Triple Negative Breast Cancer

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I was diagnosed with TNBC stage 3 acting as stage 4 in August of 2023. I completed 16 treatments and then a double mastectomy. I have been worried because I started having pain in my upper abdomen and my left side and back about 8 months ago. It sometimes gets so severe that I have had to go to the er. CT shows nothing. I have had a bone scan and nothing. The last ct I had showed that I had a splenule on my spleen which is supposed to be an extra tissue or extra spleen and is supposed to be something that is benign, and they say is from birth. My concern is I am 52 years old and have had many many scans and that has never been mentioned. Given that TNBC does not appear like normal cancer in cells, I am worried it could be something else but my oncologist isn't concerned at all. The radiologist read it as a splenule and that's what it is even though I had a ct a week before in the er and it wasn't noted there or on any ct I have ever had. Has anyone ever had any experience with anything similar to this? This scan was yesterday. Thank you. 

  • Hello GrammyMel,

    The fear of secondary cancer, let alone being diagnosed with secondary cancer can be really overwhelming and very frightening. For me, it is always at the back of my mind. Your oncologists are most probably right and you don't have to worry too much about the new findings, but if I were you, I would ask for additional tests to be performed if possible, just to rule out anything sinister going on and for your own peace of mind. Don't be shy and ask and insist. I know from personal experience that not knowing with certainty is a terrible thing and it affects your life in a way most people unaffected by cancer cannot understand. Stay positive, later cancer stage is no longer a death sentence - far from that! - people live for decades and have a fairly normal life, be optimistic! A big hug,

    Lana xx

  • Thank you so much. I'm seeing a new dr tomorrow and hopefully he will order an endoscopic ultrasound. I'll update. I'm just so afraid they are missing it because I am BRCA2 positive. 

  • Yes, I read that endoscopic ultrasound is a very reliable test, but since I am not an expert, I didn't mention it. Like I said, don't be shy and insist on having the test and fingers crossed! Best of luck!

    Lana xx