Neck dissection
Hi all, I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer in Oct 2024 involving the left breast, skin and lymph nodes, I was 46. My cancer is hormone positive, progesterone negative and HER2 positive. In terms of treatment, I’ve had the following; Chemo (Taxol, AC (red devil) and Kadcyla) Full cycle of Herceptin Left mastectomy and full lymph clearance Radiotherapy Letrozole for 3mths, changed to Anastrozole almost 6mths now Zoledex for 6 mths Bilateral Oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries and tubes) Zoledronic Acid every 6mths 3 weeks ago I found I lump in my neck and yes after only 13mths of being cancer free my cancer is now metastatic with multiple tumours above my collarbone and neck. We are from Broken Hill so travel to Adelaide for treatments. Since discovering the new tumours, I’ve had the right breast removed and am now back on chemo but different protocol. I am now stage 4 with no hope of a cure. My breast surgeon advised that surgery would not be an option. The issue that I have is that because 1 of the tumours was already part of the original radiated area from last years treatment, my are not able to provide a meaningful dose of radiation. Whilst having the discussion with my radiation oncologist, she said “what about surgery?” We had the discussion that surgery wasn’t an option etc however she went on to say, “yes not for a breast cancer surgeons but other surgeons would be able to do these types of surgeries all the time” and she goes on to name types of surgeons that could perform surgeries on the head and neck. She takes it up with the rest of my team the following day at the weekly MDT meetings and when I had my next meeting with my oncologist he tells me it’s a viable option and that he has referred me to 2 surgeons who are able to perform the surgery. This was last Thursday 27th Aug. I then met with the 2 surgeons last Thursday who went through the whole procedure, explained that although they do this type of surgery (left neck dissection with clearance) it’s not done for Breast Cancer as it’s not often BC spreads to the neck etc. Because of the aggressive nature of Inflammatory Breast Cancer they want to do these types surgery asap to prevent further spread to the head, so I was given a date of early October. I am very apprehensive about this surgery. I did sign the consent form but I am still in 2 minds. My entire team believe that the surgery will give me the best outcome of prolonging the spread of the disease and made it clear it will not be a cure. I am interested to see and hear from someone who may have had this procedure or anyone that is going through Inflammatory Breast Cancer itself. From diagnostic scans to diagnosis to treatment my entire journey has been at an incredible pace once again due to the nature of the aggressiveness of my disease. I feel overwhelmed and would appreciate hearing from someone in a similar position. Particularly in terms of the recovery and long terms effects of this surgery. I did get this from my team but I think it’s always better to get a lived experience perspective. Thank you in advance