Navelbine, or vinorelbine, is a chemotherapy that has been found to have good activity in treating metastatic breast cancer. It has been studied on its own and in combination with other chemotherapy medications. It also has been studied in combination with herceptin for treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
The treatment is relatively well tolerated. The most serious side effect is neutropenia (decrease of white blood cells) that can leave one more susceptible to infection.
A recurrence is the re-emergence of the same cancer at the same site, whereas a metastatic cancer is the spread of the cancer via blood, lymph or direct contact to other organs of a patients body. There are other differences as well on the basis of the danger and the treatment levels for the two.
Let us know if you have any more queries.
Good luck once again.
If you do have cancer, there are still a lot of chemotherapy options for you even if you have heart disease. One of the drugs frequently used for breast cancer - Doxorubicin - can aggravate an existing heart problem, but this drug can be replaced by similar drugs (e.g. Epirubicin) with less adverse effects on the heart. Another option would be to use classes of drugs which are entirely different from Doxorubicin and which are relatively safe for the heart.
Even though the path report says: ' metastatic disease in axillary tct, extranodal.' that does not mean that your cancer has progressed to stage 4, or metastatic cancer. It said the same in my surgery report, and the word 'metastatic; was also used. my cancer was a 3C.
My mother just got his breast removed. We have just received the surgical pathology report. It says:
Diagnosis: Left breast:
1. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma grade II on a scale of I to III according to modified Bloom and Richardson grading system.
2. Size of lesion: 3.5 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm.
3. Lesion is 0.2 cm from deep margin.
4. A small focus of lymphatic invasion is present which is 0.1 cm from deep margin.
5. Nipple and areola: Tumour free.
6.
There is really no point in scanning every inch of your body for metastatic cancer, because absolutely no test will pick up micro, or very small, cancer cells. So, the chemo is both curative and preventative.
just because your cancer has spread to your lymph nodes that does not mean you have metastatic, or stage 4 cancer.
like yours, my cancer was also described as metastatic because of the lymph node involvement.
Stage 3 & 4 Forum (which you can click on under the "Related Communities" heading to the right of these posts, may allow you to connect with others in your stage.
Also, a doctor's reply to a post by Birdies, "Triple Negative Treatment Options," dated 1/3/08, in the Breast Cancer Expert forum, discussed TNBC.
Best wishes...
I have heard though that although metastatic breast cancer cannot be cured that it can be treated and you can live a long life with it.
It is given to postmenopausal women with hormone responsive breast cancer. It can be given in the adjuvant or metastatic setting.
Take care.
You're right - ovarian cancer does not get the recognition it needs. It's the cancer that "whispers." The symptoms are generally vague and doctors may write them off as stress or bowel problems. Too often the symptoms are ignored until it's too late.
The women on this forum have been fighting for public recognition of this disease, to raise awareness. You'll see pink ribbons and pink yogurt tops all over the place but you won't see teal any where.
Dear, it is actually called Metastatic breast cancer as it has metastasized to other areas of the body. This is not a good thing, and does require surgery, but there is no rush that two or three days to catch your breath wouldn't matter.
In other words when I asked what grade my type of cancer would be considered he stated I just told you it was metastatic. Ok and that means what? From what I've been reading it could still be II,III, or IV right? Path report from sample of left breast mass (3.2cm poorly differentiated invasive ductal carcinoma), left axillary lymph node (metastatic carcinoma in one of three lymph nodes) and left breast sentinel node (no tumor seen).
m thinking that maybe the lung lesion signifies metastatic spread from a primary breast cancer (of course, this is just my theory based on what you posted). If this is the case, then a wedge resection/ lobectomy is unnecessary, since the metastatic lung lesion would respond to chemotherapy given for the breast cancer.
As for your questions, I'm going to try answering them per item:
1.
My sister was diagnosed about a year ago with metastatic stage 4 breast cancer that had spread to her spine. This was the very first diagnosis. Originally they said that it was inoperable but they had her on Femera(?) for the bone cancer and hormone therapy for the breast cancer. Eventually the breast cancer was reduced and she had a lumpsectomy and they removed cancerous lymph nodes.
You should see a surgeon who is experienced with cancer. The lump isn't necessarily cancer, but there are all sorts of cancer possibilities. For example, this could be Hodgkins Disease or a metastatic deposit from a primary tumor somewhere else in the body such as the lung. Don't forget that males can have breast cancer too. Have there been any changes in your left nipple? If so, breast cancer should certainly be ruled out.
Dear lynn25, The pathology report shows basically that cancer was removed from the breast. There was also a cancer found in one of the lymph nodes tested. The oncologist will use this information to help to determine what will be the next course of action within the context of your individual situation.
My Mother has metastatic breast cancer. Her recurrence was found 11 years after her lumpectomy. She has been on one type of chemo or another for the past 2 years. Even though her pathology showed a negative hormone receptor her oncologist is saying that they are now finding arimidex to slow the growth of tumors in some patients that had a long time from initial breast cancer treatment to a recurrence. Has anyone else heard of this?
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