Node Metastases on opposite side.

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Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited April 2018 in Second or Third Breast Cancer
Node Metastases on opposite side.
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  • bgirl
    bgirl Member Posts: 538
    edited January 2020

    Found a 2.6 cm lump under my armpit on left side.

    Had a mammogram and clinical breast exam from my surgeon in September and a clinical breast exam at Gynecologist in January who felt nothing. Even now my surgeon said she wouldn't have felt it if she didn't know it was there. Only noticeable when laying on my side. Lesson to be learned there when doing self-exam.

    Had an ultrasound which indicated a suspicious lymph node. Negative mammogram (both sides) and a breast ultrasound on that side. Nothing shows. Node was biopsied and showed cancer cells. Further IH testing has indicated 80% ER positive, GATA3 positive and e-cadherin positive which supports the theory that it is breast cancer.

    Bone Scan done. Awaiting Breast MRI (maybe something with show there), and CT scan.

    METs, unusual on other side, but so metastatic node without sign of a new primary on other side.

    Feeling stressed, scared, angry (discharged from local cancer centre April 8, 2017), confused and unsure what this all means. Hoping all these tests provide some clarity. Not sure if anyone else has been in the same situation.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2018

    Jane,

    I hope you find others that can share a similar experience. It's what we all fear, I know, and I hope that this worry will be quickly resolved, you'll get it fixed (so to speak) and move on with your life. I remember reading many stories on these boards about women who've had recurrences/new primaries and they get treated and are still here years and years later.

    Hugs

    Claire in AZ

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  • Peacetoallcuzweneedit
    Peacetoallcuzweneedit Member Posts: 233
    edited April 2018

    I am so sorry that you have to go through this again bgirl. I have read other posts about node involvement without a primary source. In addition, I have read research articles about that very topic. Bgirl, I know getting the tests done is what is needed, but then I also know it puts us into the "wait and see" mode - that I know for me, is overwhelming. Bgirl it doesn't sound like mets. It sounds as if this is a new primary - I hope someone will come by soon that can offer more insight. I am sending support bgirl...

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  • Runmommy
    Runmommy Member Posts: 13
    edited April 2018

    Jane, this is almost exactly what happened to me about a year and a half ago. I had a positive axillary LN found on the opposite side as my original cancer (which hadn’t seemed to spread to any LNs on that side at the time...) which was treated in 2014/2015.

    My doctors treated this aggressively, with chemo again, mastectomy on the other side, axillary dissection, and radiation of both sides, chest walls, LNs. The guess was that this could be a new primary but no sign of cancer in my breast, or, the original cancer maybe travelled to the other side via lymphatics (rare, but it’s happened). They said, no reason not to give the benefit of the doubt that this is still curable.

    I have a hard time not knowing why or how it happened or what could come next. I think the science is evolving though, but things like this don’t quite fit into a box... which is sometimes frustrating, but sometimes not so bad- not much to google. I’m staying on Herceptin/perjeta indefinitely to be safe, and am doing fine. Mydoctor is always very optimistic which helps.

    I hope you’ve gotten some answers or will get some soon. Please keep us updated...

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  • bgirl
    bgirl Member Posts: 538
    edited January 2020

    Thanks for your insights and support. Had a breast MRI this morning, hoping it shows something. I know that sound a little twisted, but since I already know there is cancer it would be nice to know where it is coming from. CT scan tomorrow. Get all the results at once on Monday from my surgeon. I think she wants to have a complete picture before referring me back to my MO. Hard to make treatment decisions based on speculation. Had a Oncotype DX score of 18 last time, so no chemo. Don't think that will be the case this time. Trying not to freak out and take it one step at a time. But my brain is exhausted with the what-ifs. Plan on telling my children this weekend. A little heads up in case we get the worst case news on Monday.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2018

    Hoping you get answers soon. Sorry you are facing this again, but am super glad this was found when it seems to have not been seen on multiple types of exams.

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  • Daywalker
    Daywalker Member Posts: 99
    edited April 2018

    Hi bgirl I had a biopsy done this morning on a 6mm lymphnode n the opposite side of my primary cancer, because the CT scan showed a swollen lymphnode last week. However, I did have reconstructive surgery done five weeks prior to the scan, so it could be inflammation. Doctor wants to make sure I guess, but I share your feelings of anxiety and need for clarity. This is a very hard road to travel on, but we don't have a choice. All the best xx

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  • bgirl
    bgirl Member Posts: 538
    edited January 2020

    Daywalker. Hoping for the best for you.

    So I had the MRI and it showed possibly a spot that may be of concern. Hopefully this confirms the working diagnosis of a possible new primary on the other side. In which case the lymph node at 26mm may very well be bigger than the tumour. Was supposed to get all my results today including my CT and bone scan, but now put off to May 1. They are going to do a biopsy tomorrow (US if they can see now that they know where to look) or an (MRI, more likely). So exhausted by tests already, wishing I had answers and not looking forward to doing treatment again.

    Told my kids this weekend. Hard, but at least I can stop hiding from them.

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