second primary cancerr

elizagain

AFter 5 years, 4 rounds of chemo, 6 weeks of rads and tamox for almost 5 years (lumpectomy stage 1) I have a second primary cancer in the same breast. I'm having a bilateral mastectomy on June 11. at first I wasn't all that worred, because it looks very early, caught with my most recent mammo gram (after my last mammogram only 6 months before). Unfortuantely, everytime I read something about recurrence, it goes straight to metastasis. I am having bone scans, cat scans, which my doctor says are way overkill, but she's doing them anyway! After all this "information" I'm a wreck. I spoke to a reach to recovery person who had the same thing and she is fine. But I need more! Anyone else out there had this happen? I'd almost feel better if it were int he 2nd breast, but it's in the same one.

jhope

Elizabeth, I am recent survivor on breast ca, first time but had chemo and radiation. I go every 3 months for cat scans etc and it is very scary. Its perfectly natural to be afraid, remember that when everyone around you keeps saying don't worry etc. You are not alone, there are lots of us out here and many survivors. I am glad to have bone density, cat scans, to know than not. It is reassuring to know that you are getting good health care rather than doctors that aren't listening. God bless you, Julia

hillbillycat

Hi Elizagain, I must say that what you wrote scared me. I am a stage 1 with a lumpectomy also. I have just finished treatments . Is your second primary cancer also a stage 1? I wish you lots of luck and I will be thinking about you....Shirl

inkblot

Hi elizagain:

I'm 3 years out now and doing very well. Like yourself, Stage 1, lumpectomy, Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection, followed by chemo and rads. I've had no recurrence or mets, however, as encouragement, a local/regional recurrence is far preferable to a distant met and, according to the research, easier to treat. Even moreso when it's an entirely new cancer.

Have you already had biopsy and gotten your path report? Just wondering about the nature of the new tumor? We all know that radiation, in itself, can cause a new tumor and it is not uncommon for them to recur in and around the original tumor site. So, this doesn't necessarily mean that this cancer grew from stray cells from your original cancer. A completely new tumor wouldn't have grown from any surviving cells of your first tumor. If that makes sense. In such a scenario (if you have a completely different cancer this time)then this means that it's not anymore likely to met than your original cancer. So, you couldn't necessarily link any increase in future mets with the new tumor, assuming that the new tumor has different properties altogether.

I can imagine how worried and upset you are right now but until all the details are known, post surgery, try not to be thinking the worst regarding eventual mets. Try to focus your energies on the upcoming surgery and try to take it one day at a time. Rely on family and friends for support and loving care and continue to visit here, where you'll also find lots of support.

That this cancer was found early is very good news. If your current doctor is the same doctor who treated you before, then you must have a great relationship by now and that's also a tremendous plus.

You'll be in my thoughts and I'm sending warm hugs
your way. Best wishes for a smooth surgery and please keep us posted.

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

krisrey

inkblot said:

Hi elizagain:

I'm 3 years out now and doing very well. Like yourself, Stage 1, lumpectomy, Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection, followed by chemo and rads. I've had no recurrence or mets, however, as encouragement, a local/regional recurrence is far preferable to a distant met and, according to the research, easier to treat. Even moreso when it's an entirely new cancer.

Have you already had biopsy and gotten your path report? Just wondering about the nature of the new tumor? We all know that radiation, in itself, can cause a new tumor and it is not uncommon for them to recur in and around the original tumor site. So, this doesn't necessarily mean that this cancer grew from stray cells from your original cancer. A completely new tumor wouldn't have grown from any surviving cells of your first tumor. If that makes sense. In such a scenario (if you have a completely different cancer this time)then this means that it's not anymore likely to met than your original cancer. So, you couldn't necessarily link any increase in future mets with the new tumor, assuming that the new tumor has different properties altogether.

I can imagine how worried and upset you are right now but until all the details are known, post surgery, try not to be thinking the worst regarding eventual mets. Try to focus your energies on the upcoming surgery and try to take it one day at a time. Rely on family and friends for support and loving care and continue to visit here, where you'll also find lots of support.

That this cancer was found early is very good news. If your current doctor is the same doctor who treated you before, then you must have a great relationship by now and that's also a tremendous plus.

You'll be in my thoughts and I'm sending warm hugs
your way. Best wishes for a smooth surgery and please keep us posted.

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

Hi Ink,
I am almost 6 months out of treatment and just recently had a scare on the other breast. Thank God this time the MRI showed negative, but they are watching it very closely and I may still have to have it out, but not for six months. My doctor said the same thing you just said, he can handle a new cancer or cancer coming back in the breast, thats much better than finding it elsewhere because he said he can treat the breast or have mastectomy. But needless to say its very scary coming across a new lump only six months out of treatment. Now I find myself doubting the MRI and am already worried about going back in six months for an ultrasound. I know that everybody is going to say...Dont worry about it now.. but how can I not, I have had the shingles, and two biopsy's of the other breast all since ending treatment from three surgeries, 8 rounds of chemo and 7 weeks of rads...WHEW....I am trying to get past it all, but everytime I turn around something comes flying in my face!!!
Also I wanted to ask you about what you meant about radiation causing a new tumor, I had not heard that before.
Thanks and GOd Bless
Kris

elizagain

jhope said:

Elizabeth, I am recent survivor on breast ca, first time but had chemo and radiation. I go every 3 months for cat scans etc and it is very scary. Its perfectly natural to be afraid, remember that when everyone around you keeps saying don't worry etc. You are not alone, there are lots of us out here and many survivors. I am glad to have bone density, cat scans, to know than not. It is reassuring to know that you are getting good health care rather than doctors that aren't listening. God bless you, Julia

Hi, thanks so much for your response. Yup, I know it's better that they are checking - it's just a shock to think that I did everythng "right" and I still got a recurrence. It is a local recurrence so I think I'll be fine.

elizagain

hillbillycat said:

Hi Elizagain, I must say that what you wrote scared me. I am a stage 1 with a lumpectomy also. I have just finished treatments . Is your second primary cancer also a stage 1? I wish you lots of luck and I will be thinking about you....Shirl

Hi, yes, I was sort of afraid of freaking people out but actually, I have a local recurrence (It's called a second primary, so it's as if I never had the first one). Prognosis, so far, is very good. So don't worry! But keep praying!

elizagain

inkblot said:

Hi elizagain:

I'm 3 years out now and doing very well. Like yourself, Stage 1, lumpectomy, Sentinel Lymph Node Dissection, followed by chemo and rads. I've had no recurrence or mets, however, as encouragement, a local/regional recurrence is far preferable to a distant met and, according to the research, easier to treat. Even moreso when it's an entirely new cancer.

Have you already had biopsy and gotten your path report? Just wondering about the nature of the new tumor? We all know that radiation, in itself, can cause a new tumor and it is not uncommon for them to recur in and around the original tumor site. So, this doesn't necessarily mean that this cancer grew from stray cells from your original cancer. A completely new tumor wouldn't have grown from any surviving cells of your first tumor. If that makes sense. In such a scenario (if you have a completely different cancer this time)then this means that it's not anymore likely to met than your original cancer. So, you couldn't necessarily link any increase in future mets with the new tumor, assuming that the new tumor has different properties altogether.

I can imagine how worried and upset you are right now but until all the details are known, post surgery, try not to be thinking the worst regarding eventual mets. Try to focus your energies on the upcoming surgery and try to take it one day at a time. Rely on family and friends for support and loving care and continue to visit here, where you'll also find lots of support.

That this cancer was found early is very good news. If your current doctor is the same doctor who treated you before, then you must have a great relationship by now and that's also a tremendous plus.

You'll be in my thoughts and I'm sending warm hugs
your way. Best wishes for a smooth surgery and please keep us posted.

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

Hi inkblot. love your name. I don't know much about the tumor yet - it's pretty much DCIS with some invasion. My doctor says it's very small and she doesn't think it's reached the nodes, or anything else. But still. I won't know til next Friday, June 11 when I have a double mastectomey, because I do NOT want to do this again!! I really appreciate your note - it's just what I needed.