Can BC come back after mastectomy?

Options
AMO4
AMO4 Member Posts: 21
edited August 2016 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I found a new lump in the same breast that I had cancer twice in, but had mastectomy and reconstruction 2 years ago. My oncologist sent me to my surgeon who is performing a biopsy on it Tuesday. Could this be cancer again? Has anyone had this happen?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«13

Comments

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited June 2016

    Hi AMQ4 - It can happen. I'm sorry, I know that would totally suck. It could also be scar tissue or an undissolved stitch from a previous procedure. I'm crossing my fingers that it is just a dumb benign lump. Hang in there. Sorry you are going through this angst again. Keep us posted.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited June 2016

    Yes, BC can come back after mastectomy because mastectomies don't remove every last bit of breast tissue. Furthermore, if breast cancer cells broke off from your original lump, they could be circulating through the lymph system and bloodstream, and they could land anywhere. Farmerlucy is right, though. There are a number of other things your new lump could be. Sorry that you have to go through this again. Hoping that what you have is B9.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2016

    AMO4, welcome to Breastcancer.org -- we're really glad you found us, though we hate why you are here.

    The members above are correct; unfortunately, mastectomy does not remove every single breast cell, and so there is always a risk of recurrence.

    Please keep us posted on what you find out, and we'll all be thinking of you and sending positive thoughts!

    --The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2016

    I did have if recur after a mastectomy. Hoping yours is a benign lump. Keep us posted

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AMO4
    AMO4 Member Posts: 21
    edited June 2016

    Just had a biopsy on the lump yesterday, will know Tuesday what it is...

    AMO4

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AMO4
    AMO4 Member Posts: 21
    edited June 2016

    I just found out its a recurrence... I will see my doctor Tuesday about what is next for me. What did they do for treatment for you all?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited June 2016

    I was given radiation this time and put on Arimidex. Thankfully, I'd not had either therapy the first time and got 7 years out of surgery only. If I'd taken Tamoxin at first diagnosis I'd have to go on an IV chemo. Do you know the hormone receptors yet?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AMO4
    AMO4 Member Posts: 21
    edited June 2016

    I dont know yet. I just got the call from the nurse today but she didnt have all the info for me yet. She said the dr. will fill me in on Tuesday at my appt.

    I have had radiation and bilateral mastectomy, been on tamoxifen and now femara. Just wondering what they will do now?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited June 2016

    oh no! That is terrible news. I'm so sorry.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited June 2016
    AMO4 - So very sorry to learn of your recurrence. I hope you know that all of us will be pulling for you.

    Depending on the receptors, I wonder if Faslodex and Ibrance may be an option for you? (Just a guess...). I know it must be hard to wait until next week to get details. Hang in there.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited June 2016

    Ibrance and Letrozole seem to be a magic bullet!! I would like to go on it, but I have to use "up" Arimidex first before he'll try something else. He hopes I get a year out of Arimidex.

    You are not alone, sweetie. We are here.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2016

    So sorry to hear that. Treatment will be based on receptor status. They may do acre-excision to assure clear margins and also take some nodes. A different AI and/or chemo may follow depending on pathology and such. You will likely have s PET scan as well; praying that will be clear. Thinking of you. Sorry you have to deal with this crap again.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Subtletystrong
    Subtletystrong Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2016

    Hi. I have a similar question to the one AMO4 posted. At 29 years old, I was diagnosed with IDC in my right breast (Stage 1A, Grade 2, ER+ 99%, PR+ 98%, HER2-, with 1 positive sentinel node). Three days after my 30th birthday, I underwent a BM with reconstruction (TEs and then silicone implants). Once things calmed down after my BM, my oncologist put me on Tamoxifen. No chemo or radiation as my Onco score was 15 and I have no family history of breast cancer. However, now I am concerned breast cancer has returned. I know logically it doesn't make any sense; however, I cannot shake this awful feeling.

    All of my doctors have explained, as many you mentioned, that even with a BM some breast tissue may remain; however, based on various factors with my specific tumor I should not be too concerned though I should continue self-breast exams. This month, I noticed a dimple and a hard lump. The problem is this lump is located in my left breast not my right. Is it possible to get breast cancer in the opposite breast even after a BM? Could it be something wrong with my implant? It feels, from what I can remember, just like the lump I found on my right breast; however, this new one feels much smaller – about the size of a small frozen pea; whereas, my first lump felt like the size of a marble. Has anyone experienced a lump in the opposite breast after a BM?

    I have an appointment scheduled with my oncologist in mid-July; however, any support or additional insights I can gain from this forum would be much appreciated.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AMO4
    AMO4 Member Posts: 21
    edited June 2016

    Hi Subtletystrong, I would try to get in sooner to check out the lump as it could be something.

    I also want to let everyone know that I found out it is a triple negative cancer andthe margins were not clear. I go Thursday to breast clinic at the cancer center to talk to drs about what else they found and what they think is next. My surgeon did say I will have to have my implant removed and as much of the skin and tissue as possible with skin grafting as there are more lumps that could be cancerous. He also wants a PET scan done. I was in such shock that I didn't think of the other questions to ask, like what grade or stage this is, but I am hoping to get those answers tomorrow.

    I appreciate any advice for me and for Subtletystrong too.


    Thank you everyone

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited June 2016

    Lumps should be checked as soon as possible. I argued from October to December last Fall before I was finally taken seriously and mine was a recurrence.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited June 2016

    AMO4,

    Well, that sucks. Sorry to hear that your implant will have to be removed, too. Triple negative....sounds like chemo could be in your future because other treatments (like hormonal therapy) don't apply. Oh well; maybe you'll get lucky and have only mild side effects. I didn't find chemo to be that bad.

    Subtleystrong,

    Yes, you can get contralateral breast cancer after a BMX. I would go in to have the lump checked out -- could be nothing, could be something.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited June 2016

    AMO4, I am very sorry about your new diagnosis. I will be in your pocket on Tuesday. Subtleystrong, it is unusual to have contralateral BC. If you do have a BC in the other breast then please insist on genetic testing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2016

    Subtleystrong, It is possible to have it in the contralateral breast, so do get tested. Even if the risk is 1%, someone is that 1% and we're hoping it is not you. Please keep us posted and do NOT let them blow it off and say it is low risk. If your gut tells you something is not right, follow it!


    AM04, I also am so sorry to hear what you're dealing with. Keep us posted how the PET scan goes. We'll sure be thinking of you! I also tolerated chemo very well, both times (and I even did a half marathon during AC-T). If chemo is prescribed, assume you will do well until proven otherwise.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AMO4
    AMO4 Member Posts: 21
    edited June 2016

    You are not going to believe this, I can hardly believe it myself! A specialist retested and it came back negative for cancer twice! I don't know how the first guy got it wrong but my drs are pretty sure its not cancer after all. They are still sending it in to Mayo to make sure but they feel confident I do NOT have cancer! I'm so beside myself with joy! I can't stop balling every time I talk about it. I don't know how they got it wrong the first time!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Angtee15
    Angtee15 Member Posts: 209
    edited June 2016

    AM04 I don't know you but that has made my day!!! So happy for you!!!! Love seeing amazing news on this board.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Angtee15
    Angtee15 Member Posts: 209
    edited June 2016

    Definitely come back and let us know what it turned out to be. What an incredible turn of events!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited June 2016

    What great news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnimalCrackers
    AnimalCrackers Member Posts: 701
    edited June 2016

    AMO4 - You just gave me chills! So happy to hear this. Please let us know what Mayo has to say and if you get some explanation as to how the misdiagnosis happened. What a horrific roller coaster ride!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited June 2016

    Wow! So very happy for you!

    My story was the opposite. They told me my biopsy was benign so I had the lump taken out with just local freezing. That came back cancer and they retested the biopsy and said "oops". My surgeon was furious! He thought he might have to go back in and take more as they were tight margins but radiation dealt with that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Unbreakable01
    Unbreakable01 Member Posts: 153
    edited July 2016

    AMO4 out of curiosity, did they do an ultrasound or go straight to biopsy? I have another lump in my reconstructed breast. They did a mammo and nothing showed up, but on the ultrasound it has the same characteristics as my previous tumor. It reads almost the same as my previous ultrasound when I had cancer. I'm going in for a biopsy on Friday, so will have answers in a week.

    Thanks!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AMO4
    AMO4 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2016

    Unbreakable01, they did do an ultrasound and mammo, they claimed that the mammo and ultrasound did not show anything, but then when my surgeon read the report he said it looked suspicious so he decided to do the biopsy. The first tox report showed a triple neg cancer which is completely different from what I had before. Then another toxicologist specialist I guess, did the test again and again with different stains and said it was negative. Now they are sending it to May for their opinion, I should know in the next day or two.

    I hope yours is benign, please let me know what you find out.

    Prayers and hugs!

    AMO4

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Unbreakable01
    Unbreakable01 Member Posts: 153
    edited July 2016

    AMO 4

    I just had the biopsy yesterday, I should find out next Thursday when I see my breast surgeon.  I asked the radiologist if he thought it could be fat necrosis or scar tissue, and he doubts it.  This lump has blood flow, but it also has some benign characteristics in terms of shape and size.  He said we won't know until pathology comes back. 

    I asked the ultrasound tech if it was in the muscle or skin, she said muscle and had that look of I'm sorry, that stinks.  Some people are quite expressive with their body language.  :)

    Did you get the results yet?


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited July 2016

    hate that you both have to wait so long. Hoping for benign for both of you. Keep us posted

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AMO4
    AMO4 Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2016

    I finally heard back that Mayo finished their tests and say the cell are "atypical" . Not sure I fully understand this, but it was explained t o me that it is not cancer but could become cancer. I have other lumps near by that have not been removed. They have told me from ultrasound it is just calcification, however my first cancer was "just calcification" until they biopsied. So now I see my surgeon on Friday and wondering if I should get these other lumps removed or not. I have silicone implants and I know my plastic surgeon would not want any one messing with his work. I almost to the point of having implants removed because what if it comes back on my chest wall and I don't know it. On the other hand, I will feel self conscious and un-female if I have it done. I don' want to be too dramatic but this has been very traumatizing for me and I don't know what to do. I am only 44 and have already been diagnosed twice. Any advice or suggestions are very welcome.

    Thanks! Good to know you are all here!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited July 2016

    I guess I'm lucky that I stayed flat right from the beginning. I still feel very much like a woman and the feel of cloth on my bare chest is actually quite sexy. I love not wearing a bra and everyone thinks I've lost weight. You can do this....

    I recurred in the chest wall.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories