Local Recurance near mastectomy scar after 5 years

I am so sorry this has happened to you. I have read that a fair amount of recurrences are at the edges of the mastectomy site.



I am triple negative and the recurrence rates during the first three years are much higher than for other types of BC. I am in the middle of chemo to be followed by. A bilateral mastectomy. Don't know yet about rads.



There isn't a day that goes by since my diagnosis in October that I don't think about recurrences as a real possibility.



I would/will be devastated at the news as I was at first diagnosis. But, I rallied and would/will rally again if I join you.



I will be keeping you in my thoughts. Trust your intuition about what you want to do with regard to treatment.



Peggy

CTLmom- I also had a recurrence near my lumpectomy site. Original diagnosis was Jan 2004. 3 cm triple negative. Had lumpectomy, AC/taxol and radiation. Now nine years later almost to the day, they found 1.8cm area of calcifications ( no lump) near scar. Again triple neg. No way to tell if its recurrence or new cancer. Just had unilateral mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction. Will start chemo in a week. I agree it is VERY shocking. I really thought I was home free since I was triple neg after nine years. I had my day or two of crying but now have my game face on and am ready for battle.

CTL Mom,

Just going in for STAT testing for a lump located near incision site for L partial MX (2008) -- u/s and mammo tomorrow or Friday; MRI to follow.  Biopsy likely.  Trying to be cool.  But my PCP didn't look too cool after palpating.

I'm a little scared and don't want to start the downhill slide to a million biopsies.  Either way I think they'll have it out -- it's doubled in size -- and that will mean a full MX.

Thinking of you and sending hugs {{{{}}}}

I had local recurance near lumpectomu scar on left side . They will not do radiation again so I have opted for bilaterl masectomy as I don't want it to move to other side. Although no guarantees I am going for more symetry and a tummy tuck. Might as while have some positives out this!!! 

Hi CTLMom - I'm going through a similar scenario right now and I feel your pain.  4 1/2 years post dmx my local gyn found a lump which biopsy showed as the same type of cancer I had before (papillary carcinoma - a comparatively unagressive strain that decided in this case that it wanted to be uncharacteristically aggressive!)  Lumpectomy this coming  wednesday and then most probably rads and another go at tamoxifen. There is a new study that supports use of chemo after local recurrence with survival rates of 94% 5 years out. You should ask your onc about it.  The thought of chemo scares me a lot, but I think I won't escape it this time.  

Bobogirl, I had a N.A.P. blanket from Brookstone that I took with me to every chemo.  I was like a baby with a blankey.  Mine is a throw-type size, but I know they make them in standard bed sizes too.  They're VERY soft.

Thank you sbelizabeth and J9W!  I am on it.

J9W, you are in Tallahassee?  I am in Gainesville.  I went to FSU as an undergraduateQ

Sorry to hear you are going through this. On Monday I found out I have a recurrence. I am 2 1/2 years out from bilateral mastectomy with implant reconstruction. Invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 1, multicentric 2 tumors, with lobular carcinoma in situ as well. No lymph node involvement, no chemo or radiation. I've been on tamoxifen, recently changed to Femara. Tomorrow I have ct scan, bone scan and blood work. I too am scared. I am 53 and was told that my cancer rarely comes back this quickly. I have no idea what is in store other than the surgery but I find myself hoping they will be more aggressive this time.

Hey guys:

I'm scared.  MRI on Friday.  I just don't have a good feeling about this lump, which has doubled in size.  I'm scared, ironically, that they'll fight me on doing a biopsy.  None of us loves a biopsy.  But with my first dx it was such a mess -- I was misdiagnosed twice, my tumor was studied at several panels -- that I fear that same sort of thing.

Not sleeping.  Appointment with BS set up already for Wednesday.  

Good advice Barbe!  And thanks so much for your kind words.

Bobogirl, 

I have been off these boards for a long time, 27 months past diagnosis of 2.9cm TN BC in left breast. Had lumpectomy followed by chemo and 33rads. Have been focused on getting to 3 years and possibly breathing easier. Not so. A few weeks ago noticed pain from my lumpectomy site, which moved across my shoulder and down left arm. Saw my fam. dr, who sent me for a mammo. They didn't see anything abnormal, but thank goodness my dr also ordered an ultrasound. there is definitely a mass there at the lumpectomy site, but they can't determine if it is scar tissue or a recurrence (there was slight blood flow to the mass, which is worrisome). I have a biopsy scheduled for 3:30 this afternoon, and am hoping for good results by Friday.

Aimee, any word yet? We're all holding our breaths for you!

Aimee!

Sending you hugs and kisses

XXXXXX {{{{{{{Aimee}}}}}}}}

bobogirl, we'll be with you in spirit on Wednesday! Better to get the info from a doctor so you don't mis-read it. I found out my bone-scan had uptake while I was with the doc. I would have had a heart-attack if I was on my own! My arthritis lit up the scan pretty bad. Of course you're a shaky mess; WE understand that. Your family is probably saying everything will be alright....