Stage IV Triple Negative

Since this new information came out about the 6 subtypes of TNBC I've been really paying attention to people who have had a similar response to treatments. I know it's going to be quite a while before there is any new treamtent implications from this research but just knowing that they are getting closer to finding out why some drugs work for some but not others is encouraging. And I figure if people have had similar responses to me to certain drugs then it might help to guide me for future treatment options. I thought it would be nice to have somewhere where people who are TN and stage 4 could share all their information. I would love to hear what treatments you have done since your diagnosis and what has worked or not worked at all for you.

Here is mine:

Age 38 no family history of breast or other cancer. 2 year old and 6 year old boys. Teaching grade 7 in Surrey, BC Canada

May 4/2010 - dx Invasive Ductal breast cancer (left breast) - tumor over 5cm (and growing by the day)

end of May - dx TN - started chemo - 4 A/C and 4 taxotere

I could tell the chemo wasn't shrinking tumor but oncol assured me that everything was fine.

Oct/2010 - tumor has more than doubled in size

Nov/2010 - double mastectomy - all lymph nodes removed from left side all positive for cancer

scheduled to start radiation as soon as healed - but never did get started - (see below)

Dec 2010 - paid for a private pet scan - showed mets to bones, liver and soft tissue

switched oncologists (thank god!)

took off to Germany for chemo-sensitivity testing and a 2nd opinion - dr there says get on a parp trial

Dec 24/2010 - stared Gemcitibine/Cisplatin/Avastin

Feb 2011- pet shows NED! 3rd happiest day of my life (after the births of my boys)

continued with Avastin and Capecitibine (Xeloda)

April - weird skin rash under left arm - seems to be getting worse by the week and spreading

June - skin biopsy shows it skin mets and TN

PET scan shows mets to bones, liver soft tisue - much more extensive than back in Dec

June 2011 - start Special Access Gem/Carbo/Iniparib

Aug 2011 - waiting for a pet scan - skin mets have cleared up quite a bit but not completely - this chemo is obviously doing something - but enough? not sure...