Forum Discussion

debbie_frandsen's avatar
11 years ago

Newly diagnosed Triple neg

Hello Ladies,  I have been recently diagnosed with grade 3 invasive Pleomorphic carcinoma in right breast (45mm) with one confirmed lymph node affected.  I am also triple negative so my oncologist has me on reverse treatment, had portacath inserted and first taxo/carbo therapy within a week of diagnosis.  9 weeks down with 3 to go then start 4 doses of EC.  Against all advice I have been trawling websites looking for (relatively) up to date statistics on survival rates and recurrence rates.  Some of the dodgy stuff out there is seriously depressing (especially about pleomorphics).  I know everyone's experiences are different but what is the general concensus and what have some of you been told by your respective oncologists ?  Looking forward to reading everyone's experiences in this area.

warm regards

Debbie

1 Reply

  • Hi Debbie,

    I think I replied to one of your other posts. Can't remember. I had a 3cm invasive breast cancer and one positive node. Originally I had a lumpectomy followed by chemo and rads. Unfortunately I had a recurrence 6months after treatment finished. I am not telling you to freak you out but to let you know that a recurrence isn't the worst that can happen. I went on to have a mastectomy and more chemo(bugger) and then eventually a prophylactic mastectomy of my healthy breast and a double recon. Now the good news is I am 5 1/2 years from initial diagnosis and 4 years from 2nd!  Gotta be happy with that. I didn't and haven't goggled much as as you know you can freak yourself out. If you really want to hit the net then ask your oncologist for reputable websites. Mine gave me a list. What I do know about triple neg is it's fast growing and aggressive. My second tumor was not there or evident at the end of first lot of treatment and was 3cm by the time I found it. Triple neg(so I've been told) has a reasonable rate of recurrence in the first few years. However the good news is that the further you get from diagnosis the chances of a recurrence decrease. After five years you are a lot less likely to get a recurrence than someone with hormone positive cancer. I think as I hit that 4 year mark I am so happy to be here. 

    I wish you all the best.

    Paula xxxxx