New Primary Question

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karenann
karenann Member Posts: 70
edited June 2014 in Second or Third Breast Cancer

Hi, 

My friend was dx with a new primary (different breast from first) with the same pathology as the first bc.  Her surgeon is telling her that this new cancer was probably there three years ago when she was dx with the first and that chemo didn't work for her.   The rest of her body is clean (pet scan), so if chemo didn't work, then why doesn't she have mets to lungs, liver, bone, etc.? 

I thought that a new primary didn't have anything to do with chemo treatment.  What are your thoughts?

She is not going to take chemo and her cancer is 2.8cm (don't know about the lymph nodes yet) triple negative. 

Karen 

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  • Jellydonut
    Jellydonut Member Posts: 1,043
    edited December 2008

    Karen,

    I'm sorry to hear of your friend's condition.  Thankfully, her PET scan is clear.  Mets to organs is almost unexplanable.  About 35% of women do get mets but trying to ascertain who will or won't  is still a big mystery.

    Did she have a mastectomy the first time?  I'm surprised to hear the surgeon would say that the chemo did not work.  If  she had lumpectomy the first time and the breast is free of cancer then it did work.  The second cancer could have been very small three years ago an not detectible. 

    There are many chemo cocktails and if you read the boards here you will find that many women have had recurrences and mets are still alive and well do to finding the right chemo.

    It's best for her to discuss all possibilities with her oncologist.  Please don't give up hope.  Wishing you and she the best possible outcome.

    Jelly

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  • tos
    tos Member Posts: 376
    edited December 2008

    Hi Karen, why isn't your friend going to do chemo?  Triple negative is very aggressive.

     Your friend might also consider having genetic testing.  This website, http://www.facingourrisk.org  has alot of information on hereditary cancer.  Does she have a family history?

    I also was diagnosed 12/02 trip neg and again 2/07 on the other side tri neg and it was considered a new primary.  I did do chemo but no rads, had had a bilateral mastectomy after being diagnosed the second time.  Also found out I was BRCA 1+.

    Another reason I bring up your friend seeing a genetic counselor is that trip negs with a BRCA mutation have up to a 50% chance of getting bc on the other side.  Alot of tri negs have a mutation but not all.  BRCA 1 mutations are usually triple negative pathologies.

     Also I would suggest you also check out http://www.tnbcfoundation.org .  This website focuses on triple neg bc and you will find alot of info there, a great forum where you can ask any questions and research information there too.

    Something to think about and good luck to your friend.  It is very kind of you to do research to help her, that will mean alot to her.

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  • Roja1955
    Roja1955 Member Posts: 235
    edited December 2008

    I had a new second bc this year (initial dx 2003).  My doctor said this is a red flag for BRCA - so I was tested and Thank God it was negative.  Your friend will probably do best with mastectomy (bi-lat) if she had a lump the first time.  There are so many different chemos, so I don't understand her oncs comment.  It is a blessing that her PET is clear and wishing her complete irradication of this new bc.

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  • karenann
    karenann Member Posts: 70
    edited December 2008

    Thanks for the information Jelly and Galnok...

    Galnok, the reason my friend is not going to do chemo, is because her surgeon told her that this new primary means that chemo didn't work the first time, 3 1/2 years ago.  I told her that I am not a doctor, just a well informed bc patient and what her doctor told her does not make sense to me.  She is 73, so maybe that has something to do with her decision. 

    I just hate to hear that her surgeon is telling her that chemo didn't work.

    Karen 

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  • tos
    tos Member Posts: 376
    edited December 2008

    Well you know with this being a new primary and triple neg it seems from I read on the boards from ladies that triple neg can be very aggressive, I've read of women getting large lumps overnight so it is possible this tumor just came up.

    That's too bad that her surgeon said that, a second opinion would be a good idea.  Maybe it was her decision but I still see 73 as young.  Good luck to her.

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  • smerf
    smerf Member Posts: 615
    edited December 2008

    Hi Karen,

    It is so good of you to be concerned about your friend. It would be a good idea for her to consult her medical oncologist, because they are the ones who determine whether or not chemo is needed. Surgeons only do the surgery, and cannot prescribe chemo. Chemo works very well for triple negs, and 2.8 is a fairly large sized tumor. I am not sure why the surgeon would make any comment about her previous chemo, but there are many drugs, and drug combinations that can be used. Maybe you could talk to her about seeing a medical onc.

    Best of luck you, and your friend.

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  • karenann
    karenann Member Posts: 70
    edited December 2008

    Thanks for all of your help and advice ladies...

    I agree Galnok, 73 is still very young and she has a lot of living to do.  Also, that is true about triple negative being very aggressive and lumps showing up overnight. 

    My friend, Jan, believes in this new vitamin D therapy.  Her non conventional docs are telling her that large doses of D, should shrink the tumor and keep her from getting mets. I believe she should go see her onc and discuss the pros and cons of chemo...  I will mention this and all of the above to her during our next conversation.  

    Karen

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