Local recurrence x3 in 5 yrs after mastectomy and chemo.

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funthing42
funthing42 Member Posts: 418
edited January 2015 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

Hi,

I just wanted to get a perspective. I'm freaking out and my Doctor seems calm. Smile

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited December 2014

    Hi funthing,

    I just searched your previous posts to find out what's going on with you as you don't give any details here ....

    I see your PET scan was negative. Negative to what? Wouldn't it be positive if you have a local recurrence? So I'm wondering how your most recent diagnosis of local recurrence was made?

    Has it been confirmed or could it be scar tissue or fat necrosis etc?

    I've twice had lumps appear on my mastectomy side this year. First they biopsied and said scar tissue, then latter one they said fatty lumps only, following ultrasound, and didn't biopsy. So I kicked up a stink and had a chest wall MRI, which was apparently normal, so I'm having to believe that I don't have local recurrence after all!

    All that said, if you do have another recurrence going on, I didn't think they they were able to irradiated the same area again??

    All in all, you do have my deepest sympathies for all the anxiety you are going through ...... that we all go through with this stinky disease! I'm told that the anxiety lessens with the passing of time. I can't see myself, for one, ever being unworried about the possibility of recurrence!


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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited December 2014

    Funthing, we want to help....help us out with a little more information as to whats going on

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  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited December 2014

    Well

    Dx by biopsy in Breast surgeons office. I just finished Chemo in July. 3rd breast recurrence in Sept-Oct.

    Pet was taken after biopsy. :)

    Anyways radiation  was recommended. I already had this in 2009.


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  • Meadow
    Meadow Member Posts: 2,007
    edited December 2014

    Funthing, I am sorry about your recurrance, you certainly have ben thru a lot. I know there are other here on BCO who have more info than me on recurrances, and I really hope you have connected with them. Sorry to not be one bit of help to you,and just know I am thinking of you.

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  • SECONDTIMEAROUNDSUCKS
    SECONDTIMEAROUNDSUCKS Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2015


    Good evening ladies...So, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 at 33 years of age.  I had a bilateral mastectomy just 4 years ago.  I also underwent chemo; taxotere and cytoxan.  Well, I had a recurrence in October or so the doctors thought.  Today, after my oncotype testing came in I was told I actually had a new primary.  I am now considered high risk at a rating of 30; prior my oncotype was 14.  Therefore I was told I will be doing Carboplatin and Adriamycin (AC) for 5 months, a month of radiation, lupron and now being switched to an aromatase inhibitor.  I just turned 38.  This really sucks.  I cant believe I am sitting here again.  Well I am looking to see how others handled the AC regimen. I am concerned about the side effects.  I also do not want to lose my hair again!  I have also been looking at alternative treatments, no, I am not going to gamble and not do the chemo; I am not that brave.  However, when this hot mess is over, I am looking to see if I can make any changes to minimize my risk.   

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  • SECONDTIMEAROUNDSUCKS
    SECONDTIMEAROUNDSUCKS Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2015


    Just fyi, I had a bilateral mastectomy and removed my nipples due to the increased risk.  In February 2014, had a MRI done which I was told was "false positive".  A radiologist also said this was the case.  8 months later, the cancer grew, I felt it and called the doctor.  An ultrasound was done and I was told it was scar tissue at first, then lymph tissue. A  biopsy was completed and I was told to not worry as cancer could not grow as I had no tissue left.  Wrong!  I found out later after switching to another breast surgeon the MRI was correct and the cancer in 8 months had actually grown.  Just because you had a bilateral mastectomy does not mean you cannot have a recurrence.  Also, please note this happened to me, when I was on tamoxifen and after doing 4 rounds of chemo.  I have learned now, this cancer can come back at any time....sad but true.  We just have to hope for the best. 

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  • funthing42
    funthing42 Member Posts: 418
    edited January 2015

    Unfortunately it does suck. I found it rather young as well. Since 2009 I have had 2 recurrences. Ca 3x.

    This last time I found it in the skin along and slightly below scar tissue just 8 months after b/l masectomy and 2 months after chemo while on Herceptin.

    They want me to do Rads now. I have Already had rads ugh.



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