Stage II Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Melissa's Survivor Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage II
- Biomarkers
- Triple-negative breast cancer; BRCA testing negative; NBN gene mutation identified on later testing
- Sex
- Female
- Treatment
- surgery, chemotherapy and reconstruction
- Outcome
- Treatment Completed / Survivorship
Treatment course, step by step
- Left mastectomy with removal of all left axillary lymph nodes and port placement during pregnancy → chemotherapy beginning in the second trimester: 6 ACF infusions every 2 weeks, including 5-FU and Adriamycin delivered through a 72-hour take-home pump; Taxol was not used during pregnancy → later right prophylactic mastectomy with bilateral DIEP-flap reconstruction after an NBN mutation was found.
What happened, in summary
Melissa found a growing, painless lump in her left breast while breastfeeding her 1-year-old daughter. Testing confirmed stage 2B triple-negative breast cancer, and she soon learned that she was pregnant with her second child. She was in her late 20s and had to make treatment decisions around both her cancer and the pregnancy.
Her first genetic test was negative for BRCA mutations. She underwent a left mastectomy with removal of the lymph nodes under her left arm and placement of a chemotherapy port. A few days later, severe chest pain led to an emergency visit and a pulmonary embolism diagnosis. She remained on blood-thinning injections for the rest of the pregnancy and for 6 weeks afterward.
Chemotherapy began once she reached the second trimester. Melissa received 6 ACF infusions 2 weeks apart. The regimen included 5-FU, while Adriamycin was delivered through a 72-hour take-home pump; Taxol was avoided during pregnancy. Treatment caused hair loss, fatigue, nausea, constipation, anemia, rash and concentration problems.
Later genetic testing found an NBN mutation. After living with one breast for about 18 months, Melissa chose a right risk-reducing mastectomy and bilateral DIEP-flap reconstruction during a single 6-hour operation. At the time of the story, treatment was behind her, both daughters were doing well, and she encouraged other parents to accept help and focus on one stage at a time.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by The Patient Story. Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer