Question 1

will breast cancer come back after it has been treated?

Accepted Answer

Variable.: Recurrence may occur. Here is a good article that covers the basics:  http://www.Cancer.Org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-risk-factors.

Question 2

does the type of surgery affect whether breast cancer can come back?

Accepted Answer

MustDefine come back: Breast cancer may "come back" in 1 of 3 ways: 1-metastatic disease (distant cancer) 2-a new2nd breast cancer 3-local recurrence w/in the same breast.  1 and 2 are unaffected by type of surgery (unless a bilateral mastectomy is done); local recurrence may be as high as 5-7% following lump-x plus radiation rx versus 1-2% after mastectomy.

Question 3

what are the chances that my breast cancer can come back? ( i went into remission 5 years ago)?

Accepted Answer

Small: The chance of recurrence depends a lot on the risk factors of your particular case.  It is possible to have a recurrence but most women won't after being disease free 5 yrs.

Question 4

how long can exemestane work for stage 4 breast cancer? i've been on it 6 months and i have no more active cancer. i'm terrified it will come back.

Accepted Answer

Be hopeful!: Exemestane is a good drug. It can keep working for long periods of time. So you do not need to worry about how long it will work...Sometime sit can work for many years especially if you have no visible cancer now...Which means  your cancer is in remission...Such patients generally do very well on hormonal therapies. Good luck.

Question 5

stage 3c breast cancer in right breast remove 2y later second time breast cancer in left breast removed . 4y later cancer free but its been 7y since diagnoses. can cancer come back for a 3rd time?     afraid?

Accepted Answer

GET REASSURANCE: Cancer cure is measured by time--usually, if five years pass, one is not likely (without guarantee, of course) to get a recurrence.
Medical science has not determined the cause of breast malignancy, except that cigarette smoking increases your risk and one form is greatly enhanced genetically.  A trusted doctor, perhaps the doctor who performed your mastectomy, should examine your (see addition)

Question 6

can breast cancer come back after surgery , chemotherapy and radiation, after 2 month?

Accepted Answer

It's possible: After surgery and radiation it is common to be left with a mass at the site, sometimes scar tissue, sometimes fluid-filled area (seroma).  However it is important for your oncologist to do an exam to evauate if there is cause for concern.  Whatever signs/symptoms you may have should be addressed by your medical oncologist in a timely manner.  Good luck! I hope all turns out well!

Question 7

why does my breast cancer come back? i have had radiation, chemo 2x and surgeries. i have been on several aromase inhibitors a nd had a tram flap

Accepted Answer

Cancer Recurrence: Read this first: http://www.Breastcancer.Org/symptoms/types/recur_metast. Then this: http://www.Mayoclinic.Com/health/recurrent-breast-cancer/ds01078/dsection=symptoms. Despite the recurrence, there are still options. Despite your chemo- radiotherapy, some cancer cells remained in your system.  Your oncologist will be able to counsel, you on clinical trials that are available for recurrent tumor.

Question 8

mammo in march showed area of interest right breast.   had an ultrasound that the radiologist said was" probably" a cyst and said had no suspicious features.  she told me to come back in 6 months for a follow up .  very nervous about breast cancer.

43f

Accepted Answer

Breast cyst: Although any abnormality on a mammo is frightening, a lack of suspicious features on ultrasound is very helpful.  If you don't have any palpable abnormality or high family risk for early breast cancer,  a six month recheck is very appropriate.

Question 9

hi there.
am a cancer patient ,am on breast cancer chemo from march. i last had my period in 2018 ,my period come back tuesday ,the flow is heavy and its come with clots ,should i be worried ?

Accepted Answer

Heavy period ?: Stopping one's period since 2018 may be due to stress (emotional, job or school, etc)  or to polycystic ovarian syndrome, which allows constant estrogen stimulation of the uterine lining, thickening it. Taking chemo for breast ca can stop ovarian function, thereby stopping estrogen, and heavy withdrawal bleeding can occur. See your gyn for a possible D&amp;C .

Question 10

hello, my mum lost her sense of smell due to chemo/radiation for triple neg breast cancer, will it ever come back? its been almost a year since she has finished chemo and 9 months since she finished radiation therapy. she is 54 years old. thank you

Accepted Answer

Possible: If it is going to come back, we will know in the next 6-12 months.  Nerves heal slowly, and when they heal, it can take a long time.    Since this was a problem for a long time, it may not come back at this point.  It is worth being patient.

Are we certain it is due to the treatments?  Sometimes a person may lose their sense of smell for other reasons.

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Doctor answers about:

Does breast cancer always come back

A member asked:

Will breast cancer come back after it has been treated?

A member asked:

Does the type of surgery affect whether breast cancer can come back?

A member asked:

What are the chances that my breast cancer can come back? ( i went into remission 5 years ago)?

A member asked:

How long can exemestane work for stage 4 breast cancer? i've been on it 6 months and i have no more active cancer. i'm terrified it will come back.

A member asked:

Stage 3c breast cancer in right breast remove 2y later second time breast cancer in left breast removed . 4y later cancer free but its been 7y since diagnoses. can cancer come back for a 3rd time? afraid?

A member asked:

Can breast cancer come back after surgery , chemotherapy and radiation, after 2 month?

A member asked:

Why does my breast cancer come back? i have had radiation, chemo 2x and surgeries. i have been on several aromase inhibitors a nd had a tram flap

A member asked:

Mammo in march showed area of interest right breast. had an ultrasound that the radiologist said was" probably" a cyst and said had no suspicious features. she told me to come back in 6 months for a follow up . very nervous about breast cancer. 43f

A member asked:

Hi there. am a cancer patient ,am on breast cancer chemo from march. i last had my period in 2018 ,my period come back tuesday ,the flow is heavy and its come with clots ,should i be worried ?

A member asked:

Hello, my mum lost her sense of smell due to chemo/radiation for triple neg breast cancer, will it ever come back? its been almost a year since she has finished chemo and 9 months since she finished radiation therapy. she is 54 years old. thank you

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