Hi there,
I’m just hoping to get some advice, my sister was dx with an IDC (stage 3) in July last year, an immediate lumptectomy of 7cm tumor and axillary clearance revealled 17/26 node involvement, pathology report showed cancerous presence on nearly all margins, er/pr- HER2+++.
She was 23 at the time. She has since gone through chemo and had a double mastectomy, initially the docs advised that she was to go on herceptin straight after the surgery, however the pathology report came back from the breast tissue and revealled 3 more small tumors so they have decided to change her treatment plans.
Last week they advised that she was going to begin a 5 week course of radiotherapy before the herceptin instead. However she has since been advised that another tumor has been discovered in the breast area, and treatment plans are to be reassessed again.
Does anyone have an understanding of localised reoccurences? I realise that a tumor thats invasive has by definition developed the ability to colonise the surrounding breast tissue. But considering the removal of the primary tumor, should they be regarded as secondary? If not does it have any wider implications for her prognosis?
Thanks for any advice anyone can give 
Hi EnglishC, and welcome to the Breast Cancer Care discussion forums. I’m sure you’ll get lots of support from the many informed users of this site who have a wealth of knowledge between them, but while you are waiting for replies could I suggest that you give BCC’s helpline a ring and have a chat with one of the staff here about your concerns for your sister and her treatment.
Calls to the helpline are free, lines open Mon to Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 2pm. 0808 800 6000
Hope this helps,
Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Dear Englishc
I am so sorry to hear about your sister. This desease is that much more frightening in someone so young…and I truly feel for you all.
I had a localised recurrence. They are usually near the scar line of lumpectomy or mastectomy…or as in my case at the same area as one of my tumours was in the skin and in the skin of the reconstruction scar.
Until a “secondary” is spotted on a scan your sister is not Stage 4: The problem with any recurrence is that it suggests that invasive cancer cells were left undetected and thus have had that additional time to move throughout the lymphs or blood to any part of her body. If they have moved then they may settle somewhere and “go to sleep” and not emerge for many years , but equally they can of course “wake up” quite soon. The good thing is that your sister’s recurrence is localised to the breast. The risk of spread is greater with a regional recurrence (ie. armpit, chest or neck nodes).
Sending your sister love, luck and praying her treatment works…
Nikki x