Second primary 7 months after chemo?

Littletower: I just had my first follow up mammogram this week, after finishing chemo in March this year - yes 7 months same as you. They've found something in the other breast. I don't have the final report from the radiographer yet but looks like I'll have to have it biopsied. It didn't show up on an ultrasound but they are sure there is a change since my mammo last year. BTW I'm still on herceptin - 3 to go. Of course I'm worried, but have to think how lucky whatever it is was visible. I was lucky last year when my PILC showed up at such a small size as ILC is very sneaky. This new thing is much smaller from what I could see.

Like you, I wonder if the chemo I endured had any effect at all or maybe this new thing is a different type or even benign. I hope you reply to this and let us know what yours turned out to be.

Sue

Littletower: Thanks for replying, I was hoping you would see the post. I don't have a biopsy scheduled yet as I'm still waiting for the final results. I called the surgeon's office and they said they could squeeze me in to see her depending on the radiology report. I don't really want a biopsy, I just want it cut out, which is why I want to consult with the surgeon first and see if she would agree to doing that. I will see my onc this week when I go for my herceptin treatment and will also see what he has to say. At my last treatment he said if there was anything in the other breast the chemo would have knocked it on the head - I certainly hope so. Meanwhile, I can do nothing but wait and see.

Thanks for the hugs

Sue

Lago: First of all LCIS is not cancer and LCIS does not show up on mammograms. Your LCIS may never have turned into invasive cancer. LCIS can be there for 20 years or more with no cancer ever occurring.

Second, my tumour was removed by surgery a year ago, so there was no tumour to respond to chemo in the first place. Chemo in most of our situations is adjunctive - that means just in case cells have escaped. The aim being to hopefully prevent metastases.

Thirdly - we don't know what this other thing is yet - it may be totally benign or calcification.

"This difference might be why your tumor didn't respond to the treatment" was not a very intelligent comment to make and it upset me. So please try to be more sensitive in your comments.

Sue

I had a second primary in my other breast 3.5 years after having lump/chemo/rads. It was a totally different pathology. It happens. Had to go through surgery, chemo, rads again.

MRI says probably benign - will know more after I see my surgeon tomorrow.

Sorry to say there is no warranty,  it can be Stage II,III or IV and never get a recurrence and a person with Stage I, will get one.

 One can get a recurrence after years of diagnosis.

suepen, So sorry you have a new primary. Thank goodness it's low grade. Do you know when you'll be having surgery? My thoughts are with you.

It is so scary when we hear things like this. You have done every thing right, but yet it still comes back. It makes me so mad. I'll be thinking about you on Thursday. I can understand why you don't want to miss the herceptin tx next week. Do you know if it is HER2+ or not?

suepen: So sorry for your new primary.  Cancer SUX!!  Praying everything turns out good. Hugs coming to  you!