Second local recurrence with no metastasis

breastfriends

I am looking for anyone who has been diagnosed with a second local recurrence of breast cancer and the treatment/outcome you experienced. To date have not found a women with a case similar to mine. I would love to hear your story!

In 2000 (at 36) I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 2, ER+ with no positive lymph nodes. I had a total mastectomy and CMF chemotherapy followed by 5 years of Tamoxifen. The cancer recurred locally in 2006, same pathology, no lymph nodes and clear PET scan. I had the tumor removed followed by ACT chemotherapy and radiation.

I was recently diagnosed with a second local recurrence with the same pathology, no lymph nodes and clear PET scan. I moved my treatment to the Mayo Clinic this time and am currently recovering from a "completion" mastectomy that removed the large tumor, most of my left pectoral muscle and remaining breast tissue (left the surgeon of the original mastectomy 15 years ago). My new surgical oncologist was able to excise it all with clear margins.

I will be starting radiation and hormone therapy for the second time because I've been told that second recurrences have high probability of metastasis even if mine isn't apparent on my PET scan yet. If someone has or knows of someone's case similar to mine, I could really use your help!

Moderators

Dear breastfriends, Welcome to the BCO community. We hope that you will find some members with similar stories and experiences. We are glad that you reached out here. Stay connected and keep us posted. The Mods

katcar0001

Hi Bestfriends - there are other threads with women who had similar issues. Here is one to check out: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/106/topic...

You'll get lots of support there!

Nell19

Hi,

I know this response comes a long time later, but I am dealing with similar issues. I was first diagnosed 15 years ago, a small grade 1 tumour with no positive nodes, but dcis throughout the breast. I subsequently had a complete mastectomy.

After 5years on tamoxifen, I had a recurrence in the same breast. Again a small tumour followed by radiation , an oophorectomy and 5 years on arimadex. Now, 11years later, I have just had another wide excision to remove a larger tumour. The bs took out a lot of axillary tissue, but did not find any visible   lymph nodes there. ( I believe they were all removed first time round).

I'm waiting now for path results but wonder what options are open to me. The bs said any further radiation is not possible.

Wondering if anyone else has been in a similar situation?

KBeee

depending on pathology, they may consider chemo. Sorry you are dealing with this again

Pittsburgh

Just found out I have a stage 2, 5 cm. mixed mucinous carcinoma with dcis, my second, after 9 years, in the same breast. Took tamoxifen for two of those years. My doctor says he can't do radiation again in this breast, so it will have to be a mastectomy. Oncologist says he won't know if I should have chemotherapy until oncotype results come in after surgery. Anyway, I'm trying to decide whether or not I want reconstruction -- it seems like such a big deal and lots more surgery. What are you thinking you will do?

Unbreakable01

I just had something somewhat similar happen. I was diagnosed with stage 2 mucinous carcinoma last May, ER/PR +, HER2 -, no lymph nodes involved. I had a mastectomy and they put me on Tamoxifen. My tumor was near the chest wall and my surgeon had brought up radiation, but my oncologist said it wasn't needed.

One year later and a small lump appeared. I had a wire guided excisional biopsy. Pathology couldn't rule out my cancer, but mucin was found. My surgeon brought my whole history to 4 other oncologists and a radiation oncologist and they came to the conclusion that I had a local recurrence, but somehow the cancer cells didn't show up. They may have been zapped during surgery.

I am waiting for an appointment with the radiologist, but the next step is radiation. Because of my type of cancer they said I have a low chance of metastasis.

Have you started radiation yet?