Second Primary Breast Cancer?

I had BC 5 years ago, with chemo & radiation, lumpectomy. I have a recurrence now, and am waiting for tests to check my liver, brain and heart. My surgeon said the oncologist will decide if I will have chemo this time or not. I am having a mastectomy this time. I am also triple negative, and wish I had a mastectomy instead of the lumpectomy. It is hard to face all of this. Hope you get good news. I'll be thinking about you and hoping all is well.

Hi, sounds like we're in the same boat. I had my initial BC in Dec 2000 (left side). Had taken AC the first time and everything seemed to be fine for the next 8 years. After a routine mammo discovered new BC in right side. Triple negative on both diagnoses. Took Carboplatin and Taxotere second time around. Now 8 months later am dealing with a mammary lymph node BC behind third rib under the right sternom. Have had 6 rounds of Carboplatin and Gemzar. Waiting now for bone scan and further tests before starting Radiation. Tumor is not going away so hopefully radiation will help. Some "suspicious" activity on spine but they don't know what it is excactly. Very frustrating to go through all this and still not know you'll be healthy.

I had a second bc. First in 2004 - IDC, TN - on the right side.  Three and half years after finishing tx - in Jan. 2009, had a new primary on the left side ... ILC, ES+/PR+

Hi to All! Here is my story, in a nutshell. Had ILC 2005, left mastectomy, chemo (adramycin, cytoxin and taxotere-all together-6 rounds every 2 wks. Doing great up until July of this year, and an mri, and a 5mm highlighted area showed  up. My surgeon was sure it was nothing, but WRONG, after biopsy. Just had biopsy two weeks ago. Scheduled for a mastectomy on the right this Friday. I AM PRAYING TO G-D, it did not go to the nodes. The feel is it not a reaccurence. How do they kow that? What should I be thinking???? Any advice?  Would love to hear from you. You can email me at Shariwest@aol.com

I'm right there with you. I had idc, 10mm in june of 2006, radiation, no chemo. Just found 8 mm in opposite breast. Waiting to find out more info b4 making a decision of what to do. I thought the tamoxifen was supposed to prevent this. I guess I should have done chemo. I hate living in the gray area, I like everything black and white.

hey ladies, I had my 1st cancer in 2001 on right side - lumpectomy and rads, er+/pr+, H3r2-.  In 2009 mammo found new cancer in same breast. This time it was er-/pr-, her2+.  Opted for bilateral mas and immedicate recomstruction at the breast center in New orleans.  Just had stage 2 of reconstruction on 11/5. Been a long journey, but think things are settling down.  I just did not want to take a chance on getting it a third time. so hence the bilat. 

Hi!  I actually had DIEP reconstruction in New Orleans, but I have seen Dr Medling on a consult and on a follow up for the NOLA docs.  And Dr. Akins did my biopsies here.....You in the Boro?

ok, please feel free to pm me if I can help or answer any questions.  Us TN gals need to stick together! :-)

Hey Gin52. sorry it's taken so long to post. Dbl. MX went okay. Had 300ml put in my tissue expanders during surgery. Had to reopen me the next day bc they thought I had a hemotoba, but I didn't. Had horrible neck and shoulder blade pain. Later found out it was the saline in the TE pressing on a nerve. Had to have 2 pints of blood.

So far, I've had one round of chemo and go for the second one this Thursday. S/E were nauseau, tired, and awful diahhrea. Got dehydrated and had to have IV fluids with more amend the week after chemo, then I felt like a new person. My hair is just starting to fall out, can't make up my mind when or if to shave it.

I hope you are doing well.

I read this article in reader digest a long time ago about a woman who fought cancer thrice !

I must say you all are very very strong !

dillymonster wrote:

I just finished chemo 4wks ago. I had a baseline mammo and an MRI to check for margins before starting radiation. An area on concern was found. An ultrasound and biopsy was ordered. They were not able to see it with U/S. An MRI guided biopsy was ordered. I received the results today, it was DCIS. How can that be?????? I had 6 rounds of TAC. My original lump diagnosed in apr was IDC with 3 positive lymph nodes. I had a lumpectomy (2.5cm) with axillary dissection. I also developed lymphedema 2 months into my chemo treatment. I have been struggling with controlling the lymphedema, and now this. The recommendation from my radiation oncologist for this new finding is a lumpectomy, and after the result of path if invasive mastectomy. She also said to delay mastectomy if it's what I choose till I complete radiation. I have an appt with my onco. Next week to discuss options. I am scared since I had lymph node involvement is there another stray atypical cells that they have not caught???? I don't know what to do. I have a little boy and a husband that are very scared, so is this mommy

Thanks Katey. My lumpectomy is scheduled for 10/18. My onco felt that we wait for the path results before we make more drastic decisions. If all is clear, I will recover for3-4 weeks then start radiation.

Katey it's a nickname for my little boy. I had my lumpectomy and received the results 2 days ago. They found 2 area DCIS ans IDC. I have 2 option MBX or watch it closely with MRI and biopsies if areas of concern are found. He said if I can handle waiting for MRI's and biopsies, then I can opt out of the bi at MBX. I have surgery set up for bi at MBX and reconstruction on 11/22. I will meet with the PS next week and discuss reconstruction. The only reason I am having a hard time with this decision is that I still need to have radiation for 6 wks after the recovery of 6 wks. And then in the spring go back to surgery for nipple placement. Please refer me to any articles that may support that MBX lessens your chance of recurrence. Thanks