Hi lots of help needed im afraid we don’t know much at all its just hit us all at once. My wife was diagnosed with BC in November the lump is over 4cm is this big? She is having Chemo FEC has had 2 0f 6 and has had 5 nodes removed at start of Dec a lumpoptomy is to follow. The consultant says that further treatment to the nodes will be undertaken after that. Today we found out that the bone scan is suspicious we have to wait 3 weeks to find out what action will be taken after the consultant has met with the radiographer. The big thing we need to know is that as the nodes are affected is this secondary or still primary? We do however know that if its in the bone that it is secondary. How do we stage it?
Sorry to be a pain but iam so scared for her she is my best pal.
I am sorry to read that you have this worry, please feel free to call our helpline for further support and information on 0808 800 6000, the line is open in the morning from 9am, this link will take you to the helpline opening times over the next week:
Affected nodes does not mean secondary cancer. Under 2 cm is considered small, but some women on here have had up to 9cm before, possibly more. The grade of the tumour is important too. Grade 1 cells are close to normal and grade 3 is v different, with 2 in the middle. Stage depends on size, grade and node involvement. There are other factors too like whether it is oestrogen receptive or her2 positive. Hope the bone scan is clear.
if it does show in the bones then it would be classed as stage 4 which is secondary cancer… if its in the nodes but no further it will depend if its just nodes under the arm and what they look like whether its a stage 2 or a stage 3.
only stage 4 is considered to be secondary cancer.
even with stage 4 breast cancer many women have a good standard of living for a while after diagnosis… i have a friend who has secondary bone cancer for nearly 12 years and although she is frequently on chemo she is doing very well.
Hi Tam
I’m sorry to hear you and your wife have got the worry of waiting for a bone scan result to find out if her BC has spread - I really hope that it hasn’t. Is there any way you can find out sooner as the waiting part is so difficult? I think you have had some good answers on here about the staging, grade etc of her BC but I just wanted to add that, if it has spread to her bones she will be likely to stay on FEC but have a bone strengthening treatment as well. Also that there are many ladies who find out they have secondary BC at the same time as their primary diagnosis, it doesn’t mean that it has occurred later or that the chemo isn’t doing it’s job. I was diagnosed nearly 3 years ago with secondary BC to the bones and, other than feeling rough when I had FEC, have carried on pretty much the same as usual so it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the world - which is what I felt like when I had my diagnosis. Having said that I wish you both good luck and fingers crossed that the scan is clear.
Nicky
I am so sorry that you have had to join us, and hope that the bone scan won’t be as bad as you fear. I was diagnosed with primary and early secondary (bone) cancer just over a year ago. I think it would be worth asking your oncologist whether your wife’s chemo regime should be changed after the 3rd FEC. I think it is more usual to have 3 FEC followed by 3 Tax if there is any spread to the nodes. The Taxanes are third generation chemo(FEC is second)and the gold standard for breast cancer that has spread to the lymph glands and beyond.
I would also recommend you read the thread on Oligometastatic breast cancer - very useful information about a new approach to treating early metastatic breast cancer.