metaplastic breast cancer

I am a 4 yr. breast cancer survior. My sister-in-law was diagnosised with metaplastic breast cancer in Jan 2008. I found this site tonight and there were discussions of women who have or have had the same. Her prognosis is not good and I see from the conversations that lots of women who are doing well have had Chemo and radition. I am trying to find out where some of you who are having success with this cancer are being treated. I have contacted one well known cancer center and they said they would look at her records and see if there was anything they could do to help but her oncologist said there was nothing that could be done. I am grasping at straws but I want to help her. I believe another set of eyes may help. She believes in her dr. but I see conversations where people are living and recovering from this and I want her to have a chance at help if something else can be done. If anyone will give me the name of  where they were treated for metaplastic breast cancer with good results I would be forever grateful.

 

On 3/31/2009 2004survivor wrote:

I am a 4 yr. breast cancer survior. My sister-in-law was diagnosised with metaplastic breast cancer in Jan 2008. I found this site tonight and there were discussions of women who have or have had the same. Her prognosis is not good and I see from the conversations that lots of women who are doing well have had Chemo and radition. I am trying to find out where some of you who are having success with this cancer are being treated. I have contacted one well known cancer center and they said they would look at her records and see if there was anything they could do to help but her oncologist said there was nothing that could be done. I am grasping at straws but I want to help her. I believe another set of eyes may help. She believes in her dr. but I see conversations where people are living and recovering from this and I want her to have a chance at help if something else can be done. If anyone will give me the name of  where they were treated for metaplastic breast cancer with good results I would be forever grateful.

Hi.  I am 51 years old. I was diagnosed with metaplastic breast cancer with 3 lymphnodes involved in October of 2008. When the MRI was done, I found out that I also had a different type of cancer in the other breast, and therefore opted for a double mastectomy.  I am being treated at Danbury Hospital, Praxair Cancer Center in Danbury CT.  I am going to complete my chemotherapy tomorrow and then begin radiation therapy. My oncologist will schedule me for CT scans every 3 months for 2 years just to be sure there is nothing else growing that shouldn't be there.  My dad passed of pancreatic cancer and my mom, still living, had a "garden variety" breast cancer as did her sister (my aunt).  They did not require chemo nor radiation.  I am scared of a recurrence, but I have to trust that all will be well.  Where do you live?

Diane

I am sorry to hear about your sister-in-law.  I had metaplastic carcinoma diagnosed a year ago.  Since then I have had 6 rounds of TAC chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy,and 33 radiation treatments. I have had a wonderful team of doctors at Watson Clinic in Lakeland, Florida.  At no time have they discouraged me or given me any reason to believe that my chances of recurrence are much greater than most forms of cancer.  However, I will say that I did not have any lymph nodes involved nor had my cancer metastacized anywhere else.  All of my recent check-ups have been positive and my doctors have gone so far as to say I'm currently cancer-free.  My lump was large (5cm) and the chemotherapy did reduce it considerably (to 1.8 cm) before my surgery.  I could have had a lumpectomy, but I chose to go ahead with the bilateral mastectomy anyway.  

Every case is different so it's hard to say what will work for your sister-in-law.  You said she was diagnosed over a year ago.  What type of treatments has she had so far?  Has the cancer metastasized  or spread to the lymph nodes?  

I wish for the best for both of you.  Please let me know if I can answer any other questions or be of further support for you.

 Chris

Chris thanks so much for responding. She was diagnosed in July 2007 and at first they said it was invasive ductle?? carcinoma. She had double a mastectomy in Aug 2007 and was going through chemo when she discovered a lump below her reconstruction in Jan 2008. They biopsed that lump and said it was metplastic. When they did a pet skan it was everywhere hip,ribs, lungs now liver and chest wall. I just do not understand how they missed it being metaplastic at the first. I guess there is so much I do not know about metaplastic cancer but in reading the message board many have had good results with this kind of cancer. I just want her to have any and all help that is available for her to live. MAybe I want to much. Thanks again for writing. Gayle Cooper

 

Diane thanks for responding. I live in Tifton GA  and mysister-in-law lives in Goose Creek SC. I just think if you are not getting better a second opion can not hurt. I an glad you are doing well she had chemo but never radiation. In reading the message board it seems like most of those with metaplastic cancer had radiation. I could be wrong and maybe those are just the ones who have posted messages. I wish you only the best. I am a 4 year survivor of lobular breast cancer and did not have to have chemo or radiation.

I wish your sister in law all the best.  I had my last chemo yesterday and will begin radiation next week.  I had metaplastic on one side and the lobular was discovered by chance at the same time during an MRI.  I do feel that all will be well.  Thank you for your message and God bless you all.

Diane