Hi all. I have just been diagnosed with secondaries after my original cancer was back in 2018. I had a full lymph node clearance at that time, or so I was told but it turns out they missed some and that is where I found a lump again. Scans show as well as being there it is also in my new reconstructed breast and there is spread to the T12 on my spine. Thankfully there is a plan, I go in for surgery to remove the original lump and rest of my lymph nodes on Jan 2nd and I know i need another surgery to remove the bit in my boob. However because the spinal spread is going to be dealt with by neurosurgeons at a different hospital all I know is that its T12 and that they have looked at my pet scan and said they can remove it all with surgery. The team dealing with my breast side of things say thats all they can say as they don't deal with it and that we are going to deal with their side of things first. The bit on my spine is the bit worrying me the most and i feel a bit like i'm stuck not knowing what might happen. Has anyone else had any experience with spread to the T12/spine?
Hi AliceMia Wow it sounds as though you’ve really been through it! Sorry to hear about your recurrence.
I have secondary breast cancer in my T12 but it’s also in my T11, L3 and L4 so there’s no talk of surgery for me at the moment. My treatment is more systemic hormonal treatments and targeted anti cancer drugs which aim to control any growth and further spread rather than remove any cancer.
I have read that where metastatic spread is limited to less than 5 areas though that surgery is sometimes considered. It’s often considered a sub group of stage 4 cancer and termed ogliometastatic. It might be worth asking your breast care nurse or your oncologist?
Thanks CumbrianLass - sorry to hear you are dealing with spread elsewhere....I hope you've managed to have a lovely festive season. I have never heard of that term before - I've winged a message over to my macmillan nurse to ask - they have not even officially told me what grade I am but from reading i've just assumed its 4 as its metastatic. Thank you for coming back to me :)
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