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Decide against aromatase inhibitors?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Aug 27 10:53am | Replies (124)Comment receiving replies
I had a chest wall recurrence following a mastectomy as well. Initially diagnosed stage 2 with 1 lymph node positive. Apparently if there is no lymph node invasion there is a 95% chance the cancer has been contained and there is no spread. My recurrence happened 2 weeks after surgery. With the spread into the chest wall my radiation oncologist said I was now stage 3B. I had max chemo and multiple surgeries to try to get it out with clear margins. My MO said that without the meds there was a 70% chance of stage 4. The AI reduces it to 35%, the CDK4 inhibitor takes off another 7% and the zoldronic acid 3%. These drugs are amazing - now 25% recurrence instead of 70% - but only if they are combined with a successful surgery. And radiation also helps.
Replies to "I had a chest wall recurrence following a mastectomy as well. Initially diagnosed stage 2 with..."
It sounds like they didn't get everything on your initial surgery. Since your initial diagnosis was stage 2 they would have tested all your tissue post mastectomy right and that takes about a week or 2 for results. So is it that your staging changed when they examined your tissue . I can't imagine a reoccurrence that fast. More like unclear margins from initial surgery from the sound of it that they needed to go back in to clear but I'm no expert
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How disheartening to have a recurrence just two weeks after your mastectomy! I feel for you! Sounds like you’re on a comprehensive treatment plan which is great!
My cousin had stage IV BC at initial diagnosis 15 years ago, single mastectomy, chemo, radiation, long term oral meds and is still cancer free and doing great! Prayers that you’ll do just as well. ❤️