In treatment, need Liver biopsy, likely metastases?

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Hi,

My gf lives in a non-english speaking country and language is a bit of an issue when communicating about her current medical condition, so I was hoping I could get some additional information from this forum.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer about a year ago and has been going through treatment. At that time they found a tumor approx. 2cm as well as cancer cells in the aux lymph nodes. Diagnosed as IDC and Her2+. She had a masectomy about 4 months ago, after which she went on chemo again. Last week she had mid treatment tests. One of the tests revealed a 2 cm abnormality on her liver. She is going in for a biopsy in about a week.

Is it likely the cancer has metastasized? Any comments on this would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Comments

  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2016

    Imaging such as a PET scan would give a good idea of metastasis, but the only sure way to know is a biopsy. It is good they ordered one. I am so sorry that your gf is facing this. I know this is a stressful time for both of you. Best wishes. Keep us posted. Hoping it comes back benign.

  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited December 2016

    Dan888, did they do a set of scans before they started treatment? If so, and they were clean, it is possible this is not metastasis. It would be kinda odd for it to grow immediately to that size whilst she's on chemo for the first time.

    The biopsy will tell for sure. I'll cross my fingers for you!

  • Dan888
    Dan888 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2016

    KBeee and pajim, thank you for the information and your kind words, they are much appreciated. She just got the results of the Liver CT she did on Monday, it appears to be a 3cm abnormality, so the doctor confirmed she will need to do a biopsy this weekend. Prior to her mastectomy, there were no signs of anything in her liver, which hopefully means it's something else, but I guess the flip side of that would be if it has metastasized the cancer is growing at an extraordinary rate. I don't know if the tests she did prior to her mastectomy missed this or not.

  • stephincanada
    stephincanada Member Posts: 228
    edited December 2016

    Hi Dan,

    You mentioned that your girlfriend was treated with chemo. I just want to make sure that she also received Herceptin to treat this cancer (and perhaps Perjeta as well).

    Crossing my fingers for benign results from the biopsy.

    Stephanie

  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2016

    Hoping for benign results, Keep us posted

  • Dan888
    Dan888 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2017

    Unfortunately it is metastatic, and particularly aggressive, prognosis is not good. The plan is to go on Kadcyla. Thank you all for your kind words.

  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2017

    Dan888, I am so very, very sorry. Hoping the Kadcycla keeps it at bay for a long time

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