New Tumor location? Always biopsy!! Mine changed 3x!

jnh

I am a transformer!

My breast cancer started in 2002 as stage 2 triple negative BC.

It sat dormant for 9 years after surgery and chemo.

Then, it returned in my sternum and lungs. Pathology showed genetics to be ER+PR+ Her2nu-

Approx 5 years later after working through many antihormonals, a tumor showed up in my liver. I pushed for a biopsy. This time, genetics were ER-PR- Her2nu+!! This was successfully treated with Kadcyla for 3 years.

Even with Kadcyla dropping tumor markers and keeping cancer out of liver, a lymph node in my chest and peritoneal spots grew. I asked for a biopsy just in case. Guess what?! Cancer genetic changes back to what it was in 2011.... ER+PR+ Her 2 nu - !!!’

I share this info just to encourage you to biopsy whenever possible. It can help you and your ONC choose the best ammo for your fight!!

Warrior on, fellow stage 4 fighters!

Julie

DivineMrsM

jnh, your changing bc pathology history is mindboggling! It really makes the case for getting biopsies when possible if the bc presents in different locations.

LoveFromPhilly

Thank you so much for this great post!

Full of wisdom and first-hand experience.

It is pretty fascinating how the cancer cells mutate. I wish I understood these mechanisms better.

And congratulations on your long-lasting wellness with Stage 4 MBC. It is an inspiration to read your dates and see how long you have been outrunning cancer

Lynnwood1960

My onc insisted I get a bone biopsy immediately due to this exact reason. Fortunately mine did not change

JFL

Wow, Julie, you have some "hot potato" / transformer cancer cells! Thanks for sharing. Good to know and think about in the future.

I have had one instance of minor variations (didn't make a difference in my treatment but could have indications about aggressiveness) at one point but my MO suspected at the time and still suspects that it was due to the small biopsy sample size for my second of three biopsies, which is the outlier. My initial breast biopsy in 2006 was ER+, PR+, HER equivocal; my initial mets dx from supraclavical lymph node biopsy in 2014 was ER+, PR-, HER- and then my liver biopsy in 2017 was back to the original ER+, PR+, HER equivocal.