Elective surgery - could it encourage sleeping cells to wake?

Newnorm

Hi

I have chosen to have some elective surgery on my feet as I have bunions that sadly are getting worse and need to be corrected. I’m concerned that the trauma of surgery may wake up any sleeping cancer cells. I’d love to hear some positive stories of other survivors that have had elective surgery years after BC. Were you ever worried about this? Not sure if I’m over reacting. Anyone know anything about this topic? Thanks in advance

TectonicShift

I do believe this is a concern. When I was having a small surgery I made the anesthesiologist give me a shot of Torodol (Ketorolac) beforehand. Google Ketorolac and breast cancer occurrence. Also google total IV anesthesia and cancer recurrence. You have a right to talk to the anesthesia team and get the treatment you want before your elective surgery. I think the trials around this topic are still ongoing but there is some evidence that there are steps you can take to try to prevent the proliferation of cancer cells after surgery. I asked my oncologist about this. He said it makes sense to him that surgery could cause cancer cells to "wake up" and/or proliferate because the process of wound healing releases all sorts of nasty (his word) hormones designed to generate cell growth.

Newnorm

Thanks TectonicShift. Great tips and makes sense. Much appreciated. Xx

gb2115

Wouldn't the tamoxifen shut the cells down if that happens, in theory?

TectonicShift

.

gb2115

Right, hence the people who get recurrences while taking it....so disappointing!

WC3

Newnorm:

I think it's a valid concern but probably only accounts for a minority of recurrences. My grandmother had two seperate occurrences of breast cancer, contralateral, in the 1950s before chemotherapy was used for breast cancer. Instead, she had a radical mastectomy with lymph node dissection, and radiation. In her lifetime after that she had two major surgeries and never had a recurrence.

Newnorm

WC3

Thanks for that reassuring post. I’m going to do everything I can in terms of preparing my body beforehand and ensuring I eat to heal post surgery. Fingers crossed any sleeping cells stay that way!

santabarbarian

read about modified citrus pectin... I believe it reduces migration of bc cells taken prior to surgery

Newnorm

thanks. I have heard some info about Modified citrus pectin before. Good tip. Thank you! I appreciate all he help here ladies. Xx

Lucca06

I have had 9 surgeries since my mastectomy in 2011 and am healthy and cancer free. You are on an AL so that should protect you. Good luck. x

TectonicShift

Right I should have been clearer - I don't believe it's a given that surgery will reactivate residual cancer. I do think there is evidence that it might increase the risk of recurrence but also there are steps you can take that might mitigate the associated risk. Like a simple dose of Ketorolac. Or electing total iv anesthesia -- possibly. This is a newer area of research.

Newnorm

Thanks Lucca06 that’s reassuring to hear. I’m requesting Ketorolac as part of my pain managementand am doing everything I can (healthy and fit) to help myself. Thanks for providing feedback.

TectonicShift

I think it's important that the Ketorolac is administered just BEFORE the surgery. Just fyi.

Newnorm

thanks Tectonshift. I’ll speak to the anesthetist beforehand

karen1956

Hi newnorm,

Since Dx and mastectomy, I've had multiple surgeries - a few related to the BC - reconstruction (3) and oophorectomy plus 3 wrist surgeries, and 2 colonoscopies. MY last wrist surgery was in 2008 - going on 12 years ago. All the doctors were aware of my medical history. No one ever mentioned (including my oncologist) that surgery would put me at risk for a recurrence or even worse mets. All necessary precautions were taken).

Newnorm

Thanks Karen, I appreciate you sharing. I’ve gone ahead with the surgery yesterday, so recovering today. Just focusing on doing everything I can to heal and stay healthy. Fingers crossed I’m still cancer free in many many years to come. As I hope and pray we all are. Love Keryn