Diagnosed with TNBC Dec 25. Finished weekly chemo in June then had lumpectomy and 11 lymph nodes removed. No sign it was ever in lymph nodes. Continued with standalone immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) until 2 weeks ago when it finished. I also had 5 sessions of radiotherapy in October.
Was told I had a pathological complete response.
Had first year mammo which was clear in March then had an MRI. Was told all ok.
Breast nurse just rang to say they had an MDT this morning and radiologist had picked up "consolidation" in my lungs. She asked if I'd had a chest infection, which I haven't. I told her I'd been feeling quite breathless but had put this down to the Pembro. She said whilst they weren't concerned they would like me to have a CT scan asap.
I'm frightened to death it's either spread to my lungs or it's a new cancer. Anybody ever had this consolidation thing?
Hi Nells0161
I am sorry you have something concerning in your lungs. I have not heard the word consolidation used, but I did develop pneumonitis following Pembrolizumab. That also presented initially as breathlessness combined with low oxygen saturation. I contacted my acute oncology service because of the breathlessness and had various tests including a CT scan. The scan found what they described as ground glass opacities in my lungs. At the time the breathlessness started, I had already spent a couple of months on high dose steroids thanks to an an acute kidney injury also resulting from Pembro. The lung issue became apparent on one of the wean down steps on the steroids. I needed to go back up to a higher dose for a while, but it eventually resolved, as did the kidney issue. So it’s quite possible yours is treatment rather than cancer related. Let’s hope so.
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I have metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer, in remission
