Postby RobSilvansson » Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:34 am
Hi there. Just an update: after the surgery (axillary lymph node dissection), a rougher recovery than expected (because of an infection) and further testing (since the beginning she had two mammographs, three ultrasounds, one mri, one CT scan and one PET scan...) the diagnosis of occult breast carcinoma is confirmed. Four armpit nodes were affected but there's no sign of cancer in the breast or anywhere else in her body. Now she will need 8 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy (lower dosage because of her age), one year of targeted therapy (herceptin) because of the positive her2 status, and I think at least five years of anti-hormonal therapy. The breast will be treated with radiotherapy (a less invasive and more effective alternative to mastectomy in these rare cases). Tomorrow she will have her PICC implanted. Of course we are tired and scared, but knowing that it is still curable is something to be grateful for.
Mum dx 05/14 stage IIa colon cancer (screen detected) at age 68
06/14 splenic flexure colectomy
No chemo needed (low risk); supplements (curcumin, polydatin, lactoferrin, etc.)
NED at follow-ups
02/17 lump in armpit biopsy
03/17 dx occult breast cancer (er+, pr+, her2+)
05/17 surgery (axillary lymph node dissection: four nodes affected)