A question about inter mammory nodes (middle chest)

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jinnypel
jinnypel Member Posts: 73
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hello, I'm new to the site, so I'm sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place.  I've had stage 3 breast cancer in 2006 and I've been fine ever since (although I suffer with making a mountain out of a mole hill).  BRCA1 Gene related.

My question is about the inter mammory nodes in the middle of your chest (sorry I don't know any medical terms, I'm always just too happy to run to the nearest exit when they say I'm okay).

 I've had chest pains for a while now, I think it stretches to about 6mnths.  I've had an ECG and Xray, the ECG is abnormal because of a thyriod defect and the Xray was clear, however after comparing notes with my cousin (same gene defect) I have found that she has had this very same chest problems and only after insisting on a PET scan did her onco. find the problem.

 I've had a chat to my breast doc, he says only 2% of ppl get this problem (hey somebody's got to be that 2%, but he didn't seem to worried).  (Going by his word I may have to be worried seeing that he said I didn't have breast cancer until he did some tests and an hour later he had changed his mind 100%)

 I've not seen my onco. since about my 4th chemo more than 3 years ago and have had no PET or CT scan since.  Is it normal to not a have a follow up PET or CT scan and if so how often?

 Do you think I'm making to much out of this or have you gone through this, I need some advise before I go crazy over here.

Thank you in advance for reading this and even more so if you can help me out.

Thanks

Janine

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited December 2009
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  • Pat634
    Pat634 Member Posts: 271
    edited October 2010

    I know that the chemo drug they call the "red devil" can cause heart problems (though I dont know for how long after the last treatment).  As to your other question,  I get checked by my oncologist every 12 weeks!

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  • jinnypel
    jinnypel Member Posts: 73
    edited December 2009
    Thanks Pat for your reply.  My husband had a word with the oncologist (saw him yesterday).  I've got an ECG and a CT scan tomorrow booked in so I'm hoping that all will go well. 
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  • Brenda_R
    Brenda_R Member Posts: 509
    edited December 2009

    I'm not quite sure what your question is, but I had a positive IM node under my breastbone. It couldn't be removed so I did chemo, and rads targeted to that area.

    If you're asking about the chest pain being related, I'm not sure. I have had problems with chest pain (not heart related) for some years now. I've had lots of tests and they can't find anything, so I'm thinking it could be costcochrondritis?  I also have rib pain, but pet scan doesn't show anything there either. 

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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited December 2009

    Andriamycin aka Red Devil, causes permanent changes in the heart.  Each person has a lifetime amount they can have of the drug.  In kids that were treated with A they found heart complications were very common later in life.  My understanding is for BC women it can come on years after the treatment.

    regards,

    flash

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  • jinnypel
    jinnypel Member Posts: 73
    edited January 2010

    Just to follow up.  The CT scan showed that I had a tumor on my spine and I am currently awaiting MRI scan to confirm tumor.

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  • jinnypel
    jinnypel Member Posts: 73
    edited January 2010

    The tumor is in the thoraric area of the spine.  T4-6 most probable outcome to this will be that its mets.

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  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 362
    edited January 2010

    Hi Janine, I'm really sorry this showed on the ct but it may well be something other than mets on the mri.

    I had a suspicious spot show on a bone scan but mri was inconclusive and pet/ct negative.  I still get back ache but as this spot is too small to biopsy I have to wait another month for a follow up mri.

    I'll be thinking of you and hoping for good results as you join the waiting room!

    Tricia x

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  • jinnypel
    jinnypel Member Posts: 73
    edited January 2010

    Thanks Tricia

     I'm soooo nervous ... I had two hours sleep last night and don't know if I'll get much more tonight, but the end is in sight results on the 13th so only another week.  The waiting game is by far the worse as my mind plays havoc with me.

    Jin xxx

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  • iharris
    iharris Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2010

    don't think of the worst.  It could be totally unrelated just like mine was.  I had a spinal tumor twice that was begnin, before  I was diagnosed with bc.  The docs said they were totally unrelated. 

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  • LittleFlower
    LittleFlower Member Posts: 405
    edited January 2010

    (((Janine)))

     Praying that this next week isn't too crazy for you as you await results, and then that good results follow... meaning NO MORE CANCER!  Your story touches me, I'm sorry you're going through this right now.  I think that iharris' post above is very encouraging.  THere are so many benign things in our bodies we wouldn't know about if we didn't have cancer.  All these tests sometimes cause more anxiety...  Big hugs to you and prayers for a clean bill of health.

    LittleFLower

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