recurrance, dr.s stumpted about chemo

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Betht
Betht Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi, new to board and glad I'm here! 

First go-round was in 2004 and after lympectomy, a/c& t dense dose chemo and partical breast radiation (clinical trail) didn't expect to be back here. November was rediagnosed. Another triple neg. Went for mastectomy, immediate implant. Lymphs all clear, small compact tumor <1.3, and no c cells in any tissue. Been scanned from stem to stern and no problems.

Big question about follow-up chemo though. Anyone else with triple neg, local recurrance (or maybe not recurrance, dr.s can't tell) none invasive having chemo? Dr.s at Massachusetts General Hospital (the best) are stumpted on what chemo is best for me.

Thanks and ready to beat this a 2nd time.

Every day is still a blessing!

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  • tibet
    tibet Member Posts: 545
    edited January 2009

    If it is DCIS, you do not need chemo because Chemo don't kill those non-invasive cells.

    Was your first time back in 2004 also DCIS or IDC?

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  • Betht
    Betht Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2009

    IDC. There apparently is a big conflict as to whether chemo is effect in a non-invasive cancer like mine. The second time in 4 1/2 years, while quick to me, apparently isn't fast for TN. If they were sure that it was a new TN and not a recurrence, they would probably not do chemo. They just aren't sure it's not part of the 1st cancer.

    Thanks for your response.

    ---Beth

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  • janinvan
    janinvan Member Posts: 83
    edited January 2009

    Betht...Good luck with your treatment!!  You'll be fine!

              Who is your Dr. at MGH? ....I finished treatmewnt for recurrence after 11 1/2 years on my masectomy site (near pectoral muscle and collar bone)

             Was Elizabeth Edwards triple neg.?   Thanks, Janice

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  • chumfry
    chumfry Member Posts: 642
    edited January 2009

    I had a second primary in other breast just 18 months after completing chemo in 2005. My 2005 tumor (medullary) was 4.5 cm and was growing fast. I had mast and dose-dense AC/Taxol. My 2007 tumor (IDC) was only 1.2 cm. Had another mastectomy and then onc put me on 12 weekly treatments of Taxol/Carboplatin. But both of my tumors were invasive.

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  • Betht
    Betht Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2009

    Hi Janice,

    My surgeon is Dr. Barbara Smith, who is incredible. I don't think it's ever been disclosed what type of BC Ms. Edwards originally had, at least I don't know. I was listening to her book, while training for one of my Avon Walks (I'm still hoping to do my 5th this May), and was shoked to hear her talk about Dr. Smith. Pretty cool. Anyway, best of luck on a healthy and happy 2009!

    ---Beth

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  • Betht
    Betht Member Posts: 7
    edited January 2009

    Hi Chumfry,

    Thanks for responding. I'm so sorry to hear about your ordeal. The timing (4 1/2 years apart) and sizes of my tumors (both around 1.2 cm) have confused my doctors about what way to treat this this time. Good luck with your recovery. Keep up the fight!

    ---Beth 

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