What should we keep an eye out for?

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pp729
pp729 Member Posts: 135
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi ladies, my mom, age 67, was diagnosed with Stage IIIb BC (infiltrating ductal carcinoma with involvement of the dermal lymphatics) in Jan. 2011.  Excisional biopsy in January and Unilateral Mastectomy in April.  Path report showed no cancer in the lymph nodes, no additional cancer in the breast, and no metastasis.  Taking Anastrozole, and was recommended to have chemo then radiation by 4 oncs and her breast surgeon.

Hi Oncotype score of 36 means a 24% chance of recurrence without chemo, and a 6% chance with.  Despite all this, she has some other health issues and has declined chemo and rads - mainly due to fatigue and the fact that she lives alone.  She will be seeing the onc again in 3 months for followup.

I am petrified that the cancer will recur again in the future.  So, what should we be looking for in terms of any symptoms that might develop over time?

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2011

    I can certainly understand you concern about the cancer returning.  Mets present in different ways, and it's often difficult to sort them out from other health issues and side effects from surgery.  Many of us follow the 2 week rule.  If a pain is persistent for 2 weeks, it needs to be checked out. Sometimes in reference to bone mets, it's been suggested that the pain be intense enough wake you up in the middle of the night.

    Some possible signs of liver mets could be twinges on the right side, changes in appetitite and digestion and curiously, pain in the right shoulder or collar bone area.  Coughs that linger or breathlessness on may indicate an x-ray is needed to rule out lung mets.

    Seizures or loss of function in one side of the body should be reported immediately. Almost everyone who has been dxed with cancer has had a scare. You are always welcome to come back to this board if an issue develops.

     Wishing you and your mother the best.

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  • pp729
    pp729 Member Posts: 135
    edited June 2011

    Thanks, I will keep this in mind and will check back in to this board as needed.

    Wishing you the best as well,

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