Hi, Has anyone had a chest wall tumour treated with chemo / surgery?
Initially diagnosed 2005, WLE,grade 3 tumour,3.5 cms, Her2+,weakly ER+,no lymph node involvement. Chemotherapy Epirubicin and CMF. Followed by radiotherapy then herceptin for 12 months.
Arimidex for 4.5yrs.
Felt an area on edge of scar tissue, mentioned to my oncologist, ultrasound and biopsies confirmed recurrence of cancer. Same grade and Her2 status but now ER-.Stopped Arimidex.
Good news that it has not spread to my organs but oncologist has warned me that they may not be able to operate.They hope to shrink the tumour with chemo to then operate.
To start Taxotere and to have Herceptin until it no longer appears to be working.
Had a bone scan today, awaiting an MRI to form a baseline prior to chemo.
There does not seem to be a great deal of info on chest wall tumours and all seems quite pessimistic. I’d love to hear from anyone who has had a similar experience.
Many thanks.
Littlemissactive
I’m sorry but I have no personal experience of this, but thought I would “bump” your post back up to page 1, so that hopefully someone else will be along soon to help you.
Thank you both. I’m guessing it isn’t terribly common. Finding it hard to get my head around the fact that they may not be able to remove it.
Be glad when the chemo starts. Previously I had surgery within 10 days of being diagnosed, lump removed, job done so to speak. This time endless scans and due to the numerous bank holidays my pre assessment isn’t until mid June.
Fingers crossed someone is willing to share their experience with me.x
No experience of chest wall tumours but had a regional recurrence in 08 four years after dx. I think the fact that they’re talking about surgery sounds positive - I believe that it is common practice now with primaries too to use chemo to shrink the tumour first. I guess they can’t say they definately will be able to - but hopefully the chemo will do its job. I do know someone who had chemo first, and it was very successful. Taxotere is I think seen to be the best chemo for recurrences. I had 6 tax for the recurrence, unlike the primary when i had 6 FEC in 04.
Hi Moser, many thanks for your post and thoughts. I’ve not been on the sites for many years and do find them so useful as books and the medical profession do not portray it the same as someone having gone through the cancer journey.
How did you find the taxotere? I know it’s meant to be tough.Are you well at the moment?
The taxotere was not fantastic but quite do-able. In fact i found it better than FEC in some ways - no nausea/vomiting. Main se’s for me were back pain (I learned to take painkillers as soon as I suspected it was about to start), + the usual mouth ulcers, bad taste ,tiredness etc - but I managed to keep working at least some of the time. I think it left me more likely to be tired, and quite run down but now (2.5 years on) I feel ok (touch wood, as always!) You say you are also going to be taking Herceptin - I think that it works extremely effectively with taxotere. love, Mo x