Help with choice of horm therapy after diagnosis of recurrence

Options

Hi Ladies - Several more questions.  Mom was just diagnosed with "metatastic cancer concurrent with previous breast cancer" (path report read).  It looks as if we are dealing with a recurrence of previous breast cancer from seven years ago, which was ER/PR +, her 2 -, and extremely early (stage 1, no node involvement in 2005).  Mom is falling into that less than 5% recurrence stat......seems treatment was not extensive enough - only hormone thearpy of Arimidex for 5 years, no chemo or radiation.  So we are now faced to fight this yet again.......her lung scan was clean and her blood work came back normal with liver enzymes within normal range.  She has not had a bone scan yet, but is worried about the possiblity of spreading to bones.  She feels no pain at the current time, only bad night sweats (well...pretty much all day hot flashes - she is 62). 

My questions are (we see the oncologist on Thursday for a PET and consult) -

1) What hormone thearpy have you seen effective on ER/PR+, Her2 - cancer?  She will probably be put back on this on Thursday (different from Arimidex)

2) What treatments are advised for a local recurrence only (looks as if 4 nodes are enlarge from ultrasound)?  Removal of nodes? 

3) How is a PET scan?  Were you given results immediatly following if concerning areas appear?

4) Great questions to ask oncologists to avoid any re-recurrence.

Thanks so much ladies - this is a wonderful site.  Reading about the treatments from all over the US are so very helpful in finding a common ground.  Any advise is appreciated.  Prayers for everyone.

Comments

  • comingtoterms
    comingtoterms Member Posts: 421
    edited July 2012
  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited July 2012

    I'm surprised no one has chimed in here.  By now your mom has probably had her PET scan and you should have more information.  Maybe you could provide some additional details about her diagnosis, which would help others to offer suggestions.  By the way, I am also 62.  My BC is hormone negative, so I can't offer much advice regarding treatment options.  And every situation is different.

    Did they biopsy one of your mom's affected nodes?  If not, they should as hormone status can change.

    I've had 3 PET/CT scans.  I always got the results within a day or two. 

    Hugs to you and your mom!

    Michelle

Categories