Recurrence after one year

Unbreakable01

After a year I've been diagnosed with a recurrence. May 2015 I was diagnosed with Stage 2 mucinous carcinoma, ER/PR +, HER2-. I had a mastectomy and when pathology came back it showed the tumor was close to the chest wall. My surgeon mentioned possible radiation or monitoring me closely. I liked the idea of monitoring me closely. My oncologist at that time said radiation wasn't needed.

May 2016 I discovered a small lump. My original was at 8-9 o'clock, this was at 10 o'clock. The needle biopsy showed atypical cells, so we went ahead with the wire guided excisional biopsy. Pathology said mucin was present and they couldn't fully exclude a recurrence of my cancer.

My new oncologist first said instead of monitoring me at 6 months it'd be every 3 months. My surgeon was suspicious of the result and brought it up at conference and there were 4 other oncologists and the radiation oncologist. She said most likely I had a local recurrence, and my oncologist agreed as well. However the cells must have been small because the atypical cells didn't show up on pathology. The mucin which was in the cells could only be caused by cancer.

The next step is to meet with the radiation oncologist and discuss radiation. My surgeon said it's best to radiate due to the fact that my cells came back within a year. It's a low grade cancer, but my cells are persistent.

I had 4 months where I could breathe after the exchange surgery, then the new lump came. I look forward to the day when I can breathe and relax. After this is done, I'm taking a cruise. I had to put off a trip for cancer survivors due to going back to surgery.

bevin

goodness, I'm sorry you're going through this. glad they caught it though and have a plan for you. keep us posted of your progress.

KBeee

Sorry you have to deal with this again, but glad they've caught it very early

Unbreakable01

Will do. My consultation with the radiologist is scheduled for next Wed. It was good it was caught early. I check myself a lot.

NancyHB

So sorry you've had a recurrence, but so glad it was caught early. Please do let us know how you're doing.

Moderators

Unbreakable, we're sorry to hear this... and wanted to let you know that we're thinking of you. Please let us know how it goes with radiologist.

The Mods

Unbreakable01

Thank you. I finished.wished radiation last Friday. The boost area is red and peeling, but my energy levels were good. I'm back to full 9 hour days.

KBeee

Congratulations on finishing rads

Unbreakable01

Thank you!

I'm wondering if anybody knows the answer to this. I can ask my doctor the next time I see her.

I'm not worrying about this, but just curious. Does having a recurrence early (within 1 year) increase ones chances of having other cancers down the road?

I don't have an aggressive type of cancer with mucinous carcinoma, however, it did come back within a year. I know statistics aren't everything, but it's hard always finding them.

Thanks!

KBeee

Statistucslly, recurrence within 2 years puts you at a bit of a higher risk, but unfortunately, data on local recurrences is sparse.