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PaulineK's avatar
PaulineK
Member
10 years ago

Recurrence results

Hi,

I am a new member to this forum but not new to breast cancer diagnosis.  I originally had breast cancer in 2007 with diagnosis of invasive breast cancer no lymph nodes affected and oestrogen receptor positive.

My treatment was that I had two lumpectomies, 8 lymph nodes removed with sentinel node biopsy - negative result, radiation treatment and tamoxefin for 5 years. I developed lymphedema in the breast but fortunately not in the arm and have had several infections in the breast in the last couple of years which the doctor thinks is partly because of the lymphedema.

I have been having yearly mammograms and ultrasounds with a few in between as well when there was some concerns.  Two weeks ago I had a mammogram and ultrasound that found a new area of concern not far from the original scar.  I had a core biopsy that returned results of "at least DCIS" with recommendation to remove for further pathology testing.  I had lumpectomy on Monday and am now waiting for the next pathology results. 

The doctor is of course non-committal until the results come through but said that it was "non-invasive" with the core biopsy but if it comes back as "invasive" with the next pathology then then the treatment plan will be to at least include removing my breast and he had previously said about doing a PET scan to check for any spread to other parts of my body.

I am trying to remain positive but also am trying to find information on whether having had invasive the first time what then is the likelihood of this recurrence also being invasive in the end result.  If this is classed as being the same cancer recurred then I would think that this time would be very likely to be same invasive result.

Thank you to anyone who can shed a bit of light on this for me.  Hope I have complied with the forums posting requirements in the manner I have posted this.

Thank you.

Pauline

5 Replies

  • ScorpionQueen's avatar
    ScorpionQueen
    Member
    10 years ago

    Good news about the clear margins! But yes, you still have an important decision to make...whatever your choice it seems you are well informed.

    Wishing you the best of luck Pauline.

    Thinking of you 

    xX

     

  • PaulineK's avatar
    PaulineK
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi,

    Thanks to Bep, Tracy and Sandy for your replies.  I now have further results from pathology after the lumpectomy.  The doctor has told me it is Recurrent Solid Papillary Carcinoma and has been assessed as Invasive.  It is small at 6mm and clear margins because the surgeon wanted to be sure to have taken it all.  The first phone call from him about this result was to tell me what the report said but also that he wanted to discuss it further with the pathologist as the usual next treatment was mastectomy and he wanted to be sure it was warranted.

    I had another call yesterday from the doctor to say that the pathologist said there is no doubt that it is Invasive.  So when I asked him his recommendation he said - Mastectomy - either on it's own or with a Reconstruction.  Before we go any further though he wants a PET Scan just to make sure that the cancer has not already spread anywhere else.  If it has - then the treatment plan may change. 

    After 9 nine years - it is quite a bit to take onboard.  I am 59 years old (60 in March) and the prospect of the size of the surgery if I have reconstruction as well is quite daunting.  I have already been doing some research on it all since the biopsy two weeks ago and had previously read some things on it as well.  I am uncertain whether to just have the mastectomy and not the reconstruction but will be finding out as much information as I can and will weigh up advantages and disadvantages.  I am an average framed size women and although not a huge busted not small either.  So of course all of the thoughts of being so unbalanced lead me to think of Mastectomy on the left and reduction on the right side regardless of whether I have a reconstruction.

    For now, one foot in front of the other, the next step is PET Scan and see where to from there.  I am quite a logical thinking person and have been swaying from the analytical organised decision making person to a fall in a heap and have a weak moment person.  All very normal I think.

    I will read some more stories and blogs on this site and do other research.  Of course any further input here is invaluable as well.

    Hearing your stories helps to put some more pieces of the maze together. Thank you again - much appreciated.

    Cheers, Pauline

  • Beppie's avatar
    Beppie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Pauline,

    I had breast cancer in 2004 with a lumpectomy and radiation. I too was on tamoxifen for 5 years. In 2013 after 9 years and about to go out yearly checks my surgeon wasn't happy with my mammogram and ultrasound and ordered a core biopsy which turned out to be invasion cancer again in the same breast. I had a mastectomy and 6 months of chemotherapy. I'm now on Femera for the next 10 years. I'm negative for the BRCA gene but cousins are positive . My dad had breast cancer inially and in our family there are 16 people with it , some no love with us. One of my cousins had a double mastectomy aged 28 and died from breast cancer aged 44. There's no certainty and it doesn't follow any rules . Hope you have a positive outcome . Look at the websites and research . Wishing you well xx Bep

  • ScorpionQueen's avatar
    ScorpionQueen
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Pauline,

    im newly diagnosed too,  December 2015. Invasive ductal catcinoma, node positive and hormone receptive... I have had the tumour (70mm) removed and had a re excision due to unclear margins. I am currently undergoing chemo , and will finish that end of May. All surgeons have different approaches, but mine has suggested a bi lateral mastectomy with reconstruction at the end of chemo .. He says due to the nature of my cancer, and family history... My mum had breast cancer.. it's highly recommended to ensure it doesn't return in either breast... Chemo will hopefully ( no,  will) take care of any stray cells floating around elsewhere. ... It's a really big decision to make and shouldn't be taken lightly, but I have made s conscious decision to follow my surgeons advice... It's a scary thing to think I'll lose my breasts, but I'll be alive and will have new ones!  I wish you all the best with your decision. Gather all the information you can and talk at length with your surgeon ... 

    Tracy xx ???????

  • Sandy_J's avatar
    Sandy_J
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Pauline,

     

    Its always sad to hear of women going through multiple procedures for the same thing, my heart goes out to you. you're still here 8 years later and that's a huge achievement!!!

    I'm new to this forum having been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma hormone positive in April 2015.

    I chose with much thought and research to have a bilateral mastectomy to remove both breasts.  I too was lymph node negative and I'm on Arimidex, they say now for 10 years, as the instance of reoccurrences after 5 is increasing.

    I know I haven't removed the possibility of a metastatic cancer, however I have removed the pain of going through several diagnosis and surgeries over years.  it was bad enough to get the diagnosis as it was without having to think about every little change in the remaining breast tissue for years to come. 

    It was explained to me that they take the least invasive option first e.g. lumpectomy with Radiotherapy and chemo if lymph node positive, this they wouldn't know until surgery day.

    It was my choice to have both removed, and backed up by my breast surgeon, once I had made the decision on my own as an educated choice.. 

    I was lucky in the way that I illuminated radiotherapy and chemo.  also I was able to have skin sparing, immediate reconstruction with expanders, the complete process took 4 1/2  months.  I now have a very nice pair of replacement breasts that I'm really happy with, no one would pick that it is all silicone, not much skin left... I had implant reconstruction (not enough fat anywhere to build new breasts with my own tissue, so had to go implant) Great breast and plastic surgeons on my team, I can't thank them enough.

    My biggest thing now is managing the side effects of the Arimidex for which I have multiple and nasty, however determined to stay on it for as long as I have to, I know of too many beautiful women who have surrendered and taken the chance or taken it for the 5 years and still ended up with other metastatic cancer.  I'm a survivor and want to stay that way....

    Stay positive and make educated choices you can be advised but use your gut instinct, I did and it was right for me. gut instinct can be whatever decision and outcome is right for you, after all its your body.

    Not sure if this helps or not??

    Sandy