Residual Cancer after Chemotherapy

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Hello

I am interested in how evidence of residual cancer after lumpectomy, Chemotherapy and then mastectomy affects long term prognosis.

I had 14/ 24 nodes affected but fully removed in March

Lumpectomy no clear margins ~ March

4 x EC dense Dose

4x Paxitaxel Dense Dose

Mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction July.

Pathology showed 1.7mm cancer still present.

Does the evidence of residual cancer ( or cells that were unresponsive to Chemo) have a direct impact on prognosis.

I have Lobular cancer so I appreciate it doesn't respond well to Chemo but I feel that because evidence of active cancer after evasive treatment the likelihood of reoccurrence is bit higher.

I appreciate you professional opinion.

Thanks

Barbara G- Macmillan over 1 year ago

Hi Fly Away,

Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community, I hope you find it supportive. My name is Barbara and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

Thank you for telling me about your lobular breast cancer diagnosis and treatment that you have had. I hope you have managed ok with your treatment.

At the Macmillan Support Line, we don’t have access to your NHS records, so it is difficult for us to be able to give specific advice regarding your cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

The presence of residual cancer after a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and mastectomy can have implications for long-term prognosis but the specific impact will depend on various factors. These factors can include the size and type of residual cancer (smaller residual tumours may have a different impact on prognosis compared to larger ones), the effectiveness of chemotherapy and/or other treatments, the lymph node involvement and hormone receptor status. Other important factors to be taken into consideration include age, overall health, other medical conditions, your ability to tolerate treatment and regular follow up and monitoring after treatment. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment can also influence prognosis. The collaboration among different medical specialists such as surgeons, oncologists, radiographers etc can optimise treatment strategies.

Each case is unique and individual responses to treatment can vary. We would encourage you to have an open and detailed discussion with your consultant and/or cancer nurse specialist (CNS) to be able to understand your specific situation and prognosis.

It can be helpful to write a list of questions to ask your consultant and health care team so that you know what you want to ask and how to ask it.

I hope this information is of some help.

Best wishes,

Barbara G, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist.

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

Ref: BG/SA

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Residual Cancer after Chemotherapy