BC recurrence in Mediastinum lymph nodes

Tough40

Hello, I was originally diagnosed with BC in early 2012. I`ve had a complete MX and suffered a recurrence in a lymph node in my chest ( mediastinum) in May of this year. Chemo was completed last month and now I am struggling with the fact that I may be stage 4. Actually, I have no idea if this recurrence is classified as a stage 4? Can someone help me? My Onco tells me technically I am but I am trying to find comfort in knowing this may have been a regional recurrence as opposed to an recurrence in my bones or liver for example. Honestly, I`m terrified and suffering extreme anxiety over this. I`m trying to wrap my head around what's in store for me. Can anyone provide some insight as to my status and what should I expect from now on in terms of cancer recurrence? Many thanks

MinusTwo

Tough - sorry to hear about your recurrence. Unfortunately your doctors are the only ones who can accurately stage your disease. If you go ahead and post your stats at "My Profile", others will have an easier time answering.

SummerAngel

According to this: http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/s...

you wouldn't be stage IV. Did you have positive axillary nodes as well? That would make a difference, but if the chart is correct you still wouldn't be stage IV.

Tough40

Thank you

KBeee

Sorry you had to deal with the recurrence. Regardless of stage, the fact that it has not metastasized to organs in good news. Hoping it stays away from further nodes and organs for years and years and years.

SSInUK

Dear Tough40 - I totally understand your horrible stress and panic and your attempt to understand what it means - but I often think these stats and stages are an imprecise, evolving field that don't entirely give us peace or clarity anyway.  I had recurrence in my Internal mammary chain, what you have is what my Oncs now keep scanning for, expecting to find in me - they're the next nodes in the same chain.  In the course of my researches, I did read about targeted radiotherapy (proton beam being the most advanced) for recurrences limited to mediastinal nodes, with some good results.  It was a small study with a limited follow up period - two or three years - but nonetheless for a number of patients they became, and stayed, NED in this time thanks to the radiotherapy.  It might be something you want to look into.  It opens the possibility that with new treatments like this, recurrences that in the past would have been classed as stage 4 - ie inoperable/unreachable except by systemic treatments - may now be targetable physically.  Which is why I think staging is something of a moving target and what the books say 'technically' is not necessarily meaningful in practice.  On the 'positive' side - sorry if that's a dumb rubbish word to use - because 'technically' it may be possible to class your recurrence as stage 4, you should be 'eligible' for any and all systemic treatments they can throw at you, so go for it....And - this is really positive - there is no evidence of cancer elsewhere in your body, if I understand you.  Terrifying - but hold on to that.  I am in the opposite camp - 'technically' stage 3 but my Onc believes there may be further disease not showing on scans.  However I am not eligible for drugs such as Ibrance as I am not demonstrably Stage 4.  Which is a different kind of panic from yours, ie fear of under-treatment.  Do have a look at the specialist radiotherapy options.  I presume you're in the States.  The study I quoted was a small one in London.  But a guy in Houston was publishing on it and I spoke to him, he was up for this treatment.  MD Anderson are also aggressive and forward thinking in the radiotherapy field.  Perhaps your own centre may consider it.   Very good luck and best wishes, and all comfort. x

jackboo09

Hello

My name is Liz and I have just come across this thread. My case so far has ( I think) some similarities. I have a suspicious 29mm shadow in my chest. So far this is the only spread but here in the UK I have been told to expect a Stage 4. The biopsy results will be back on Tue.

I had a CT guided biopsy under local as this mass is not very deep. Perhaps 3-4 cm under the skin. An x Ray last night ( another A & E drama) showed it be in an internal mammary lymph node.

I am hoping for surgery but A& E doc said it was behind a bone??? And my breast consultant seems it's inoperable.

I am struggling to find much information about this specific kind of spread and what the likely treatments will be. I swing from some hope that this node is for now all there is, to despair and fear at being newly Stage 4.

I realise that only the results will give answers but thought someone might have suggestions?

Liz