Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 12/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Briefly, I am 40 and my pathology sheet reads: DIAGNOSIS
Left breast, previous mastectomy site, lateral aspect:
-Infiltrating ductal carcinoma, nuclear grade 3/3
-Tumour necrosis is present.
-No microcalcifications are identified. There is still a bone scan scheduled to deal with some severe pain in the left chest wall.  My 'NEED TO KNOW' is what kind of expectancy do I have when I forego all further treatment.  Simply put, a lot consideration  has been made and in my 'social' situation to save my daughter,  this is the decision I've made.  This decision will not be changed, I'd just like to know my preparation time.  Thanks for your time.  Sharon Donnelly

ANSWER: Well the decision is yours though it is not one I would recommend, but it is your sickness, health, life, body and future so indeed it is proper that the decision is yours too. Does this mean that your cancer has come back locally close to where it originally was? I do need that clarification to be able to answer at all.

I have some computer problems so unfortunately my reply is delayed.

You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes Dr. the cancer has a recurrence at the exact same place as previously.  At the time of of the first mastectomy, I lost all of of the lymphnodes as well.  I hope this helps and with the the other questions as well.
Sharon

Answer
Well, it is unfortunately impossible to predict survival times with any accuracy. Both patients and cancers are individuals not identical copies/clones. However a reasonable educated guess - in a situation without ANY further treatment - would be something between a number of months to a couple of years or so. But that time - especially its later part - will be rather nasty in this situation. So if I were in your situation I would DEFINITELY ask for local radiation therapy (probably electron beams) to the surgical area and the chest wall. If it has spread to your ribs radiation to those lesions too can decrease your pain. (I had 2 months of radiation therapy in the early spring this year for a prostate cancer). But of course the decision is yours!

I have some computer problems so unfortunately my reply is delayed.

You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128