squamous cell (metaplastic) carcinoma of the breast

lynnp

Hello,

I received a diagnosis of squamous cell (metaplastic) of the breast this month (February, 2016). 2 more biopsies next week. Anybody else out there?

Thanks.

Lynn

wrenn

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/137/topic...

here is a link to the metaplastic forum. So sorry you were diagnosed.

slv58

lynnp, I am also metaplastic, squamous, spindle. I was DX almost a year ago when I had a local recurrence of what was thought to be just TN. After MX, it was discovered to be metaplastic. Please don't google metaplastic, most information is outdated and limited. I believe most current thought on treatment is surgery first. Make sure you find a team who have some knowledge on this and don't be afraid of getting a second opinion. My advice is be as aggressive as you can. 

Hugs hon, you can do it!

Shari

mike3121

My wife, (now age 68) back in Dec of 2012 was diagnosed with Stage 4 ER+ breast cancer. One node and a small spot on the spine. After 3 infusions of AC she was clean except for the 6 cm tumor in her breast. The oncologist said since the cancer was responding well to estrogen blocker (aromasin) it was best to leave it be.

A little over a year later, Nov 2014 the cancer morphed and went crazy. She had a radical mastectomy and breast removal. A biopsy showed it to be ER+ and the oncologist prescribed tamoxifen. 19 lymph nodes were removed and 9 of the 19 had triple negative Metaplastic keratinized squamous carcinoma. A PET scan done after the surgery showed some cancer still in her armpit, probably spill over from the nodes. She has two cancers, one ER+ PR+ HER2- and another triple negative. She went back on A-C (lifetime amount), no Taxol as she almost died from it earlier. Also 7 weeks of radiation.

Well she did have major surgery to remove a tumor from her kidney. Eighty five percent were cancerous but her's was benign. Happy dance, she's NED and back on tamoxifen.

From what I gather there are about 8 different sub-types of metaplastic breast cancer. The best outcomes are the squamous and spindal cell types as they respond to chemo and radiation. Yea, all that info especially survival rates are way old or old data that keeps getting updated and presented as new.

Good luck

Mike W.

Moderators

Lynn, you'e received great advice here already. Ww welcome you here.

Moderators

Imerman Angels (http://imermanangels.org/), a patient-mentor matching service, is looking for someone diagnosed with pure squamous breast cancer who'd be willing to be a mentor to a newly diagnosed patient. Being a mentor means being someone who's "been there" who can provide support, empathy and understanding by phone, email, Skype, or even in person if you live in the same area. Imerman Angels currently has a newly diagnosed patient with pure squamous breast cancer who's in need of a mentor. Interested? Please contact Claire Nixon, Editorial Director at cnixon@breastcancer.org today and you'll be connected.