Does skin cancer after breast cancer treatment mean the treatment wasn't effective?

4 answers | Last updated: Dec 17, 2011
charbo61 asked...
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Caring.com User - Jessica Krant
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Jessica J. Krant, MD, MPH, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology, including Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery. In addition...
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answered...

Skin cancer can form after breast cancer, but I am not sure that is technically what happened in your mom's case. It sounds like she possibly had some radiation See also:
How do we decide when to stop chemotherapy that's not working?
dermatitis after the original treatment, which is unfortunately common, but then possibly the original breast cancer itself spread to the skin. This is confusing because cancer is really identified by what cell it originates from, not necessarily where it is in the body.

I think it sounds like your mother had breast cancer cells IN the skin, rather than skin cancer itself, which is caused by cells that live in the skin and look different from breast cancer cells. Of course, without seeing it myself, I can not be sure.

Skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma most likely) could possibly develop after damage to the skin from the radiation treatment, and lowering of her immune system by all this difficult chemo, but it usually would not occur right away, and would look different to the pathologist.

I see that your mom is having a tough time going through all this, and I am sure you are, too. Hang in there and remember you can always see a board-certified dermatologist for anything that develops with her skin or outer mucous membranes (mouth, genital area) to get some comfort while trying to get through the treatments.

 

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charbo61 answered...

Thank you Jessica - mum's skin problem was breast cancer origin. We lost her over a year ago in October. Mum started 3rd line chemo but she had an an infection and when chemo stopped - she succumbed to her illness. We missed her so and she battled so bravely. I am very sorry for not getting back but it was a crazy time in our life and i was flying across oceans for a mad period of time tending to her but we lost her. She is now safe in God's arms and at peace. Dear Georgina - be strong and positive. Take care.

 

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An anonymous caregiver answered...

Breast cancer can come back in any place of the body and after 10, 26 years. Skin cancer is diferent, it can be melanoma, or others, they are not breast cancer in the skin, I had breast cancer in 1993,mastectomy and chemo. 4 months ago I had Mohs surgery for skin cancer, Basal cell carcinoma. I have dark hair,pale skin, never have tanned,avoid the outdoors because I live in TX is too hot. Why did I get it? Maybe I more suceptible to it. I have a huge scar on my face, it has affected me more that breast cancer. Doctors and people minimize this cancer, calling it "a good cancer"because rarely kills, but the scars? one is left deformed and affects even work. Not to mention the pain and just waiting to reocurr again.

 

 
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