I had a lumpectomy and 17 lymphnodes removed in 2001. Six of the nodes were cancer. In 2004 I got lymphedema. In 2005 I had a mastectomy due to DCIS. In 2006 I had a complete historectomy. My cancer was her2 pos. strongly positive and I had chemo, radiation and I was in the clinical trial for herceptin and was given that for a year. I am curious to know if infiltrating ductal carcinoma that is estrogen sensitive is likely to come back since I have no overies.
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Q: does estrogen sensitive breast cancer usually come back if you have had a total historectomy?
Answers (2)
4/30/08 5:51am
Pam, although a totaly hysterectomy does remove your body's main source of estrogen, it's still produced in smaller amounts in other places in your body (adrenal glands, liver, etc.) So the hysterectomy will certainly be a HUGE help - but it doesn't mean you have the total green light, unfortunately. Best of luck - PJH
4/30/08 11:08am
Pam - I had a hystectomy and mastectomy in 2005, my cancer was er/pr +
After I went through chemo, my doctor put me on Femara, which is for post menopausal women with er/pr+ cancer. It helps to prevent that lil bit of estrogen your body produces WITHOUT ovaries from binding with abnormal cells (like cancer) and helps prevent it from growing.
You body will still have bits of estrogen, it does not cut off the production of it made by glands or stored in fat.
That said, it's probably best to see an oncologist and see what they recommend as there are many drugs on the market......tamoxifen, femara, arimidex to name a few, and each do different things!
but still, not all things can keep cancer at bay. 3 years from my original bout with cancer I am now faced with recurrent breast cancer because my body didn't respond to the meds I was taking. My estrogen fed into those cancer cells. luckily my plastic surgeon found it while I was going through reconstruction. Now I am faced with surgery to remove more of my chest wall, radiation, chemo and new meds.
Talk with your doctor and he will help you with a treatment plan.
Best of luck!
Angi
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