ask: what is the percentage of reacuring after a lumpectamy of a ductal carcinoma ?

Hi Anon

Unfortunately there are no conclusive statistics out there that can answer this question because there are so many variables involved.

Can you tell us your situation a little more? How long ago was your diagnosis and what did you also have radiation or chemo in addition to the lumpectomy?

It is often thought that cancer closest to the breast has a less chance of returning that cancer further way (closer to the arm pit, for example).

Some women want chemo or radiation in addition to a lumpectomy in order to kill any "stray" cells that might have metastasized (spread). Cancer spreads two ways - via the blood or via the lymph nodes, which is why you often here of many lymph nodes also being removed during a lumpectomy. Did you have any nodes removed? Do you know the size of what was removed?

A woman who has had breast cancer in one breast, has an increased risk of getting it in the other breast.

If you are taking hormone replacement therapy and have a personal history of breast cancer, you are at risk and should talk to your doctor before continuing these therapies.

And please remember that follow up and lifetime vigilance is crucial.

As you can see, there are many factors around breast cancer than can increase or decrease the risks of the cancer returning and none of these factors can guarantee an answer. Can you tell us a little more about your particular case and answer some of these questions?

In the meantime, check out our Empowher HerNews stories on breast cancer recurrence:

http://www.empowher.com/news/2008/05/31/bone-drug-lowers-risk-breast-can...

http://www.empowher.com/news/2009/02/17/menopause-drug-tied-breast-cance...

http://www.empowher.com/news/2008/03/06/estrogen-levels-blood-predict-br...

We look forward to hearing from you!