Posted February 7, 2010 By bailey
Hi, I was just wondering if it is common to have the cancer spread even after having chemo, double mastectomy and radiation? Do the doctors do routine scans or MRIs after treatment to catch this before it has gone to too many other places?
thanks
Posted March 12, 2010 By gwencm
Hi Bailey,
In BC the Mammography clinic automatically refers for repeat mamogram and ultrasound. Then the rountine is for GP to refer for lung xrays and bone scans. That happened very quickly for me. Not sure what they do in other provinces.
Warm regards,
Gwen
Posted December 7, 2011 By C.hanna01
I don't think it is common. I believe the most important factor is the type if breast cancer.
I have triple negative, and it did come back - once almost 5 years after treatment with lumpectomy, FEC over 6 cycles, radiation and brachytherapy.
The second time, it came back (actually grew and spread) after radical masectomy, 6 cycles of DC and a second round of radiation to the chest. That was all within one year.
This year, I was diagnosed with metastatic cancer in my hips and neck, as well as more lymph nodes (didn't know I could have any more!). A few months later it was in my brain and right arm.
Not the best outcome or prognosis, but I am still here and having good days. Everyone is a treasure to spend with my 3 year old daughter and my husband.
Triple negative tends to have a higher recurrence with bone and brain being common sites. I'm on Xeloda, Avastin, Clodronate and already know my lifespan has been stretched.
Upshot though - try not to look for it, but if you have pain, nausea, dizziness, fatigue you can't explain. And it gets worse, not better, go in to your oncologist. We couldn't have stopped my recurrence, and treating triple neg recurrence is hard because it is so mutable. But my Doctors have investigated everything I've brought to them, and I wouldn't be here now without their help.
Try to find some peace, keep aware but not overly vigilant, follow-up on any concerns, and good luck!
