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11-27-2007, 02:38 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 131
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I am worried
I have a question for the folks on this board.. It may have been answered before, and I missed it ? It may be a stupid question but I would like to know if it is possible to get inflammatory breast cancer back in the same breast that a mastectomy had been done along with reconstruction? I was a stage 1, node negative, 2 years out, came back with a stage 3 b or 4? The Dr. told me one thing the chart said another.. will ask him about this next appointment... now I am almost18 months out from surgery and have some signs and symptoms of this..I have a red area close to the scar line . I don't want to panic but I am worried ... I had mammogram done on that breast, cat scan of abdomen done , all labs normal 2 months ago...everything was looking good...
I would appreciate any information that may be given.... I have searched over the internet and haven't been able to find the answer to this... thanks for any replies.....
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11-27-2007, 03:49 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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Charlotte, I don't know if your primary cancer was inflammatory or not, but the definitive answer as to whether skin changes represent cancer of any kind is a biopsy of the affected skin, so if this continues to worry you and doesn't clear up, get a biopsy done. The pathologist should be able to determine, if it is cancer, whether it's a return of the same type of cancer or a new cancer.
Best wishes, and keep us posted.
<3 Lolly
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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11-27-2007, 06:21 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Charlotte
THis almost sounds like skin mets from the original cancer...I would get it biopsied. Hope this helps!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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11-27-2007, 08:19 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan
Posts: 592
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Charlotte, I wouldn't worry yet---chances are that it is just an inflamation, infection or cyst. I agree with the other responses and suggest you get a biopsy done to be sure.
We are all at risk for having breast cancer grow back in the same breast area after mastectomy because there is no guarantee that 100% of breast tissue or breast cancer was removed (microscopic cells can remain after surgery).
You indicated you were initially dx as Stage 1. I'm a little confused by your post---I wasn't sure if you had a recurrence two years after your initial diagnosis? If so, where is the recurrence? Possibly Stage 3 or 4? Stage 4 (metastized) is considered advanced disease when you have a recurrence in another area/organ other than the breast or lymph nodes;( i.e., liver, lung, bone).
You may find this link helpful:
Staging explained:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/co...5.asp?rnav=cri
Page down to The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM System
or
click Staging Explained 11-18-2007
Well wishes,
__________________
Aug06...Dx Age 50, IDC Left Breast, 6+/16 lymph nodes, Stg 3, ER+/PR+/HER2+
Sep06-Jan07...Mediport. Chemo: AC x 4, T x 4
Dec06-Nov07...Herceptin
Feb12,2007...Surg MRM Left & SM Right, reconstruct w/expanders
Mar07-Jun07...Saline Exp
Jun07...Start Tamoxifen
Jun07-Aug07...Rad x 25
Jun07-Oct07...Persistent fevers-unknown origin
Jun07-Nov07...PT for Severe PMPS & Capsular Contracture
Nov07...Surg Capsulectomy, Gel Implants, PMPS pain gone instantly.
Feb08...NED 1st CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Feb08...2 months post surgery Caps Cont again :(
Mar08...Stop Tamoxifen. Start Arimidex.
Apr08...Sudden high fever, Hosp ICU 10 days, staph infect, emerg surg, implants removed. Outpt IVantibiotics Daily x 6 weeks
Feb11...NED 5th CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Feb12...NED 6th CANCERVERSARY!!!!!
Aug12...Spotting. Surg=D&C
Sep12...STAGE IV = RARE BC METS TO UTERUS ILC ER+/PR+/HER2-Negative) (Different BC than originally diagnosed = IDC ER+/PR+/HER2+).
Sep12...Stop Arimidex. Start Afinitor & Aromasin.
Jan13...MRI = no progression no reduction
Apr13...Progression. Stop Afinitor & Aromasin.
Apr13...Start Chemo: Taxol & Carboplatin.
Nov13...Scans & Pelvic 95+% Reduction. Nueropathy>Stop chemo start Fareston.
Jan14...PET scan = no progression stable.
May14...Pelvic > Bleeding & cramps. TMs up.
May14...PET scan = uterine progression :(
May14...Stop Fareston. Start Chemo: Xeloda.
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