recurrent breast cancer in tram flap

[scotty457]

I was just diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer in the tram flap site. Now I will need to have more surgery to remove the area and have radiation. How common is this reoccurrence and what can I expect as far as recovery and further cancer is concerned? I don't understand how estrogen/progesterone cancer can occur in non-breast tissue. Can you enlighten me?Also, I had chemotherapy with the tram flap episode- does this mean that the chemo was not effective in killing the cancer cells? The pathology report on the first surgery said clear margins. One of ten nodes was involved with the first breast cancer episode.

[Denise L. Johnson, M.D.]

This is very uncommon but does occur when all of the breast tissue is not removed.

It is difficult to remove all of the breast tissue with mastectomies.  At this time it is important to restage the tumor and look at the receptor status.  You will need additional systemic treatment, radiation and surgery.  Also did your doctors stage the tumor?

[scotty457]

Thank you for your prompt response. Yes, it has been restaged at a 2(same as before) and the receptor status was the same as well. I just had CAt scan looking for mets- don't have the results back yet. Surgery and radiation are the recommendations so far. Would lyou recommend cehemotherapy as well?