My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer just over a year ago. It had already spread to a number (they didn’t specify how many) of lymph nodes and was rather large so she had chemo, lumpectomy (clear margins) , SNB (4 nodes post chemo) and radiotherapy to breast. These 4 nodes were found to be clear post chemo so they were satisfied that all would be clear based on this. Finished all her treatment in June I think. After the surgery she told the oncologist that she could feel a node under her armpit. He felt it and referred her to breast surgeon. He examined it (just physically) and said it would just be a reactive node to the surgery, that he’s not chasing lymph nodes and that she shouldn’t touch it. She noticed just over a week ago that it had increased in size. Saw a new breast surgeon today (previous one was a locum) and had an ultrasound and biopsy. From the ultrasound alone she has been told it is the cancer. It was suggested that she should’ve had ultrasound when she first noticed it. It seems that the cancer had not been cleared from the nodes, despite the first 4 being clear following chemo and it’s back already. She has also been on anastrozole (?sp).
she is awaiting a CT and bone scan. If clear them she was told that she may be offered chemo again (different combination).
has anyone had a local recurrence and had chemo again? I was expecting surgery and radiotherapy to axilla to be only option.
we are both devastated that she is in this position again so soon after initial diagnosis.
xxx
Hi Daisy
I’m sorry to hear of your mum’s recurrence. I can understand how frustrated and disappointed you must be after it wasn’t followed up when she first felt the lymph node, and also how devastated you are that it’s come back.
I had chemo following my recurrence. With my primary I had FEC-T chemo, which I found hard. Initially, I had surgery for my recurrence, but I’d already had all my lymph nodes removed on that side during the primary surgery so they just scraped more off my chest wall. I was then offered radiotherapy but to a different area (I’d already had it to my axilla following my primary treatment and so couldn’t have it in that region again). I then fought for chemotherapy (had to change hospitals though) because mine was very aggressive and spreading quickly and the radiotherapy I was offered wouldn’t have stopped what was already growing.
Had I been given a choice I would have opted straight away for the chemo option, but that’s just my opinon and, as mentioned, my situation is rather different to your mum’s. I’ve been told that FEC-T is quite a harsh chemo but there are other chemo’s which are much kinder.
I wish you both the best of luck with everything and hope that the treatment your mum now receives will fettle it for good.
X
Hi Daisy1975,
Along with the support you have found here if you feel like you need to talk our support line are always on hand.
You can contact the support liners at 0808 800 6000 who will be able to talk to you about what you and your mum is experiencing and offer a friendly ear.
Best wishes,
Lizzy
Digital Community Assistant