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Tuesday, February 10, 2009 Questions asks

Q: prognosis after mastectomy; IIIB

I would like to know the prognosis for a person who has had a total mastectomy after being diagonosed with IIIB breast cancer. (traveled to 2 lymph nodes & found on chest wall).  No chemo/radiation has been done as this is a recurrent breast cancer (in same breast) (previous cancer was 10+ years ago and removed via lumpectomy)

 

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Phyllis Johnson, Health Guide
2/10/09 5:09pm

I was also diagnosed at Stage IIIB.  The details of your prognosis depend on the ER and Her2neu status of the tumor as well as other factors that may be mentioned in your pathology report.  When I was diagnosed ten years ago, I was on the "wrong side" of every prognostic factor:  16 + lymph nodes, ER neg, Her2neu pos, premenopausal, etc.  You'll need to ask your doctor about your specific prognosis, but remember that it will only be a snapshot of people in a study at least five years ago, not a prediction of what will happen to you.  Is radiation or chemo planned?  Usually they are part of treatment for Stage IIIB cancer, even when it is a recurrence.  If you had chemo or radiation with your first cancer, you might have received the maximum of specific treatments, but there should be some new ones in your oncologist's bag of tricks.  I'm sure it is a terrible blow to have your cancer recur after ten years, but there is every reason to hope.

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By Questions— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 02/10/09