Gemzar and BC skin mets?

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LoveFromPhilly
LoveFromPhilly Member Posts: 1,308
edited August 2021 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hello friends!

It's been a very long time since I have posted anything. How is everyone doing? Been going down the MBC road of life, sometimes very quickly and sometimes very slowly. Recently things have taken off more quickly and I started my first chemotherapy of Gemzar yesterday. I don't feel badly at all! Fingers and toes crossed!

How long after receiving your first dose or second dose did you start to feel badly if you do/did?

I had a unilateral mastectomy in March for an aggressive tumor that popped up in my primary location of the breast cancer. Now a bunch of little skin mets have popped up around surgical site. I had them biopsied when I was under anesthesia getting the port placed on Monday. Started chemo Wednesday and found out yesterday that the biopsy of the skin mets came back positive as breast cancer skin mets.

Anyone been through this? How did it go? We are hoping the Gemzar clears away the mets and that will also clear away any internal mets as well.

Much love and hugs from Philly to everyone <3<3<3

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  • Sadiesservant
    Sadiesservant Member Posts: 1,995
    edited July 2021

    Hi Philly,

    I don’t think skin mets are very common but I did have an experience with this. When I was originally diagnosed as metastatic I had a small lesion show up above my left breast. I initially thought nothing of it, thinking it was my bra strap rubbing. However, it simply wouldn’t heal despite ointments, bandaids, etc. I didn’t have it biopsied but showed it to my MO who confirmed it could be skin mets. A few weeks after I started on Ibrance it healed and disappeared although there is still a slight scar.

    Fast forward a couple of years. I was on Faslodex but there were signs that it may be failing. I noticed a number of red blotches under my left breast. No open lesions this time but very persistent. I started on Verzenio and again they disappeared.

    Nicole has talked about her experience with “bites”. You might also want to look back at Amarantha’s old posts as I recall she battled skin mets. I do think they will respond to effective treatment. Hope Gemzar takes them out for you.

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited July 2021

    Hi, Philly. I just noticed the info (maybe newly added?) in your "stats" about the MSH6 mutation. I also have an MSH6 mutation. Some cancer genetics doctors pooh pooh a connection with that mutation and breast cancer, but others believe bc should be on the list and are actively working to establish the connection. Anyway, I just wanted to be sure you are aware that they should test your biopsy tissue for microsatellite instability, and if that is shown to be high, discuss the use of Keytruda/pembrolizumab. MSI-high is not uncommon in Lynch associated cancers.


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  • LoveFromPhilly
    LoveFromPhilly Member Posts: 1,308
    edited July 2021

    Hi Sadiesservant and ShetlandPony!! So wonderful to hear from you both. Thank you for taking the time to write to me. Sadie - thank you that is helpful to hear. Its just like one more wacky thing to pop up! I am so glad that the skin mets you had went away with the treatments.

    Shetland! Yes! I do have this mutation and thank goodness my brilliant MO is sending it off for exactly what you are talking about, the MSI-high. I think he is sending through Foundation One testing or something like that. It is so interesting, having Lynch syndrome, isn't it? Turns out it is passed down from my mom's side of the family. My siblings and cousins need to get tested now. I am not sure how much they are making strides in making this happen. I do believe there is a connection with this genetic MMR mutation and MBC. Science keeps moving along and so do we!

    Much gratitude to you both and hope you are doing and feeling okay? I have been away from this site for a while spending a bit more time on facebook and also instagram. I have been less actively engaged but I am so grateful for you and everyone here!! Much love and hugs to you both! Brenda

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  • jobur
    jobur Member Posts: 726
    edited July 2021

    Hi LovefromPhilly! I'm sorry I don't have any helpful experiences or suggestions for you, but just wanted to say I have missed you and wondered how you were doing. Glad to hear you have such an excellent, on top of things mo. Sending a big hug and hopes you have good luck with Gemzar.

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  • LoveFromPhilly
    LoveFromPhilly Member Posts: 1,308
    edited August 2021

    Hi dear jobur!! Thank you so much for saying hello! It has been a while and I am so happy to see you here!! I see you have been through some treatments. How are you doing and how have you been feeling? I just found out from petscan on Thursday that liver mets are growing fast in my liver here right now so I am definitely asking the great universe to maybe pave a little path in its destiny on Earth here a bit longer and let this Gemzar start to work its magic!!!

    How is the Xeloda treating you?

    You all have always been in my heart and mind and I hope to continue to come back on here more often and get to reconnecting with all our old friends and our new ones.

    I think the pandemic and the whole world being on fire has made me even more of a hermit, on top of cancer! Trying to feel when it feels right to be outside and in the world. It is a very strange time!

    Much love to you!

    LoveFromPhilly aka Brenda

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