I have had MBC for 7 years still on my first line of treatment (Ibrance/Letrozole) my PET scan in September showed the tumor in my breast has increased in size and the cancer has gone into a lymph node under my armpit. Today I met with a surgeon and will have a double mastectomy in early January. My oncologist said she never had a patient that has been metastatic free for this long and just now the tumor is no longer stable. Has anyone else had a mastectomy after being diagnosed MBC?
Thank you
I’m no expert and always look to this board for wisdom of others, and I believe the consensus is once metastatic- surgery is unnecessary trauma.
I’m guessing because of your good fortune of remaining on first line treatment for such a lengthy period your onc sees this route beneficial for you? Cancer is complicated (yep… penny dropped) stage 4 isn’t one thing it’s cells, the whack a mole analogy is IT in a nutshell and very rarely are 2 cases the same.. we all have different factors. I still find it complicated and still do not understand Er+ ER- ect… guess I probably don’t really want to!
In that 7 year did they say you were in remission or no evidence of disease? So happy for you to have had that. Chin up and I do hope someone with similar experience can help you.
Nx
Thank you. For the first three years I was NED. My oncologist and surgeon said they had never seen a case like mine and they both feel the surgery could prolong my life. I also have a genetic mutation called ATM which could cause me to keep getting breast tumors in both breast’s. I’m hoping this works!
7 years is exceptional, good for you! May I ask where your initial mets was - I assume you were diagnosed de nova (no prior history of bresst cancer and then found with mets). Wish you the best surgical experience and complication-free recovery. Let us know how your doing. Mary 🌺
I was diagnosed de novo, and I had one met on my acetabulum that was 1 cm.
Sounds like the surgery would be a good option in your case. Good luck!
Thank you, I hope so!
Although I have not had this experience, I am sending you prayers that this surgery will be very successful and that you will have many more good years.
Thank you.
I have been metastatic free for almost 6 years and I have heard of someone metastatic free for longer than yourself, but 7 years is great.
I am grateful for this long, I am very nervous for the surgery! I have been a type 1 diabetic for 44 years and that concerns me but my surgeon, oncologist and endocrinologist are not concerned at all !! So fingers crossed!
I will be thinking of you. I am type 2 diabetic now. Had surgery on my vocal cord after pandemic which went well. Because of lung mets my left vocal cord was paralyzed and it was difficult to speak. My voice was terrible . I waited 2 years, because of the pandemic, to have the surgery but it restored my voice.
Happy to hear that you got your voice back! Thank you for your good wishes!
Has anyone here had mbc for 5 years or more 
Mammogram with MBC
Mom has stage 4 mbc. looking for hope. 
Link between MBC Progression, Fatty Liver & Liver Enzymes?
10 years of MBC- tumor markers creeping up.
