Is recurrence more likely when malignant cells are found in lymph nodes?
Yes. Tumor cells found in the lymph nodes are a negative prognostic factor, which would lead to a diagnosis of Stage II or III disease as opposed to Stage I. Even when the cancer seems to have been completely removed or destroyed, the disease sometimes returns because undetected cancer cells remained somewhere in the body after treatment. A doctor will monitor recovery and check for recurrence of the cancer. What treatments are available for breast cancer that has spread to the bones? We consider treatment based on the cancer cells. It could be hormonal, chemo or biological—herceptin or lapatinib—depending on the tumor type and the woman’s symptoms. However, bisphosphonates, which are given for bone health, have been shown to decrease the risk of pain and fracture, so these are often given to women with cancer in the bones. Is there any new research that is promising for women who have breast cancer in their bones? Yes. We are looking at ways to decrease spread to the bones using the b
