Nearly 10 years ago I had bi-lateral mastectomies for DCIS (non-invasive, stage 0) with no chemo or radiation. Nodes removed on right side, all negative. Recently I had chest x-rays for pneumonia and a CT scan which showed some nodules and ground-glass granulomas. I am due to see a pulmonary doctor regarding a bronchoscopy because of my past history of breast cancer. I am very frightened. Is it likely that the DCIS has spread to the lungs (I was told that it was extremely unlikely given the type of cancer that I had, that it would spread), or could the nodules be caused by the pneumonia infection or something else?

Hi there,

My intention is not to frighten you as your new condition may very well turn out to be nothing serious, but treat it like it is the most important thing in the world. Request a MRI of your lungs. Breast cancer likes to spread to the lungs and it is possible that is what happened to you. (I was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer no node involvement and then less than two years later it was in my lungs, liver, spine and pelvis. I'm only 28.)

How much fluid do you have in your lungs? Are you coughing? If you have your lung drained it will help with the symptoms and a pathologist can analyze the fluid for cancer.

I hope everything turns out to be negative for a recurrence! I'll be thinking of you.

Kalie

In my first note, I should have said I was told it would NOT spread. However, I am certainly taking this VERY seriously and I am having all the tests recommended by my oncologist.

I hope I haven't offended you with my suggestions. It's just that there are many of us out here who were told our cancer wouldn't spread only to be faced with it again. I certainly hope this is not the case for you.

Kalie

Thanks, Kalie. You could not frighten me any more than I already am. I completely understand and I am very concerned that mine has come back. Believe me, I did not get any guarantees that it would not be back. Nothing is 100% sure. My best to you and thanks for caring.