You are here:

Breast Cancer/recurrence of breast cancer

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/30/2007


Question
I had IDC (HER2+)..early Stage I but Grade 3+ inOct 2005.  I received a lumpectomy w/ four rounds of chemo (A/C) followed by 35 radiation treatments.  Recently I had bleeding from the nipple of the same breast (ductal papilloma).  When that was removed THEY found DCIS in the surrounding tissue. I have now been told I have multicentric breast cancer.  Is this a recurrence of the same cancer or a new primary?  I am to have a skin sparing mastectomy w/ reconstruction.  Should I push for a bilateral mastectomy?  I am 56.  What is my long term survivability..statistically? Thankyou.

Answer
These are probably new cancers in the same breast. Your risk of breast cancer in your other breast is probably high too. If I were in your shoes I would press for a bilateral mastectomy (of both your breasts). That can be done with reconstruction. More radiation & chemo MAY be needed (not certain). If all these cancers turn out to be cancers in situ (very early ones), your prognosis should not be affected. I would say that you have around 60% chance of being cured BUT statistics is not well suited for a single case like this.

Breast Cancer

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

Education/Credentials
I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.