What happens second time around?

First of all, let's hope the blood levels rising is due to something else - it can be, you know. And MRIs are very tricky - they have a high degree of false-positives. What I'm saying is, it's good to be prepared, but don't assume you have cancer, because it could be a convergence of other factors.

If you do - if you had a lumpectomy and radiation last time, you won't have radiation again (if it's on the same side), you'd have a mastectomy. And depending on what chemo you had last time, you'll probably have a different one this time - maybe what they call "dose dense" chemo, which attacks cancer in a more aggressive way. Some types of chemo you can't have again, due to chance of heart damage; ask your doctor if you're at the limit for certain drugs, due to potential heart problems.

If tamoxifen and an aromatase inhibitor didn't work, PERHAPS they could try raloxifene, which I believe is like tamoxifen but supposedly better in some ways. You could ask about that. Also ask if you're HER2-neu receptive, in which case you could take Herceptin or Tykerb.

For other questions - have you tried Googling "breast cancer recurrence"? I'd think a lot would come up with that term.

Good luck to you - I hope it's NOT a recorrence. But if it is, stay connected here -we'll try to help. PJ Hamel

Let me start by saying that everyone's cancer AND their treatment is different.

I just had a recurrence in the same breast after 3 years.  My plastic surgeon found it while performing breast reconstruction on me.  It is beleived that one little cell was left behind after the mastectomy I had in 05 and Femara failed to work properly for me even though I also had a hysterectomy in 05.  Also I should state the I was only 31 the first time and that cancer has never run in my family - so I was told both times that me even having cancer was something very rare.  But I think cancer is everywhere and everyone now has a risk of getting it. 

Anyway, my recurrence was in my chest muscle.  I had what little muscle I had left (after the mod. radical mastectomy) removed where the tumor was.  I had not gotten radiation my first time around, but I did do 4 doses of A&C chemo.  So this time I JUST finished (today) 31 sessions of radiation.  Once my burn heals I will start chemo again, but this time it will be a taxol based combo - since you cannot recieve the same kinds.  We have yet to discuss what meds I will take after chemo (cause I haven't gotten to that part yet.)

But since everyone's cancer is different, their treatment is as well.  Your oncologist will be the best person to discuss this with once you actually know for sure.  It's really hard for us to say as we are not medical professionals, and you did not elaborate as to what treatment or stage was the first time around.

In any case, I wish you the best of luck.  I hope that everything works out for you!

Angi