Reoccurrences and treatment?

I think it is possible that she could take some Abraxane (also a taxane like taxol).  Abraxane does not contain the (irritating) preservatives that may cause reactions in heavily pre-treated patients.

Avastin is also a possibility.

It seems to me quite likely that the hospital/cancer treatment's "tumor board" may be consulted in order to come up with a recommendation.

Xeloda or Gemzar are also possibilities.

My best understanding is that doctors are reluctant to radiate the same area twice, but I do know of one lady who has had it.  The areas are more carefully targeted these days and the radiation doctor may be able to control the angles to minimize the possibility of damage.

Did the doctors double check the pathology?  Still triple neg?  (I'm assuming so.)

 I am so sorry to hear about your recurrence...sounds like you're having a tough time.

Please keep us posted.

Tammy Lou

Paul,

I'm sorry it's been such a difficult time for you and Lynne.  Like FlaLady said, we hope that the lung spot is not cancer.  And you are right, the first step is trying to figure out what it is.

As far as surgical removal of the armpit tumor, I don't think it's as dire.   Yes, time is an issue when dealing with mets, but a couple of weeks delay (while you make arrangements to test the lung spot) shouldn't make a huge difference.  I can also understand the doctors hesitant to radiate the area for 2nd time.  There's usually a "lifetime" cap of the amount of radiation each tissue can get.  If you radiate beyond that, you're risking some complications e.g. Lynne can develop lymphedema which is going to drag down QOL for life.

Also sounds like chemo is probably a good bet.  In theory it should take care of the armpit and the lung if it's cancer.  I agree with FlaLady again that you probably should ask for Ixempra+Xeloda combo given Lynne's chemo history.  But again, as TammyLou mentioned, there's plenty of other chemo to try next if for some reason Ixempra or Ixempra+Xeloda don't work out.

Let us know how it goes with the Fontana thoracic surgeon.

FlaLady, I'm so glad Ixempra has been able to knock out the skin mets dead!  Do you think you'll continue on "maintenance" Ixempra+Xeloda after going NED?

FlaLady,

Crossing fingers for best PET result possible.  You deserve a chemo break!  Darn that neuropathy creeping back on you.

I'm still on Doxil+Cytoxan which has been working great for lung mets.  Scan is not due for another 6 weeks.  I hope it works some bit more.

The brain mets were supposedly already taken care of with Stereotactic.  Just waiting for follow up scan in 10 weeks.

So in the meantime we're trying to arrange for a cruise getaway, hoping to forget about cancer business for a week... (by the way, I wish we're in Florida, where there are plenty of choices for cruises - it sucks on the west coast, not much is going on).

FlaLady,

Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) or Gamma Knife or Cyberknife (same type of radiation machine, just different brands), are commonly used tumor (brain tumor, some liver, could be breast too) ablation using radiation.  No knife or scalpel involved.  High-dose radiation is delivered directly into the tumor, with insignificant doses affecting the surrounding tissues.  It was a loooong day, but at least it was just one day.

Hope for your good result next week!

I was given Taxotere as first line of treatment three years ago.. ACT my "T" was Taxotere.  I was told I received this because how aggressive my disease.

Pinehouse,

I've heard of Cyberknife & Gamma knife.  I tried to get either one done at one point.  Insurance would not do it.  Did you have any problems with yours?  I was involved with a large cyberknife clinic on trying to get this over turn with Florida insurance companies.  I did not follow up to see the out come...by than I had skin mets again. I'm so glad it was just one treatment and not whole brain rads.  Does make me wonder if we should be treating other recurrences this way instead of more toxic chemo.  As stage iv we need chemo breaks.  I think we should zap easy to reach areas and save chemo for other mets.

Flalady