Anyone had reoccurance with mastectomy

Sherryg683 · 08-14-2008, 05:24 AM

My friend wanted me to find out if any of ladies had a reoccurance occur in the same breast you had the mastectomy in. Also, how are you doing now and what you did to fight it...tk. you..sherryg683

StephN · 08-14-2008, 10:17 AM

Hi Sherry -
Nice of you to look for info to help your friend.

I did not have a mast, but know many women who did. Several have had tumor activity start in their scar area. This is also one of the things that happened to Lolly.

So, it's not unusual to have a local recurrance. I know that Navelbine can be good with Herceptin to control mets that occur like that. Xeloda is also being given, but I think some oncs like to save this drug for later if the others don't work.

Good luck to your friend that she will find the combo to get her back to NED.

Love your new pic.

BonnieT · 08-14-2008, 11:45 AM

hello
I had a bilateral mastectomy in 2002, reoccurance at surgical site that original tumor was in 2004, followed by more surgery, chemo, and radiation, herceptin . I have been cancer free since then. But awaiting lab results right now.
BonnieT

sarah · 08-14-2008, 11:59 AM

yes, I had a mastectomy - they told me I was cured and I believed them that time. And then almost 3 years later a cyst in that breast was taken out and was judged benign, (I wonder about that - did they fail to take out enough) then 2 years after that I had a cyst in the same place (inner bottom part of breast) and that was cancerous and had spread to over the sternum. They said it could have been some random cells left in the skin over the fascia or a new cancer. It was treated as a recurrence.
I was given Taxol and Herception weekly for 6 months, then radiation for 5 weeks and now continue on Herceptin and Femara nightly plus stuff for my bones (Clastoban).
I must say I was shocked and devastated when the recurrence in the same breast happened particularly since by having a mastectomy I had gone beyond what could have been a choice in an effort to be "sure" and they said I was cured.
I believe Herceptin and Femara are keeping me alive so far.
Good luck to your friend. Tell her to fight for the best treatment and stay positive and enjoy life.
You're a good friend and I hope that is truly appreciated by your friend. stay strong and don't wear yourself out trying to do too much. I've been a care giver to a friend with cancer who died recently and it's very tough. Sometimes I think being a patient is easier.
hugs and love
sarah

jml · 08-16-2008, 03:52 PM

After I had a mastectomy in 12/06, then reconstruction in 3/07 & 8/07, we were watching a couple of suspicious supraclavicular nodes.
Then in 10/07 the PET showed increased activity...so back to chemo.Gemzar/Hercepting through 2/08.
And now showing some activity in same 2 nodes again. This time we're doing radiation to the nodes & the chest wall...
Not happy

But glad the rest of me - especially my liver!- is still NED

Donna · 08-17-2008, 11:33 AM

She had a modified radical mastectomy with no chemo or radiation back in the day when that was all they did. Five and a half years later it recurred in the scar tissue in that same breast. This time they did surgery, chemo and radiation and now it has bee sixteen years NED.

Have a great day - Donna