I am worried

[charlotte]

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.....

[Lolly]

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

[Sheila]

Charlotte
THis almost sounds like skin mets from the original cancer...I would get it biopsied. Hope this helps!

[Joanne S]

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 (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_breast_cancer_staged_5.asp?rnav= cri)
Page down to The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM System
or
click Staging Explained (http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=142102#post142102) 11-18-2007

Well wishes,