Two cancer at once

LisaEpstein

Eight weeks ago I had uterus cancer very early stage all that was needed was surgery . Now I found out I have breast cancer also very early stage needed a lymsectomy some radiation and hormone drugs. Can't believe I had two cancers back to back, anyone else experience anything like what I am going through?

LisaEpstein

Two cancers back to back.

bdavis

Well... the good news is is that it is sheer irony and not related to one another, right?? Maybe when our senses are keen on the first diagnosis it gets us looking at other things... so I guess try to look at it like the glass half full... Both caught. Both caught early. Moving on.

voraciousreader

I was in the infusion room yesterday and I overheard the physician assistant telling one of the nurses that a patient was getting a port ASAP and was going to be treated for a sarcoma and then would get breast cancer treatment afterwards. My head started spinning when I heard that. I felt so bad for this stranger.



Good luck to you. Sounds like you have a very good prognosis.

o2bhealthy

I was dx'd with bc May 09', Thyroid cancer Oct 10', not as quick of turn around but sure felt 'back to back' for me as I had just finished my year of Herceptin Aug 10' Both were early stage too

Best wishes!

LisaEpstein

Does anyone know what treatment I will need with my bc. Stage 1 grade 3 er positive lympe nodes neg and clear margins? Do you think I will be ok I am scared!!!

Fearless_One

Lisa, at my facility, they generally would not do chemo for stage 1 with no node involvement, but would do an oncotype test.   But different oncs may proceed differently.

bdavis

Lisa.. I tend to agree with Fearless... The grade 3 means its aggressive, but ER positive is good... you should respond well to hormone therapy. Clean margins are always good... no nodal involvement also very good... So, you had the lumpectomy... when do you start rads or have you already? I know its crazy that you got two cancers, but very fortunate that you caught them early.

LisaEpstein

Thanks for all you replies! I am calling the oncologist today hopefully I will get in this week. I know that it was grade 3 but everything else was in my favor. The fact that it was grade 3 and did not spread to margins or lympe nodes is a good thing right? It is out now also!!!

Momine

yes, that is good. ER+ is also good.

asmd

Lisa, and o2be healthy- Mutations of PTEN gene cause breast, thyroid and uterine cancer. I found out the hard way, had uterine followed by breast and suspected something genetic. In most-but not all-also assoc with skin lesions. Usually large head also. I had genetic testing and had a single point mutation (vs a large deletion) it's thought the disease (cowdens's) is under-recognized because not everyone has the classic skin growths. All my doctors blew me off, until the genetic testing came back. You can make appt with genetic counselor. Also look at cleveland clinic site-google CC and PTEN and you'll see criteria for disease. If you see genetic counselor, and meet criteria, you can get enrolled in CC study and have genetic testing free, which is otherwise very expensive.

asmd

I also had stage 1, er+, pr-, her2-. grade 3, no nodes. Oncotype came back at 35, surprising everyone and I had chemo as result. If they didn't do oncotype, you can call surgeon and ask that it be done. It's standard for stage 1 node neg tumors. yes, it's good that you had good margins and no nodes involved.

Hortense

I'm so sorry for you. I hope things are going as well as possible for you. I, too, have two cancers.

I was diagnosed with BC in late January and was just told that, along with cancer cells in the two lympnodes removed during my lumpectomy a week and a half ago, there were also found Lymphoma cancer cells. So, it seems I have a low level of Lymphoma as well. It's a Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. I'm just learning about it.

This was a surprise to everyone, my doctors included who tell me it's very unusual, but I'm trying to roll with it and am hoping for the best. I'm having a PET scan in a few days to see what else might be going on.

Radiation and any other BC treatment has to be put off until this new information is sorted out so that a plan for treatment of BC can be decided on that won't trigger the Lymphoma into high gear. My husband knows, but I haven't told my extended family as they would drive me crazy with their fussing and concern and I prefer to keep the stress level - their's mostly - as under control as I can.

This is going to be an interesting experience. I wish you good luck. Take care of yourself.

Anonymous

I don't know what came first, but I was one sick woman with my memory all but gone, couldn't work or drive or barely talk and wake sense.  Did everything to get better and didn't.  Found cancer mass in breast, started treatments (I'm an alternatives gal) for cancer and my memory came back, sharp again.  I believe that once there is cancer in one spot, it is systemic and the factor for me is to treat all of me as if I have cancer everywhere.  I hope this works for me, I want to stay real, honest with myself and be healthy in a healing way.

You are fortunate in that your cancer bells rang really early for you in both places, it is good the doctors looked and found.  

How did they find the uterine cancer?  Symptoms?

 Diane Essa but you can call me whatever...

LisaEpstein

I was bleeding for 2 year heavy clots did a biopsy and found it. Had a hysterectomy and that's all I needed. Than found the breast cancer had lumpectomy and now I am in my fourth week of radiation. Than what guess I will always be wondering if it came back. What a way to live!

bdavis

Hortense... I recently met a woman who has BC and lymphoma... she was told no implants but needs a MX, so she is going to New Orleans to have hip flaps.. her oncologist approved of the surgery.

poeticrevolver

Hello. I too have breast cancer, dx june 2010, and in mid october , same year,dx with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. First had a lumpectomy in July. Then in Oct. had a thymectomy to remove a tumor, which was actually lymph nodes, one after another, growing on and over each other. Freaky! They said it was something they had never seen. I first did rad. for bc. I could only do 7 actual times, for I felt like I was dying. Then started chemo for the lymphoma, since it's said to be cureable. I have already had one scare. I now am in the middle of yet another huge scare. I also have lyme disease, fibromyalgia, paraneoplastic syndrome, arthritis, tumor on liver, seizures, sleep apnea, lesions on brain, tumor in brain and a hemorage in the brain also. That is still geitting firgured out.

I recently started developing light red spots on my left breast, where the lmpectomy was. Actually right around it. My breasts hurt like he**, I have to put ice packs on them, and having stabbing headaches. I am worried that the bc is back. Also worried that it has spread, I am having all the same symptoms I did before I found out I* had cancer.

If any one knows or has any advise about my situation, please let me know. Mine too was back to back. I have become such a stronger person going through this, yet I am human, and the fear still comes back at times, especially now. I am 80% bedridden, which I hate. I have three children I so miss going out with. The beach, playing outside, walking the dog, everything. My dear husband became my caretaker, he is my rock. I love him so very much. I send my love and prayers to you all.

Thanks for reading. I have been so lonely, realy need to start talking to others again. 

God bless you all!

bdavis

Poetiticrevolver.. Wow.. You have had a rough couple of years... I have nothing to add, but wanted to send <<<HUGS>>>

Soccermom4force

Lisa& Poeticrevolver, has anyone ever discussed BRCA testing with you? Or testing for any other cancer syndromes? I would think that you might be  good candidates. Please ask your Oncologist for a referral to a Certified Genetics Counselor for an evaluation,it may give you the answers you are seeking,

Marcia

SueRae1

Just found this board.  I was diagnosed with advanced renal cell carcinoma in July 2009.  In Sept 2010 I was diagnosed with stage 1 TNS invasive ductile cell carcinoma.  The tumor was less then 1 cm, and had not spread, I had a lumpectomy the margins were clear.  I also received radiation treatment in Mar/April of 2011, but no chemo, as they felt the risk of taking me off my renal cell chemo was more risky the the benefit of having chemo for the breast cancer.   I found out last week that new lesions on my liver were not renal cell (this cancer seems to be very stable) but breast cancer.   I am now awaiting my treatment plan.  The oncologist wanted to start this Thursday, by DD is graduating college on Friday so we postponed my first treatment until Monday or Tuesday I am freaking out!

kestrelgurl

Hortense,

I was diagnosed with both BC and CLL in Sept '11. I had a large mass (didn't show on mammogram or ultrasound) that was clearly visible in my small breast. When they did the biopsy, they also took a fine needle biopsy from my armpit and that showed no BC, but small cell lymphoma instead. They confirmed the lymphoma was also in the bone marrow with a bone marrow biopsy 2 weeks post-BMX.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!  Me, who never wins anything, gets lucky at the cancer lottery! 

I had a BMX in October, followed by 28 rad treatments because the tumor was so close to my chest wall. The BC is stage IIb and the CLL is stage 0/1. I am on a watch and wait with 3 month bloodwork for the CLL and Tamoxifen.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed by it all. I tried to explain to my mom that the CLL was like being handed a bomb and told that we don't know what kind of bomb it is......or how big it is......or if it will ever go off.....but just carry it around and try not to think about it. Amazingly, some days I can actually pull it off.

PS - Since the #1 secondary cancer to CLL is skin cancer, I went to see a dermatologist.....yeppers, I got that, too. Squamous cell, so it could be a lot worse.