what if chemo and radiation doesn't get it all?

Stormie64
Stormie64 Member Posts: 2
in Breast Cancer #1
Some history. My mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988 at the age of 47. She had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. She was diagnosed the second time in 2004 (age 63). It was not a recurrence but a "new" cancer in the same breast as before. Treatment was a mastectomy only. It was caught early.

Fast forward to June 2011. She noticed a hard lump on her chest right in the middle. This turned out to be a recurrence of her cancer from 2004. She had scans done that was negative so it did not spread. She went through intense chemo once every 3 weeks for about 4 months. Then surgery. We got a copy of her pathology report which showed clear margins BUT a small tiny piece remained. 0.08 cm. I was surprised that the chemo didn't take care of it all.

She is now having radiation daily for 5 weeks.

What I want to know from her oncologist is due to this bad news, what is her prognosis? I am going to ask at her appointment in January.

She has always be a strong person. She is my best friend. Without going into a whole other non related story, she is my reason for living. Literally. When she goes, I am going to have to also.

Sorry for the book. I am just super stressed and worried. ( I am on anti-depressants and anxiety medication) Have been for 20+ years.

Thank you for reading. Any thoughts on my mom's situation would be appreciated.

Comments

  • mruczko
    mruczko Member Posts: 110
    #2
    Doesn't get it all
    Stormie, my dear - please talk to your doctor about your thoughts, if you haven't done so already. By all means go with your Mother to her appointment and ask questions. It's always a good thing to have another person along, another ear. My oncologist refuses to answer any questions related to prognosis or chances of recurrence. Your Mother still has radiation to get at what some call "the beast". I myself am 15 months out from the end of radiation, preceded by 6 months chemo, a lumpectomy and 1 year out from the end of Herceptin. I am sure there are other ladies out there with similar experiences to your Mother.
    Lots of Hugs to you,
    Marlene
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #3
    Prognosis
    Hi Stormie,

    Your mother has a very good chance of doing great. Her old breast cancer of 1988 should it ever come back would be considered "indolent". She is dealing according to your post to a recurrence from her new cancer of 2004. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation should take care of her cancer. Her prognosis should be excellent. There is however, no 100% guarantee to anyone diagnose with breast cancer.

    You don't mention the stage but you posted that there isn't any cancer that was found in any other area. Her recurrence remains a local one as it is in the area of the breast.

    She is not stage IV which is only when cancer cell go to the bones, brain, liver, lungs or some further area away from the breast. Following is a web page explaining stages by the National Cancer Institute.

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/Patient/page2

    As I said, there are no guarantees, but I would say that your mother should have every expectations to live out her normal span of years.

    Best,

    Doris
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #4
    SIROD said:

    Prognosis
    Hi Stormie,

    Your mother has a very good chance of doing great. Her old breast cancer of 1988 should it ever come back would be considered "indolent". She is dealing according to your post to a recurrence from her new cancer of 2004. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation should take care of her cancer. Her prognosis should be excellent. There is however, no 100% guarantee to anyone diagnose with breast cancer.

    You don't mention the stage but you posted that there isn't any cancer that was found in any other area. Her recurrence remains a local one as it is in the area of the breast.

    She is not stage IV which is only when cancer cell go to the bones, brain, liver, lungs or some further area away from the breast. Following is a web page explaining stages by the National Cancer Institute.

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/breast/Patient/page2

    As I said, there are no guarantees, but I would say that your mother should have every expectations to live out her normal span of years.

    Best,

    Doris

    One thing...
    PLEASE....don't ask about your Mother's prognosis in front of her without her permission to do so...SHE may prefer not to know, if it isn't good...hopefully that's not the case...you sound like a wonderful, caring daughter...but perhaps you should consult your own physician about your feelings...
    .Breast cancer is a sneaky thing...no one goes into treatment with guarantees....no doctor or anyone else can give you or your mother that reassurance....we just do what we have to do with our PHYSICIANS RECOMMENDATIONS....and hope it puts us in remission....

    Wishing you and your mother the best...
  • Stormie64
    Stormie64 Member Posts: 2
    #5
    MAJW said:

    One thing...
    PLEASE....don't ask about your Mother's prognosis in front of her without her permission to do so...SHE may prefer not to know, if it isn't good...hopefully that's not the case...you sound like a wonderful, caring daughter...but perhaps you should consult your own physician about your feelings...
    .Breast cancer is a sneaky thing...no one goes into treatment with guarantees....no doctor or anyone else can give you or your mother that reassurance....we just do what we have to do with our PHYSICIANS RECOMMENDATIONS....and hope it puts us in remission....

    Wishing you and your mother the best...

    Thank you all for your replies
    I have been taking her to her appointments. I am very close to my mom.
    She is my best friend. She does know what I will be asking her doctor.

    When this 3rd bout started, I overheard her doctor telling the nurse that "we
    are going for cure". I had hope then. But this residual piece of evil cancer
    that is still there scares me. My mom, for the first time, is scared too.

    I don't know what her stage is now.

    My mom got a copy of the pathology for this latest surgery. I guess I was confused about how they could get clear margins but still have a piece of this residual stuff.

    Here is her diagnosis from the surgery:
    "Residual poorly differentiated infiltrating ductal carcinoma, measuring
    0.08 cm in greatest dimension; well removed from all surgical lines of
    resection"
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #6
    Sorry about your worries...
    You are a sweet daughter. I am sorry your mom is dealing with this again, and that you are so anxious and worried. I don't have experience with her situation, but I wanted to say that my prayers are with her (and you). I pray that everything turns out OK for your mom. May she recover from all of this soon. Please let us know about her progress and what Drs. say. I wish you and your mom nothing but the best of luck.

    Hugs
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #7
    MAJW said:

    One thing...
    PLEASE....don't ask about your Mother's prognosis in front of her without her permission to do so...SHE may prefer not to know, if it isn't good...hopefully that's not the case...you sound like a wonderful, caring daughter...but perhaps you should consult your own physician about your feelings...
    .Breast cancer is a sneaky thing...no one goes into treatment with guarantees....no doctor or anyone else can give you or your mother that reassurance....we just do what we have to do with our PHYSICIANS RECOMMENDATIONS....and hope it puts us in remission....

    Wishing you and your mother the best...

    You are a good daughter!
    You are a good daughter! Please know how very sorry I am that your Mother had a recurrence and that I will be praying for her. Keep us updated.


    Hugs, Jan

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