Just Diagnosed with Chest Wall Recurrence After Mastectomy

JanMarch

It's been a while since I've visited the boards, as I thought BC was behind me, but I've been diagnosed with a chest wall recurrence this week and I'm looking for a little insight before my oncologist appointment next week.  A little background....I was originally diagnosed in 2009 with Stage I IDC.  I opted for mastectomy and due to a low Oncotype score (mine was 8) I didn't have chemo, but have been on tamoxifen for 5 years.  I also did not have radiation, as my lymph nodes were clear and my surgeon and oncologist both agreed it wasn't necessary.  In fact, my surgeon proclaimed me 100% cured!  2 years after my initial diagnosis and surgery, I noticed a hard, pink lesion on my mastectomy scar about the size of a dime.  I immediately showed it to my oncologist who sent me back to my surgeon.   Surgeon didn't want to perform a biopsy, as he was nervous about damaging the implant, so he sent me for an MRI.  He was confident that the area was scar tissue, and felt that if it was cancer it would show up on MRI.  MRI results were clear, and after hearing my surgeon insist it was scar tissue, and my oncologist and plastic surgeon agreed with him, I went on with life.  So here we are, 3 years past that MRI, the spot is bigger so I take it upon myself to go to a dermatologist.  She took one look at it and immediately did a biopsy.  Guess what, it's breast cancer!  Part of me was shocked, and part of me wasn't surprised. 

So, what does this mean?  How does a Stage I tumor with a low Oncotype score come back after a mastectomy?  What stage does this make me?  From what I've read online and on these boards, I think I'm Stage 3b?  My appointment with my onc to go over the biopsy report is next week, so I'm sure I'll find out more then, but I'm antsy and want to learn as much in the meantime. 

One good thing to report is that I had a CT scan yesterday and it came back clean, so thank goodness for that.

wintersocks

Hello janmarch,

Just bumping this up for you to see if anyone has any insight that might help..  

bevin

I am sorry about your recurrence. I have no input just wanted you to know you have our support. Someone will  be along soon who likely had a similar experience.

JanMarch

Thanks Wintersocks and Bevin.  Guess I'll just have to wait to see what the onc says, looks like I'm not going to get any info from the ladies here, which is really discouraging.  I've been on the internet and what I've read about chest wall recurrence after mastectomy is pretty depressing. 

J9W

Hi JanMarch, I am sending cyber hugs to you.  I have no experience with recurrence so can't give you any advice but want you to know that I'm saddend by your news.

LovieLovie

JanMarch - Sorry I wasn't able to see your post a couple of days ago.  I fall into this category. Just when you think you've beat the beast it comes back.  Mine came back over a year ago and I went thru chemo as well as radiation again .  Currently, I feel great, am getting my hair back.  I'll be out on the river gold panning tomorrow but I will check back to see if I can help you in any way.  It looks like you passed that 5 year mark...stinkin sneaky cancer!  You made it thru the 1st battle and you can do it again.  I've got your back!