Reoccurrence after Complete Response to Chemo?

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floratristan
floratristan Member Posts: 2
edited August 2016 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone who has had neoadjuvant chemotherapy has had a reoccurrence after having a pathologic complete response.

I had neoadjuvant chemo for 2b triple negative, and by the time of my mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy in February 2015 there was no sign of cancer left anywhere, but I've had lymph node swelling and pain on the cancer side for 2-3 months now, and its increasing severity has led me to talk to the oncologist, who seems concerned.

I just saw the lymphedema specialist who ruled lymphedema out completely, so tomorrow I go to the breast surgeon & the next day to the medical oncologist to see what happens next. Beyond the pain in my lymph node, armpit and the surrounding area (all a little swollen), I don't have any signs of illness -- not even fatigue -- and my last general blood tests at the family doctor's (about 5 months ago) didn't show any abnormal levels, so I am trying not to be too anxious.

Still, I was wondering if it really is possible that it could come back even after a PCR or if the doctors, who seem concerned, are being diligent just in case.

ft

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited August 2016

    FT, I am one of the unfortunate ones who had PCR - nothing showed in excised tissue and I had very good margins with LX then went through very aggressive radiation but had a local recurrence 17 months later. At time of MX the pathology revealed metaplastic TN and I went through chemo again but I couldn't do rads again because of timing. I'm hopeful that they got everything with mx. I think you are very wise to push for further investigating so you can rule out anything to worry about. Please let us know how your doing- sending positive thoughts

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited August 2016

    Keep us posted. It is possible to have a recurrence after PCR, but if it occurs, the goal is to catch it while it's still local. Hoping yours is neither...hoping it is benign! Keep us posted.

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  • floratristan
    floratristan Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2016

    Not all the tests are back, but it looks like the problem is a seroma (a year and a half after surgery!) that is pressing on a nerve. Am very grateful I had it looked at, though, and now have a solution.


    thanks everyone <3

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited August 2016

    Great news! Never knew you would be so happy to have a seroma!

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited August 2016

    Great news!

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