Recurrent (Recurring) Breast Cancer

Eribulin is a newer drug (FDA approved for metastatic breast cancer in 2010) that is effective in individuals who have been previously treated with chemotherapy. In a study, known as the EMBRACE trial, women were assigned to receive eribulin or to the treatment chosen by their doctors as predicted to have the best effect. There was a significant survival benefit of about 2.5 months in favor of the eribulin. The drug, derived from sea sponges, works by targeting a scaffolding protein (microtubule) within a cell and interferes with the construction of the scaffolding and stops the cancer cell from dividing. Eribulin is a newer drug (FDA approved for metastatic breast cancer in 2010) that is effective in individuals who have been previously treated with chemotherapy. In a study, known as the EMBRACE trial, women were assigned to receive eribulin or to the treatment chosen by their doctors as predicted to have the best effect. There was a significant survival benefit of about 2.5 months in favor of the eribulin. The drug, derived from sea sponges, works by targeting a scaffolding protein (microtubule) within a cell and interferes with the construction of the scaffolding and stops the cancer cell from dividing.

Without seeing the pathology or other reports, I would suggest twice-yearly exams by your surgeon or oncologist, annual digital mammography for the unaffected breast, and consider MRI and ultrasound as well depending on breast density. Because breast MRI does get some of the chest wall in the images, it can possibly be used to evaluate for chest wall recurrence, although there are some studies suggesting that post-mastectomy MRI is not any better than a careful physical exam. Without seeing the pathology or other reports, I would suggest twice-yearly exams by your surgeon or oncologist, annual digital mammography for the unaffected breast, and consider MRI and ultrasound as well depending on breast density. Because breast MRI does get some of the chest wall in the images, it can possibly be used to evaluate for chest wall recurrence, although there are some studies suggesting that post-mastectomy MRI is not any better than a careful physical exam.