Stg IV de novo with cervical lymph node met

KelQ

Anyone else in the same boat? Just started treatment with Letrozole and Ibrance and it doesn't feel like enough.

Moderators

Hi KelQ and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

We're so very sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but we're really glad you've found us. You're sure to meet many others here who have been where you are, and can offer advice, information, and support. We're all here for you!

You may want to reach out and introduce yourself on the popular Ibrance thread, where others share their experiences with the therapy.

We hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!

--The Mods

LoveFromPhilly

hi KelQ,

How’s it going?

I’m not 100% clear on your metastasis diagnosis - did you mean metastasis to a lymph node and also your cervical spine? Or a lymph node that is close to your cervical spine?

There’s a lot of us Stage 4’ers on Ibrance and letrozole here in this community, including me.

Please come over the the ibrance thread and introduce yourself and ask any questions you may have - there are so many people who are loving and helpful and can offer their wisdom and experience and optimism.

I was diagnosed in April 2017 with two lymph nodes in my armpit and heavy bone metastasis throughout my entire spine (cervical spine included), pelvis, scapula, sternum, etc.

I’ve been on Ibrance and letrozole since day one and am currently STABLE and living a relatively normal life. You’ll find many people like me and in different situations on these threads.

Hang in there, it’s a scary time when initially diagnosed. It will get less scary and it will get easier. Please give the Ibrance and letrozole at least 6 months to see results. It takes time.

Love,

Brend

LoveFromPhilly

here’s the Ibrance thread link

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topics/828848?page=528#top

Sadiesservant

Hi KelQ.

Don't be deceived by the fact that this is endrocrine treatment in pill form. They are powerful treatments that have kept many women in remission for a long time. Once you get used to the site, it would be good if you could share details about your diagnosis as it helps others to provide useful comments. (Assuming you are ER+ given treatment.)

Brenda, I think she means she has mets in a cervical node in the neck.

KelQ

Hi LoveFromPhilly,

My cancer has spread to lymph nodes in my neck (cervical nodes) which made me stg IV. Bones and organs are clear for now. Thanks for the reassurance. Feels like popping 2 pills each day isn't much for treatment, but I am reassured by the posts I have read here.

Sadiesservant, I didn't realize that my details werent visible. Hopefully I updated it correctly!

Thanks for taking time to reply! I was perfectly healthy a month ago and now I have stg IV breast cancer. It's a lot to swallow, but trying to get back to normal life!

KelQ

Also posted my question because it doesn't seem like cervical lymph node metastasis is very common. Most that I read about are bone/major organs. Thanks for sharing your stories!

theresa45

Hi KelQ,

I'm so sorry that you've been diagnosed Stage IV!! Letrozole/Ibrance is a powerful systemic treatment that can be just as effective as chemotherapy. If you only have one or a few cancerous nodes in your neck, you could consider local treatment like surgical removal of cancerous nodes or radiation treatment. I had cancerous nodes in my neck removed and then had proton radiation therapy to all locations that were previously cancerous. The previously treated nodes have all remained cancer-free since removal and radiation (Nov 2016). However, bone mets have appeared along with a few more cancerous nodes. I'm still Stage IV, but I believe that aggressive local treatment has helped to slow my cancer. The letrozole/Ibrance combination should be an effective treatment and give you time to investigate/consider local treatments. Best wishes! Theresa

Summerspring

hi, I also had it metastasize to my lymphnodes in neck. Did they biopsy the node?

I am supposed to start chemo next wk.

KelQ

Hi Summerspring, they did not biopsy the node (but did biopsy my axillary nodes). I asked my doctor about radiation and local treatments for the neck and she said they generally don't do that in stage 4. I am seeing an oncologist at my local hospital (suburban Chicago), but I would like to seek a second opinion at a bigger hospital just to make sure I am on the right track. I think the letrozole and ibrance is the right treatment for me, but I am wondering if I am missing out on adjunt treatments as well. I was just diagnosed in January, so I am still learning. Best of luck to you as you start chemo next week - lots of positive vibes!

KelQ

@ Theresa45 - did the radiation that they did to your neck have a lot of side effects? I was going to ask my doctor about this, but read other peoples posts about needing feeding tubes etc with radiation to the cervical nodes/neck area. Perhaps not as much with Proton therapy? We have a Proton Center close by - maybe it's an option for me! Thanks for your post - I am 1 month post diagnosis and am learning so much from people like you!