What does this mean?

ica_062301

My mom was just told that her cancer is back and that it is incurable. She is only 57, and I just can't accept the fact that she has no hope for a cure. The doctor told her that she could do hormone therapy, but wants to do a lung biopsy first to see if her hormone receptors are positive. Her receptors were initially negative, but he says that they were on the line of being positive. I just don't understand all of this. Has anyone gone through this? What treatment did you do?

cabbott

I'm sorry your mom's cancer has progressed. She and her doctor haven't done anything wrong.Cancer just tends to do that. First understand that there is a HUGE difference between incurable and untreatable. What your mom's results mean is that she is in stage 4 cancer. Doctors have no way to make sure they have totally removed cancer from a person's body once it has left the breast and started moving around in the bloodstream and setting up camp in different parts of the body. But that doesn't mean they can't reduce the cancer in spots (maybe to the point it doesn't even show up on scans or cause problems for the patient.) The doctor wants to see exactly what her cancer has developed into so the best treatment can be found to treat her cancer and give her the best quality of life and the longest survival time. Hormone treatments, targetted drugs, chemotherapy, even bone building drugs can be used to fight the cancer and reduce its effects on the body. Different cancers respond to different treatments, so what is right for one patient is not necessarily best for another. It sounds like your doctor is aware of this and is suggesting tests to help choose the best treatment for your mom. If you have any doubts, get a second opinion from the best breast cancer oncologist you can get to. You will need the best battle plan you can to fight this stuff. Good luck!

KathiM

Sadly, for most cancers there is no cure. That does not mean anyone should fold up camp. It just becomes a 'chronic disease'....something that reminds us about it's presence every once in a while.

As far as hormone testing: My HER2 test was borderline. A subsequent test, called a FISH (no, I didn't hold seafood above my head..lol) test proved negative. For the HER2 positive people, there is Herceptin. It is a sort of miracle drug just recently out. I am puzzled tho, about testing the lung for this...unless the reoccurance is in the lung?

My girlfriend had both ER/PR positive and ER/PR negative breast cancer...one in each breast...she is living quite a wonderful life.

The only difference I know of in ER/PR positive treatment is that an estrogen inhibitor is perscribed after the chemo/radiation treatments are finished. Tamoxifen and Arimidex are a few names that are familiar. These we HR(hormone receptor) positive patients get to take for 5 years...

Living with breast cancer is possible, and with hope that a cure will be found, desirable compared to the alternative.

I agree, make sure with a second opinion.

Hugs, kathi

ica_062301

KathiM said:

Sadly, for most cancers there is no cure. That does not mean anyone should fold up camp. It just becomes a 'chronic disease'....something that reminds us about it's presence every once in a while.

As far as hormone testing: My HER2 test was borderline. A subsequent test, called a FISH (no, I didn't hold seafood above my head..lol) test proved negative. For the HER2 positive people, there is Herceptin. It is a sort of miracle drug just recently out. I am puzzled tho, about testing the lung for this...unless the reoccurance is in the lung?

My girlfriend had both ER/PR positive and ER/PR negative breast cancer...one in each breast...she is living quite a wonderful life.

The only difference I know of in ER/PR positive treatment is that an estrogen inhibitor is perscribed after the chemo/radiation treatments are finished. Tamoxifen and Arimidex are a few names that are familiar. These we HR(hormone receptor) positive patients get to take for 5 years...

Living with breast cancer is possible, and with hope that a cure will be found, desirable compared to the alternative.

I agree, make sure with a second opinion.

Hugs, kathi

Thanks. It is a reuccurence in her sternum, rib and lung. I am just so distraught and I feel like my mom is giving up. THanks for the advise. This will actually be our 3rd opinion, if I can get her to go.

Unknown

ica_062301 said:

Thanks. It is a reuccurence in her sternum, rib and lung. I am just so distraught and I feel like my mom is giving up. THanks for the advise. This will actually be our 3rd opinion, if I can get her to go.

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom's recurrence. Your Mom's reaction may be partly shock at hearing the diagnosis. There is a lot of difference between giving up and being realistic. I'm sure the most important treatment for her is your solid support and understanding. Sometimes cancer can be almost as difficult for family members to watch as for the cancer patient. Right now you are her courage and strength until she gets past this frightening diagnosis and begins to live with cancer. Hugs to the two of you.