What next time?

hmmelissa

I have just been diagnosed with a second cancer (right breast-DCIS) 6 months after finishing treatment (lumpectomy/rads) for IDC in my left breast.   I am needing to decide b/t BMX or another lumpectomy with rads.  If I choose the latter, this will be my last shot at rads because I will have had them in both breasts.   My question is this - if I do the lumpectomy/rads this time, and anything comes back or a new cancer pops up, will I absolutely need chemo?

Thanks in advance!

BookWoman

I don't have an answer for you, but I would be interested to see what others have to say. I had DCIS in 2010 and tubular carcinoma in 2012. Had lumpectomy and rads for both, so I'm in a similar situation. I wasn't and still am not ready to have BMX , but I know that if it comes back or a new cancer appears I would need MX. Have you had the BRCCA test? I did and don't have the mutation--that was a big factor in my decision not to have BMX when I got the second breast cancer. Good luck with whatever decision you reach.

Curlylocks

It depends on whether what type of cancer shows up, grade of cancer, size of tumour, type of receptors (er/pr and her2) and your age.  If it is DCIS again, most likely not.  If invasive depending on size of tumour - a likely hood of needing chemo.

It would not be wise of me to advise you what to do as far as mast/lump.  You have to do what you can live with down the line if this did come back a third by safesaver" in_rurl="http://i.txtsrving.info/click?v=Q0E6NTg5MjU6NDp0aW1lOmQ1NThhNDgxNWU4NmFhMjY0N2U4ZjE0YTc2ZTMzN2FhOnotMTU0Ni0yODc2MDk6Y29tbXVuaXR5LmJyZWFzdGNhbmNlci5vcmc6MTgxNDI2OjA6ZWNhOGM2ZGM4ZTM3NGIyNjllNGJkZTc1NGRjN2Q4ZTU" id="_GPLITA_1" href="#">time.  In my case I had IDC the first time in 2005, did a lumpectomy with whole nine yards of treatment - chemo, rads, ovary removal and here I sit in 2014 with a new Primary in the same breast as my first cancer.   I did a prophy mast with immediate reconstruction hoping to avoid a reoccurance or New Primary but I guess I missed the boat:(

My gut told me to have them both removed in December 2013, although at the time I didnt know I had a little bugger by safesaver" in_rurl="http://i.txtsrving.info/click?v=Q0E6NTg5MjU6NDpzaXR0aW5nOjk4ZTM0N2Y0OTZiYjNhMzRjMjg3YTAyNTYyNmNjZTRmOnotMTU0Ni0yODc2MDk6Y29tbXVuaXR5LmJyZWFzdGNhbmNlci5vcmc6MTgxNDI2OjA6MzkwNzVjMzAwZjViNDRmY2EzOGRlODgwMDRmN2U1NTY" id="_GPLITA_2" href="#">sitting in there already.  I am glad I listened to my gut it probably saved my life.

Michele

hmmelissa

Thanks to you both - I'm going to try to get some clarity from my nurse navigator - she is taking my case to the tumor board tonight, so I am hoping for a bit more guidance from them.   I am BRCA negative, but when this cancer popped up a couple of weeks ago, they did offer me additional genetic testing, which is out for results now and due back in a couple of weeks.   I'm not sure if I'll wait for that to come back.   I'll report back when I hear tomorrow - thank you...

I just figured since they seem to want to do radiation with DCIS no matter what, once rads are no longer a possibility - what's next?

Michele - how do you like your reconstruction thus far?

Curlylocks

I am really pleased with the results.  DIEP is a tough surgery but definitely worth it!

Michele

hmmelissa

Just wanted to follow up - my case went to the tumor board and because my second cancer is DCIS, contained per the MRI, and so small, a mastectomy was not medically recommended unless it was my personal choice.   I am relieved to have an opinion finally (no doctor would really say one way or the other).   I was ready to move forward with it if recommended, but wasn't really ready to do it.   So, another lumpectomy and more rads for me, unless the additional genetic testing shows something.   I feel a bit of peace for the first time in about two weeks!

Bookwoman - my navigator echoed exactly what Curlylocks wrote regarding whether chemo would absolutely be required with a 3rd cancer (short answer -no)

I know this is something I may have to face again down the road -  but for now I am happy to have a plan I feel like I can live with.   Thanks all!

pattij

I had dcis in 2006 clear margins no rad...and I  so glad I didn't do rad then because if it came back as invasive down the road it wouldn't be an option...just got diagnosed with IDC def doing rad now... IMO Rad with dcis should be patient decision my Dr suggested it I said no think I made the right decision...

pattij

On the other hand, maybe if i had done rad and/or mastectomy with the dcis DX 6 years ago i would not have this new worse cancer now???  I dont know, it just seemed overkill at the time ...i know I need to be much more aggressive with treatment this time around...