Anyone ER-/PR- AND ER+/PR+?

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prayforacure
prayforacure Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in Second or Third Breast Cancer

Hi...I am baffled. My mom was diagnosed with Stage 1, 0/3, IDC with ER-/PR- and HER2+ in Sept of 09. She had a lumpectomy, At the time of surgery they discovered a second tumor that was smaller. Turns out this too was IDC. She had 4 rounds of chemo..Taxotere and Cytoxan along with Herceptin because she is HER2+. After chemo, she had a unilateral mastectomy (3 weeks ago) because the margin from the lumpectomy was not clear enough so she chose to have the breast removed. Path report just came back and it was determined that a separate tumor, less than 1 mm was discovered in a completely different area of the same breast. This is a new diagnosis and not related to the original. Turns out this one is Stage1, 0/1, ILC and ER+/PR+. I am waiting to get confirmation if its HER2+ or -. Treatment plan is to continue Herceptin for the duration (another 9 more months) and begin taking Arimidex for 5 yrs. Has anyone experienced this? Thank you for your help. This website if very informative.

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  • cbm
    cbm Member Posts: 475
    edited February 2010

    Hello, prayforacure.  I did not have this circumstance personally, but my younger sister had endometrial cancer several years ago and had two separate primary tumors, one ER+ and one ER-.

    Both were early stage and treated with surgery and radiation.

    Warmest regards,

    Cathy 

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  • prayforacure
    prayforacure Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2010

    Thanks Cathy...

    I just thought it was very odd that within 4 1/2 months, she has developed 2 different types of BC in the same breast and I just don't know how common this is. I suppose it doesnt matter how common it is, just as long as she can recover.

    Thanks and good luck to you.

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  • 2z54
    2z54 Member Posts: 261
    edited February 2010

    Hi prayforacure,

    I had a 3cm+ er-pr- bc in left breast at the same time that a very vigilant radiologist found an 8mm er+pr+ bc in right breast.  So, unlike your mother I didn't have two cancers in one breast, but I did have two different cancers in both breasts, at same time. 

    Best of luck to your mother on this journey. Sounds like you'll be a great support system for her!

    Sue

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  • prayforacure
    prayforacure Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2010

    Hi Sue,

    Nice name...mine is Sue too.

     Thanks for sharing your information and thank goodness for the radiologist who identified your second tumor! Blessings do happen during this terrible journey we experience. I deeply hope things are going well for you.

     If I may ask, do you know what type of cancer was found in the right breast? My mom has both IDC and ILC in the left.

    I just can't seem to find much info on the net with this scenario.

    Thank you,

    Sue

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  • 2z54
    2z54 Member Posts: 261
    edited March 2010

    Hi Prayforcure,

    Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you. I don't often get back to my old posts, unless they're still listed as an active topic.

    But, you pose a very interesting question; my cancers were both IDC.  I think I've read of only a  few women on these boards who had ILC with IDC.  I seem to remember that ILC is often difficult to diagnose too, and not nearly as common as IDC.  I wish your mother the best!  She's lucky to have a vigilent and loving daughter looking out for her! 

    Take care....

    sue

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  • Lafingmoon
    Lafingmoon Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2010

    Prayforcure

    My first diagnosis was Dec 31, 2009 DCIS, ER+ left breast. My annual mammogram found this tumor. The Breast Surgeon wanted a better look so he sent me to have a Breast MRI done. January 13th diagnosis IDC, ER+, left breast. Two separate cancers same breast. I did have genetic testing done. They found a mutated gene that they have found in other Breast cancer patients but it was not the BRAC1or2. They cannot definately rule out this mutated gene as being related to Breast cancer or not. I have decided to have a mastectomy. I have not had it done yet. They placed me on Tamoxifin now to supress the cancer until I have my surgery. My surgery is scheduled for April 13th. The second Tumor was not seen on the mammogram because I have Fibercystic Disease which makes the breast very dense and sometimes hides the cancer. Thank God for the MRI finding the Invasive Cancer. At the time of the surgery they will also do a Sentinal Biopsy to see if the Cancer has spread to my Lymph Nodes. At the point they will decide what further treatment I will need in the future.

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  • prayforacure
    prayforacure Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2010

    Lafingmoon,

    Thank you for responding....I'm sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis but it sounds like you have a persistent doctor who is crossing all the T's and dotting the I's. I'm glad to hear that your doctor was able to identify the second tumor through the MRI instead of finding out later through another mammogram or ultrasound. I hope you are doing OK and you are tolerating Tamoxifin. From what I gather and speaking with my mom's physicians, having 2 different cancers at the same time is not common but cases do exist. I think it just makes the disease more ugly. I will pray for you that your mastectomy will be a sucess, your heal time will be quick and that the cancer has not spread to your nodes. Stay strong.

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  • Gin52
    Gin52 Member Posts: 377
    edited April 2010

    Hi Prayforacure,

    I had an initial BC dx in 2001 - +/pr+, her2- small tumor in right breast, lumpectomy, rads, and tamoxifen for 5 years.  No chemo due to small size and location of tumor.

    In 2009, I was dx with small tumor in same breast, but it is er-/pr-, her2+ so they say it is a new primary. 

    I know exactly how you and your mom feel.  After 8 years, I was just getting comfortable having mammos again.

    Hang in there.  You can both get thru this!

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