2nd Cancer??

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in Second or Third Breast Cancer

A little less than a year ago, I was diagnosed with stage 1, grade 2 breast cancer in the left breast. I had a lumpectomy and radiation treatment: no chemo. Last week I went for my annual mammogram. While the left side looks postoperatively "normal", they found an abnormality in the right breast.

Of course I am worried, but trying to be realistic and hopeful at the same time. So my question is this, what are the odds that this could be benign? Realistically, I think the odds are small. But I can't find an actual statistic on the web. Anyone know the answer?

Also, I understand that a recurrence is worse than a "new" cancer. If it's in the opposite breast, is it possible to be a recurrence? How would a doctor know?

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  • lemon68
    lemon68 Member Posts: 684
    edited April 2013

    Sorry you are going though this. My understanding is if its in the healthy breast (the non C side) it would be a new cancer not a recurrence. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.

    Did you have ILC or IDC? I am asking because my MO told me ILC is bi lateral and so its more common to have in both. Of course it could be nothing at all, be grateful they are watching you closely and not taking chances.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2013

    ILC. Thanks for the add'l info. It helps.

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  • TrishaHarris
    TrishaHarris Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2013

    Four years ago I had IDC in right breast.  Had lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation.  I just have been diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast.  Am anxious to find out what treatments my oncologist recommends.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2013

    Trisha - the waiting is always the hardest part. When do you see your oncologist?

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited April 2013

    Steph01: My name is Stephanie! Anyways, I had a 1cm, grade 1, stage 1 IDC in 2011 and two years to the day, got a 7mm IDC in the opposite breast, grade 2. If there is any differences, it is always a new primary; the problem is if it is identical then it could be a metastatic cancer, but not likely. I have a stage 4 friend who has cancer in different places EXCEPT her second breast, so it isn't a common place for a recurrence. In short, they almost always consider the contralateral breast cancer as a new primary. ILC has a tendency towards showing up like this than IDC, but not by much. I am hoping you have B9 results as I know the second journey sucks as much as the first.

    Trisha: DCIS is non-invasive so you may do with a lumpectomy + radiation again depending how extensive the DCIS is. If it is hormone +, you will be best to take a anti-hormonal afterwards. 

    (((HUGS))))

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  • netty46
    netty46 Member Posts: 296
    edited April 2013

    At times I wonder if in fact a new cancer is good. My doc said "who cares"  when I asked her .  Can you believe that?  I think a new cancer is just  another 2nd cancer to worry about. Some people say its great but I ask myself how can 2 different cancers be good? Its confusing.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2013

    I think the reason we would rather a "new" cancer than a recurrence is the strength of the cancer. You know how everyone says we overtreat with anti-biotics, and bacteria are becoming resistant? It's the same idea (sort of: we don't over treat cancer!). When you've had cancer, and the same one comes back, it will be more resistant to treatment because what's there has already survived a round of treatment.

    Of course, I could be wrong, but that's what I was led to believe.

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  • katiekabooom
    katiekabooom Member Posts: 48
    edited April 2013

    i don't know what the odds are but have you had a biopsy on the abnormality?  because you've had bc before, they should rush your results thru.  i had my biopsy friday and got the call today (wed).  hopefully you'll know for sure what your dealing with asap.

    hoping the best for you

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2013

    My biopsy is scheduled for next week, "May Day". hmmm... Think I'm calling for help on this one!?

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited April 2013

    There's a lot of info on contralateral breast cancer, especially early ones (under five years) are NOT that good for overall survival, but then there are others that say it doesn't matter, especially if you are postmenopausal. Everyone that has had breast cancer is at greater risk of getting it in the secon one. Let's just hope the second one is smaller and less aggressive and caught....THAT is what makes the difference.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2013

    Now I have another reason to wish I was post-menopause. Smile

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2013

    Thanks to all of you, especially bluepearl/Stephanie. I had my biopsy on Wednesday (May 1) and pestered the doctor on Friday... (I called in the morning to let them know I would call in the afternoon to see if they had anything, then called in the afternoon.) Anyway, I received a call from my doc on Friday just before 5. The tumor IS malignant. They are calling it Invasive Ductal this time. (ILC last year). She (my doc) didn't have any details yet, in fact whe wasn't even in the office. But she called me to let me know that it IS cancer... again. She knew that I was very anxious to know, and the details aren't that important right now. What's important is that I can get my DH to stay home an extra day so that I can keep my appointment with the surgeon on Monday, and have him with me. (My DH was supposed to be leaving town on Monday, is now leaving on Tuesday/I had made the appointment with the surgeon, hoping that we could get the results quickly and IF it was malignant, I would have my DH here.)

    Anyway, obviously I want the details - and of course they are important - but I am ready to move to the next step.

    As for getting my results so fast (even if incomplete) - I encourage everyone to develop a really good relationship with your Primary Care physician!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2013

    My surgeon is recommending a bilateral masectomy. I feel sick to my stomach.

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited May 2013

    I had a new cancer in the other breast 28 years after the first one. The onc told me that cancer doesn't spread to the other breast, so it was considered a new primary. Best of luck on your mastectomy! My friend had a double mastectomy a year ago and is doing just fine. And she had multiple cancers in both breasts!

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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited May 2013

    Steph01 I am sorry you are facing a decision such as this. I can only speak for myself but having to undergo BMX wasn't the worse thing for me.  Finding out my bc was metastatic to multiple bones was much worse but I have adjusted to my "new normal" and am coping with chemo, tissue expanders, hormone blockers and possibly rads. Everyone is different and hopefully you can find a support network and great team of medical providers to get you through this.  Prayers to you for guidance and a speedy recovery.

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited May 2013

    Steh01: Looks like you have a very small second tumor too. My second one was 7mm, grade 2 and wanted this breast taken off as the other one was gone already. I just had the sentinel node removed (3) and negative. You could go for a lumpectomy, it is so small (and depending on other factors) as my doctor said I could do that...but I figured nope. My oncologist wasn't too concerned about the second cancer arriving at two years...he said, once you've had BC you are always at higher risk of a second one in the other breast; what matters is what mattered with the first one. It's also not as concerning as a recurrence. Yours is a second PRIMARY and your prognosis will be according to the worst of your primaries...which, looks to be rather good from what I see. Good luck ahead of you.....take care.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2013

    My surgeon seemed to think that I was not a candidate for any additional radiation. We have since spoken to the radiation oncologist and found that I am, so lumpectomy is an option. My surgeon's other concern is timing: it has been less than a year since my first tumor was found. Given that I've been undergoing treatment, this means that either the second cancer grew fairly fast, or that it's not being affected by the Tamoxofin. I am slowly coming to the conclusion that I can find a way to be ok with a masectomy. I'm getting a second opinion before I make a decision.

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited May 2013

    That second tumor may have been there all along but was not picked up. That happens. So it could have still been slowed down by tamoxifen, keeping it small. Mammograms can miss small tumors like this and it is generally accepted that breast cancers are there a few years BEFORE they are picked up, so don't assume just yet that it's aggressive and not responding to tamoxifen!!!!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2013

    Thanks. My mind keeps going to worst-case scenario, I guess. My "tumor conference" is next week. I will know more after that.

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