Anyone had cancer return while taking hormone therapy meds?

@triciaot
Thank you!! Those are great questions that I will definitely ask.
I just hope they see something! I have read that an MRI should be able to pick up scar tissue but I guess I don’t know that for sure.
It’s so strange to clearly feel something but not be able to see it!

@mchler73
I’ve attached my MRIs of the scar they were seeing on my left breast. This was scar from the breast reduction. A couple of wedges of tissue were removed, the nipple was moved up, and all was put back together. I believe the scar is along the tissue that had the vein supplying blood to the nipple. I did not have cancer in this breast.

Check the dates on the scan. Two from October 2023 with the concerning area circled, one from April 2024. The radiologist said they were no longer concerned about the scar - but I don’t know specifically why. You’d think I’d ask, right?!! I guess I was so relieved to hear it was nothing.
I can’t see what they’re comparing on the MRI, maybe there was no new growth so it was considered stable.

I’m not sure if these images will be at all helpful to you. But figured it couldn’t hurt to post them.

If the cancer cells use estrogen for fuel then it doesn’t matter which aromatase inhibitors that we take since they all inhibit production of estrogen. I saw this article a way back explaining why cancer cells develop resistance to AI. The article was published in 2017. I wonder if it’s still valid.
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/177133/breast-cancer-drugs-stop-working-when/.
@anjalima please come back and share your onco’s opinion on this. I pray that the new drug is working better for you. Thank you
@lifegetting thank you for sharing your finding.
I pray that we all get through this well.

Unfortunately yes. I had a double mastectomy in 2012 after having chemo. Was put on Tamoxifen 7.5 years. After I reached menopause my Oncologist switched me to Anastrozole and was on it for 6 months. I had back pain, discovered a painful lump in my clavicle shoulder area. PET scan later discovered breast cancer was found in my sternum, liver, bones, spine, abdomen and lymph nodes. A liver biopsy confirmed stage 4 ER+ Her2+ breast cancer had returned and spread in 2022. Did 6 Taxotere, Herceptin & Perjeta chemo infusions in 2022. Had slight progression and was switched to Enhertu Feb 2023. Completed 7 infusions but heart function declined and Enhertu was stopped. Scans showed stable from late 2023 and as recent as Feb 2024. I had a seizure in March 2024 and MRI showed I now have Mets to the brain and will be doing radiation to the brain next week.

@myoga
I have actually been thinking about a mastectomy but no one in my family has ever had BC and my genetic testing came back negative, so idk if a mastectomy would even be recommended. Especially if they don’t find anything on the MRI.
And to make matters worse, my oncologist, who I trusted completely, just moved to another state so now I have to find someone new.
Even though the doctor who did the ultrasound could feel the lump, she was so quick to say, “good news, it’s benign” because she couldn’t see it on the screen and she “didn’t see anything concerning.” She didn’t even suggest getting an MRI. I told my Rad Onc about the situation and asked if she would order one.
I have learned to listen to my gut and advocate for myself but I feel sometimes things get missed and then people don’t find out it’s something serious until it’s too late.

@anjalima
Hello,
I can’t get in for my MRI until August 30th. I’m nervous that since the ultrasound couldn’t see the palpable lump, what if the MRI shows nothing, as well, and they say it’s fine, even though we can clearly feel it.
It scares me because the only reason they found my rare invasive cancer was because I felt a lump. The initial needle biopsy came back as ADH, so they said I should have it removed. It ended up being “grade 2, extensive” DCIS and during the lumpectomy, the surgeon noticed an area that “looked strange” so she removed that also and that was what came back as the rare cancer. It hadn’t been seen on mammo or ultrasound.
I am hoping the MRI can tell 100% that it’s scar tissue or something benign but what if that doesn’t happen? What should I ask my next steps to be so that I feel confident nothing further is needed?

@myoga
I have actually been thinking about a mastectomy but no one in my family has ever had BC and my genetic testing came back negative, so idk if a mastectomy would even be recommended. Especially if they don’t find anything on the MRI.
And to make matters worse, my oncologist, who I trusted completely, just moved to another state so now I have to find someone new.
Even though the doctor who did the ultrasound could feel the lump, she was so quick to say, “good news, it’s benign” because she couldn’t see it on the screen and she “didn’t see anything concerning.” She didn’t even suggest getting an MRI. I told my Rad Onc about the situation and asked if she would order one.
I have learned to listen to my gut and advocate for myself but I feel sometimes things get missed and then people don’t find out it’s something serious until it’s too late.

Did you have radiation on the breast that you feel the new lump ?

I am very hopeful your MRI with contrast will help the radiologist with a diagnosis! MRI the gold std! Please keep us posted! Xoxo

Absolutely get that MRI and push for earlier date if possible.

I had a normal mammo AND normal ultrasound and physical hands on exam WITH A SYMPTOM!

Nope … normal. Two months late I insisted on MRI .. BOOM 💥 2 tumors, 3 &4 Cm ( not mm) .

SELF EXAM SELf ADVOCATE!

Be the informed squeaky wheel!