Help-second primary in "good" breast vs. mets?

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lorieg
lorieg Member Posts: 802
edited June 2014 in Second or Third Breast Cancer

I am not sure where to post this question!

I was diagnosed with IBC of the right breast in August of this year.  At diagnosis (and before treatment) I had a malignant lymph node in the axilla of my good breast.  The hormone status of that lymph node is ER- while the hormone status of my known breast cancer side is ER+.  My local onc believe this most likely represents a second primary breast cancer in the good breast (that is not showing up on scans) vs. mets.  My onc at MDA says we assume mets and treat as such although there is a *possibility* of bilateral breast cancer.  

Anyone have experince or thoughts on this?  I know cancer can change hormone status, etc with treatment but I had not had any chemo or treatment at the time of pathology.  I am still holding out hope that I have two breast cancers.  

Thanks!

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  • 2z54
    2z54 Member Posts: 261
    edited December 2009

    Hi Lorieg,

    I don't know if this is much help, but I was diagnosed with two separate breast cancers at the same time.  I always concern myself more with the more agressive one, which is the one that felt suspicious and got me to the doctor. It is on the left and triple negative.  While doing all the mammo's etc., the doctor found a very small, <1cm bc on the right, which is er+.  So, yes you can have two very different breast cancers at the same time.

    Hope that helps!  Best of luck to you, and health and happiness in the New Year! 

    Sue

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  • lorieg
    lorieg Member Posts: 802
    edited January 2010

    Thanks Sue!  I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year!

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited January 2010

    I had 2 different primaries but diagnosed 3 1/2 years apart. First on right was TN and second one showed up 3 1/2 years later as enlarged lymph node on my right ... that turned out to be ILC and ES+/PR+ ..... and the ILC did not show up on u/s or mammo ....

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