom

Winterpeg,

Your surgery is just around the corner!....please let us know how you are doing when you can. You are in our prayers for healing. RangerMom

Rennasus

Rangermom, welcome to the club that no one wants to join! I had a BMX due to family history even tho I had IDC just in my right breast. After BMX, the path report shower DCIS was also in my right breast along with the IDC. I'm glad I opted out of lumpectomy (my original plan) or the DCIS may not have been found.

Winterpeg, much luck with your upcoming surgery! 

RangerMom

I got the news today that I do have bilateral breast cancers. How do I add that to my profile . The left is DCIS and the right is 5 cm with a lyph involved. What do you think the treatment options will be? Anyone out there who's faced this at the early diagnosing stage? thanks

RangerMom

Winterpeg,

My prayers are for you tonight that your surgery goes extremely well and you are now on the road to being free of cancer.

RangerMom 

JFV

RangerMom- I am a few months out from treatment but had cancer in both breasts.  ILC with lymph nodes stage three on the left side and IDC no lymphnodes stage 1a on right.  I think I may have also had some DCIS somewhere.  I had agressive treatment. Bilateral mastectomy, ACT chemo, 25 rads on my left side and am on Tamoxifen now.  The cancer in the right side was a suspicious lump that had tested negative during a biopsy pre surgery.  I had wanted the bilateral mastectomy anyway.  Glad I got the bilateral. The surgeon told me I made the right call.

RangerMom

Thanks JFV. We were going with chemo, then lumpectomy when it was just diagnosed in the one breast. Meeting with my bs next week now to review since in both now. IDC in the right with 1 lymph and DCIS over a large area in the left with no lymphs. Its a moderate growing cancer, er pos, her2 neg. I'm guessing too that I'm moving from IIb to IIIa? So much I don't know right now. Today I go for my PET scan which will tell us more for diagnosis and treatment. Thanks for the info - need all I can get right now. Glad you are on the other side of treatment and a survivor! It is encouraging to us newbees.

Kindergarten

Hi, RangerMom!!! Sorry, that you are going through this, but please know there are many women out there who will give you such encouragement and support. I, too, had bilateral breast cancer, stage 2 in the left breast with one positive node and stage 1 in the right, no nodes involved. I just remember my onc saying, one breast or both, it doesn't matter, we are going to treat it aggressively and you will survive this. I am almost 7 years out!!!!!! You are a survivor, too. God bless you, Kathy

Kindergarten

Dear JFV, wow, you have been through alot, too. You are a survivor and may you have continued healing and strength. Have a great day, Kathy

Kindergarten

Dear JFV, wow, you have been through alot, too. You are a survivor and may you have continued healing and strength. Have a great day, Kathy

RangerMom

Kindergarten,

Would you mind sharing with me your treatment plan you were on. What came first, etc. Thanks!

Kindergarten

My pleasure RangerMom!!!! I was diagnosed in Nov. 2004. I started with neo-adjuvant chemo. 4 treatments of Adrimycin-Cytoxin( no side effects, felt really good the whole time, but I took Zofran for nausea) then I did four treatments of taxotere. 8 chemos total.  After my second treatment of ADC, tumors started shrinking. The small tumor in right breast totally disappeared by the end of treatment and  the tumor in my left had only remnants left, not sure what that meant, but I was so happy to hear. As the chemo is accumulative, by my 2nd treatment of taxotere, I started feeling tired and had headaches, but nothing I couldn't tolerate.My onc told me that I had an almost total pathological response to chemo. We were all so happy. That May, I had a BMX, no reconstruction. In June, I had 38 radiation treatments, just on the left side. I started Aromasin in July of 2005, I am still on it. In February, 2006, I had a total hysterectomy, another way of getting rid of the estrogen. Hope that helps, anytime you need info, just pm me. You are a survivor on the day that you were diagnosed. You will get through this, I promise!!!! Your picture is just beautiful. God bless you, Kathy

RangerMom

Kindergarten,

Your reply brings me tears of joy. Thank you so much. I hope to have a treatment course like yours. I'd like to start chemo to reduce the tumors, then do the surgery with radition to follow. Just like my bs first suggested. I'm so ready to get started! Interesting about the hysterectomy too, hadn't thought of that. I would definitely like to talk with you more. I feel a great connection with you.

Kindergarten

Dear RangerMom, Your reply was so wonderful. I am so glad you are feeling so positive and uplifted, your wonderful and positive attitude will make this journey doable. You made me feel so good I see that you live in Kent, Ohio. I did all my treatment in Pittsburgh at Magee Women's Hospital. My onc there just released me to see his colleague in Chicago. We were transferred to IN, right outside of Chicago. Are you near the Cleveland  Clinic. I had a second opinion there. Anytime you want to talk, I am here for you. I am home by late afternoon. I took a subbing position until after Easter. God bless you!!! What a lovely lady you are, Kathy

JFV

Hi Rangermom and Kindergarten-  Thanks for your kind words.  Since my left side was stge three grade three I was given agressive treatment.  I think that you are treated according to your highest grade and stage on one side.  I believe I got bumped up to stage three because after surgery they found that I have 5 positive lymph nodes.  I believe that 4 positive lymph nodes or less keeps you a stage 2 as long as your tumor is not huge.  I was never offered chemo prior to surgery.  Having a bilateral mastectomy was a good decsion for me because I knew ahead of time I would be a nervous wreck each time I had to have a mammogram or biopsy post cancer treatment.  I believe that you get a mammogram every 6 months after a lumpectomy.  At this stage in my treatment I see the oncologist every three months and have blood work done.  In a couple of weeks I will have a full body PET/ CT scan which will fall on the one year anniversary of surgery.  I have silicone implants now and my "breasts",chest and a little bit of my back no longer feel like they are part of me.  I have numbness as well as aches and pains.  BUT, life goes on.  I laugh, I exercise, I work, I travel, I take care of my family.  I may never be the same.  But, I will be ok and so will you !

Kindergarten

Dear Joan, It so was nice to hear from you!!! You have such a positive attitude!!! You are going to be O.K. God bless you, Kathy