Has anyone had melanoma spread to breast tissue?

I had melanoma develop on my left breast, three years after the initial (Feb 2005) finding on my left midriff area.  After the innitial WLE and SNB (Feb 2005), two nodes were detected.   Six months (Sep 2005) later I had a total LND which resulted in showing no further node involvement.  I did not choose to do interferon.

At three years later (Oct 2008), after several recurrences that were noticed on top of the surface,  over almost a year;s duration, the decision was made to have a mastectomy when the recurrence travelled to the middle of the breast, near the sternum.

The mastectomy removed my entire breast and skin, resulting in the need to have a skin graft taken from my left thigh to cover the area.   The skin graft wound was a rough recovery.   The chest wound, while dramatic and needed changing of bandaging every day, did not cause me much discomfort at all.   The recovery period for this approach was a good four to five weeks.   Again I chose not to do interferon and was not offered any trial options.

Since then, my surgeon/oncologist retired and my care was transferred to Roswell Park Cancer Institue, where I am seen annually.  At the last visit, I was told at the ten year mark I would no longer be observed annually.   I can't believe SO many years have gone by since my initial reaching out to this forum.

Christine, I know my situation of melanoma "on" my breast is different than your detection.  I hope you find yourself in good hands, getting good advice and care.   It does become confusing to peope to understand you do not have "breast" cancer, but melanoma that has spread to your breast.   I did find much help post surgery from breast cancer support groups, however, but I would find myself having to explain my situation.

CarolA

Amherst, NY

I had melanoma develop on my left breast, three years after the initial (Feb 2005) finding on my left midriff area.  After the innitial WLE and SNB (Feb 2005), two nodes were detected.   Six months (Sep 2005) later I had a total LND which resulted in showing no further node involvement.  I did not choose to do interferon.

At three years later (Oct 2008), after several recurrences that were noticed on top of the surface,  over almost a year;s duration, the decision was made to have a mastectomy when the recurrence travelled to the middle of the breast, near the sternum.

The mastectomy removed my entire breast and skin, resulting in the need to have a skin graft taken from my left thigh to cover the area.   The skin graft wound was a rough recovery.   The chest wound, while dramatic and needed changing of bandaging every day, did not cause me much discomfort at all.   The recovery period for this approach was a good four to five weeks.   Again I chose not to do interferon and was not offered any trial options.

Since then, my surgeon/oncologist retired and my care was transferred to Roswell Park Cancer Institue, where I am seen annually.  At the last visit, I was told at the ten year mark I would no longer be observed annually.   I can't believe SO many years have gone by since my initial reaching out to this forum.

Christine, I know my situation of melanoma "on" my breast is different than your detection.  I hope you find yourself in good hands, getting good advice and care.   It does become confusing to peope to understand you do not have "breast" cancer, but melanoma that has spread to your breast.   I did find much help post surgery from breast cancer support groups, however, but I would find myself having to explain my situation.

CarolA

Amherst, NY

I had melanoma develop on my left breast, three years after the initial (Feb 2005) finding on my left midriff area.  After the innitial WLE and SNB (Feb 2005), two nodes were detected.   Six months (Sep 2005) later I had a total LND which resulted in showing no further node involvement.  I did not choose to do interferon.

At three years later (Oct 2008), after several recurrences that were noticed on top of the surface,  over almost a year;s duration, the decision was made to have a mastectomy when the recurrence travelled to the middle of the breast, near the sternum.

The mastectomy removed my entire breast and skin, resulting in the need to have a skin graft taken from my left thigh to cover the area.   The skin graft wound was a rough recovery.   The chest wound, while dramatic and needed changing of bandaging every day, did not cause me much discomfort at all.   The recovery period for this approach was a good four to five weeks.   Again I chose not to do interferon and was not offered any trial options.

Since then, my surgeon/oncologist retired and my care was transferred to Roswell Park Cancer Institue, where I am seen annually.  At the last visit, I was told at the ten year mark I would no longer be observed annually.   I can't believe SO many years have gone by since my initial reaching out to this forum.

Christine, I know my situation of melanoma "on" my breast is different than your detection.  I hope you find yourself in good hands, getting good advice and care.   It does become confusing to peope to understand you do not have "breast" cancer, but melanoma that has spread to your breast.   I did find much help post surgery from breast cancer support groups, however, but I would find myself having to explain my situation.

CarolA

Amherst, NY

I too have experienced melanoma in my right breast. I've had about 15  tumors removed over the past five years, all located on the right side of my trunk up into my armpit.  I've had  about five removed from  my right breast.  About two years ago, I had a CLND of the right axillary, with about 34 lymph nodes removed and most involved with melanoma, but no masectomy or any suggestion of that.  Early on when I was first diagnosed I had biopsies, breast MRI's, mammograms, ultra sound, along with the PET/CT scans, but now when a new tumor pops up, it is just assumed it's melanoma.  However, this causes difficulties between OB/GYN and my oncologist as OB/GYN wants there own studies done to confirm melanoma.   I've had many surgeries to remove tumors as they either fail to respond to treatment or they become symptomatic .  Oddly, both my breasts are pretty close in size and shape despite all the surgeries.  However, CLND did create a void in my armpit and my right breast does not fill out that area the same as the left, a small price to pay compared to so many others.  It is confusing to others, even those in the medical profession,  that think it's breast cancer once it's located there and sometimes very frustrating to explain to others how this disease shows up wherever it wants to, but  is still melanoma regardless of where it has settled.  I'm currently set to go in the TIL at SCCA and as of this September, I am currently NED!  I'm just one more unique situation in the battle with melanoma!  I hope this helps!  Good Luck!

Swanee

I too have experienced melanoma in my right breast. I've had about 15  tumors removed over the past five years, all located on the right side of my trunk up into my armpit.  I've had  about five removed from  my right breast.  About two years ago, I had a CLND of the right axillary, with about 34 lymph nodes removed and most involved with melanoma, but no masectomy or any suggestion of that.  Early on when I was first diagnosed I had biopsies, breast MRI's, mammograms, ultra sound, along with the PET/CT scans, but now when a new tumor pops up, it is just assumed it's melanoma.  However, this causes difficulties between OB/GYN and my oncologist as OB/GYN wants there own studies done to confirm melanoma.   I've had many surgeries to remove tumors as they either fail to respond to treatment or they become symptomatic .  Oddly, both my breasts are pretty close in size and shape despite all the surgeries.  However, CLND did create a void in my armpit and my right breast does not fill out that area the same as the left, a small price to pay compared to so many others.  It is confusing to others, even those in the medical profession,  that think it's breast cancer once it's located there and sometimes very frustrating to explain to others how this disease shows up wherever it wants to, but  is still melanoma regardless of where it has settled.  I'm currently set to go in the TIL at SCCA and as of this September, I am currently NED!  I'm just one more unique situation in the battle with melanoma!  I hope this helps!  Good Luck!

Swanee

I too have experienced melanoma in my right breast. I've had about 15  tumors removed over the past five years, all located on the right side of my trunk up into my armpit.  I've had  about five removed from  my right breast.  About two years ago, I had a CLND of the right axillary, with about 34 lymph nodes removed and most involved with melanoma, but no masectomy or any suggestion of that.  Early on when I was first diagnosed I had biopsies, breast MRI's, mammograms, ultra sound, along with the PET/CT scans, but now when a new tumor pops up, it is just assumed it's melanoma.  However, this causes difficulties between OB/GYN and my oncologist as OB/GYN wants there own studies done to confirm melanoma.   I've had many surgeries to remove tumors as they either fail to respond to treatment or they become symptomatic .  Oddly, both my breasts are pretty close in size and shape despite all the surgeries.  However, CLND did create a void in my armpit and my right breast does not fill out that area the same as the left, a small price to pay compared to so many others.  It is confusing to others, even those in the medical profession,  that think it's breast cancer once it's located there and sometimes very frustrating to explain to others how this disease shows up wherever it wants to, but  is still melanoma regardless of where it has settled.  I'm currently set to go in the TIL at SCCA and as of this September, I am currently NED!  I'm just one more unique situation in the battle with melanoma!  I hope this helps!  Good Luck!

Swanee