Scared,T.N with unknown primary CUP!!!

I notice in your signature that there is no result for nodes. Does this mean that your breast tumour and SNB were not removed after they discovered you were Stage IV, that they just went straight into treatment for the mets? If so, that could result in a notation of CUP, but no doubt as to it having been breast cancer. They just never did a full evaluation of the primary tumor.

Hope everything gets straightened out

{{{hugs}}}

Lisa

Snowyday,

How D*** confusing...Send a email to Tenderinthenight under member list and see if she can help you.  This lady has incredible knowledge.  Maybe she can show you where to start asking questions and getting info.

Keep us up to date with what you find out.  I'm praying that you get some answers soon.

Living in hope,

Flalady

I thought Tender was taking a break from the board.  She may not answer.

Hi Ladies,



I sent you a pm, Pearl.



I am so sorry for your recent anxiety stirred up by looking at your pathology report. They're dreadful to read, aren't they, pertaining to ourselves, so upfront and in our face?



As are you and the other ladies, I find it puzzling that you were told you had breast cancer and treated for breast cancer, and when you pull out your path report after an appropriate absence, you see the entry unknown primary. I take it it says, something like, adenocarcinoma (glandular carcinoma) unknown primary. This is an entry made when the pathologist might not be able to distinguish the organ of origin for any number of reasons. But they can distinguish that it's a glandular organ, which is important, and on which your chemotherapy selection was undoubtedly based.



Like you, the puzzle pieces which seem missing are what your doctors subsequently found on looking at your pathology tissue to warrant their decision that this is breast cancer. With breast cancer being so common, most pathologists/oncologists/surgeons must rule in or out the breast as a source when they initially determine adenocarcinoma of unknown origin. In your case, having been told it was breast cancer, it appears this is what took place. Perhaps they later obtained an expert second pathology opinion (common in difficult cases) as well as special histologic stains, or even newer molecular and enzyme studies.



I know in the flurry of treatments, and ongoing pains and fatigue, I have not understood certain points when reviewed. You are right, Pearl, to try to get a better understanding now of the basis on which your oncologist confirmed you had breast cancer.



All of this, on top of your ongoing GI problems, and recent difficulties are an awful lot for a woman to handle alone. You're tired of feeling sick, and miss the good old days when fatigue was from a physical or mental exhaustion, and not a sick exhaustion. I'm just wondering if you and your doctors might talk about some social services which may be available to you that as yet, have not been applied to. Would you consider reaching out to the local American Cancer Society membership, to see if they may help you with interfacing with your doctors, as well as personally. This is what people living with cancer do for one another, and such help is offered with a willing heart.



We can offer you our Sisterhood, Pearl, and thank goodness for that. Many genuine voices posted to you of late over concern and we will remain here for you to reach to. Please do check in either privately or otherwise to let a sister(s) know how it is going for you daily, especially since you're going through an active GI evaluation, which is so stressful on us to go through.



In terms of your treatment, I can only suggest that you speak with your oncologist obviously for clarification. However, knowing your breast tumor was an adenocarcinoma allowed him or her to select chemotherapy which is known to be effective against this type, so I think you can rest some on this point.



We're all pulling for you, Pearl. Please keep posting, and try to get this GI evaluation further discussed and scheduled so you will have some answers. We're hoping this will lessen your very overflowing plate.



Sending warmth and support your way,

Tender

Pearl,

I am sorry that i don't know anything about your pathology report and can't help with that, but just wanted to let you know that i am thinking about you. I read your thread about your GI problems, and i am a bit worried that you are freaking out and perhaps this stress is making your GI problems more acute.

One time i got a copy of the MRI done of my spine and because i could not understand any of the medical terms in it, i googled each of them one after the other, but not in context with each other.  All i accomplished was that I scared myself witless by doing that.  So remember, try not to over-read or over-interpret what your path report says.  If i understood correctly, it seems that Tender was saying that the doctors had interpreted your path report as breast cancer.  Anyway, you should call your onc or other doc and ask more about this.  I want to wish you the best of luck.

celia 

Pearl,

With all you that have going on in your life with bowels, colonoscopies, path reports, stress, and also MOVING, which means packing and organizing---no wonder you are so fatigued!!!  Besides that, lots of oncs say that after treatment it takes a minimum of the same amount of total time you were in treatment, to get somewhat better from the effects of treatment.  So if your tx (chemo and rads) took 8 months, then you need at least 8 months of time after tx to start to feel better.  It really is a slow process.   Bouncing back after a surgery is probably easier than after bc treatment.

I hope you get settled in your new place quickly and can relax a bit.  i am praying for you for good news.

hugs,

celia 

just checking in to see how Pearl is doing......thinking about you!