i have finished treatment for stages 3 breast cancer. how often should i be tested to ensure the cancer hasn't returned?

Question

I finished my treatment for breast cancer and had a bilateral mastectomy in february. I just found a lump on my rib cage on the same side as the cancer. Could it be cancer?

Answer 1

Care plan: The follow up plan for breast cancer is a good history and physical every 3-6 months for the first 2 years then every 6 months until 5 years then yearly. It is not recommended to do a lot of scans as survival is equivalent for patients we routinely scan versus those that we follow as recommend above. A mammogram is recommended on affected breast 6 months after radiation then yearly.

Answer 2

Follow up important: Talk to your oncologist. I tend to see patients every 3 months for physical and labs. Sooner if any concern arises.

Answer 3

Possibly pneumonia: I have found that when people have a deep cough associated with pain on taking a deep breath they often times have pneumonia. You should be evaluated by a physician. If this has been a long-term problem then you definitely need to be evaluated as there are other causes.

Answer 4

Hard to say: Any adult has likely had bronchitis several times as a kid & may as an adult. They are often viral, a minor affliction & self heal in a week or two. The lungs heal and life goes on. The level of concern you should have should match the degree of interference this process has with your daily activities. Minor, can be ignored; significant may require a doc visit.

Answer 5

May be normal but: You need to get checked by your doctor. There are lots of possible causes for galactorrhea (leaving milky fluid) and most are easy to deal with. Bottom line - go get a checkup! good luck.

Answer 6

No, of course not: Pneumothorax and hemothorax are two of the known complications that can happen with a lung biopsy if a patient is unlucky. A patient is responsible for his bills if he has a good outcome, a medium outcome, or a bad outcome; as long as it isn't some truly strange case in which the doctor(s) and/or hospital did something unusually bad or criminal.

Answer 7

Keep positive: As noted, pneumothorax and hemothorax known potential complications of lung biopsy. Lung biopsy is often performed on "unhealthy" lung tissue. There is no way to guarantee a "perfect outcome". It sounds as if he is very sick. Our best wishes go to you.

Answer 8

Probably not: this is a known potential complication of having a lung biopsy

Answer 9

Probably not: I presume you we're seen in er. Increased lung markings at the base of lung is probably nothing. I think you should be worried. Anyway you will be going to your doctor, he will be in a better position to help you.

Answer 10

Yes: Ca require small amounts of skin removal for margins then local flap or skin grafts can be used to cover the defect.

Answer 11

Yes--: That's the kind of thing I do very frequently. Small skin cancers on the nose can be removed and reconstructed with local tissue giving an excellent cosmetic result.

Answer 12

Absolutely: Small or large we can remove them or work with a dermatologist and rebuild the nose after the cancer has been removed.

i have finished treatment for stages 3 breast cancer. how often should i be tested to ensure the cancer hasn't returned?

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